Jaw joint therapy
Nowadays, we are increasingly confronted with jaw with joint complaints: difficulty opening the mouth, clicking jaw joint, teeth grinding, muscle tension around the jaw joint. With manual therapy treatment and complementary therapies, we can effectively reduce or even eliminate these complaints.
Structure of the jaw joint therapy
At the first appointment, the therapist takes a detailed history, listens to the patient's complaints and medical history, followed by a detailed postural analysis, as TMJ complaints are very often associated with postural problems such as scoliosis. We also examine the jaw joint mechanics, range of motion, and the condition of the muscles that move the joint.
We will then discuss the abnormalities found during the examination and the therapeutic options. Ideally, treatment can be started.
What does jaw joint therapy look like in practice?
During the test, the muscles that move the jaw joint we are looking for pain points, these are called trigger points. The treatments are always wearing rubber gloves. We will treat the trigger points in the muscles with pressure, going up to a maximum of 7 on a scale of 10, and treating a muscle for about 10 minutes. A trigger point therapy the muscle relaxes and the pain is reduced.
After the muscles are treated, joint mobilisation follows. After this, the patient is given homework, a self-therapy that plays a major role in recovery.
Tímea Szentpétery
Physiotherapist
The treatment can be complemented by a number of other therapies:
- Physical therapy
- Posture correction, scoliosis treatment
- TAPE treatment
- Physiotherapy: TENS, ultrasound and laser
In which cases can jaw joint therapy help?
- Sore jaw joint
- Jaw joint movement restriction - mouth opening disorder
- Gritting your teeth
- Clicking joint
- Joint problems after dislocation
- Movement restrictions after oral surgery
- Joint lock