Temporomandibular Pain and Dysfunction (TMD/TMJ)
Get relief from jaw pain with our physical therapy treatments.
Experiencing pain in your jaw can significantly impact your daily life, from eating to speaking. Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) involves discomfort and compromised movement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. At Beyond Basics, we provide specialized physical therapy to address TMD and TMJ-related pain through a comprehensive approach that relieves jaw pain and restores function.
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD & TMJ Disorders)
TMD can involve many symptoms, including:
- Pain in the jaw, especially near the TMJ joint
- Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the TMJ when opening or closing your mouth
- Locking of the jaw or limited movement in your jaw
- Ear pain or feeling of fullness
- Frequent headaches or neck pain
- Tenderness in your jaw muscles and TMJ area
Causes of Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD & TMJ Issues)
The causes of TMD and TMJ dysfunction can involve many different factors, often resulting from a combination of muscle, joint, and behavioral elements:
- Muscle Tension and Tightness: Excessive tightness in the jaw and TMJ muscles can restrict movement and cause pain.
- Misalignment: Improper alignment of the jaw, teeth, or TMJ joint can strain muscles and joints.
- Stress-Induced Habits: Clenching or grinding teeth, often related to stress, can aggravate TMJ dysfunction.
- Inflammation: Inflammation in the TMJ joint or surrounding muscles can lead to pain and restricted function.
How Physical Therapy Can Help with TMD & TMJ Dysfunction
At Beyond Basics, we understand the impact TMD and TMJ disorders can have on your daily activities and quality of life. Our physical therapy treatments are designed to address the specific causes of your symptoms and provide long-term relief.
- Alleviate pain and discomfort in the TMJ, jaw, and surrounding areas
- Increase mobility and ease of movement in the TMJ joint
- Reduce inflammation and muscle tension in the jaw and neck
- Educate on behaviors and strategies to prevent future TMJ dysfunction
Did You Know TMD and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Are Connected
Most people don’t realize that jaw tension and pelvic floor dysfunction are often linked. The TMJ, diaphragm, and pelvic floor work together through a complex system of muscles, fascia, and nerves. When one area experiences tightness or dysfunction, it can trigger issues in another part of the body.
How Are the Jaw and Pelvis Connected?
- Fascial Link: The body’s connective tissue (fascia) forms a continuous network from the TMJ to the pelvis, meaning tension in one area can pull on another.
- Postural Influence: Poor posture, such as forward head posture, shifts spinal alignment, which can create pelvic instability and tension.
- Nervous System Response: The jaw and pelvic floor are both stress-responsive. Clenching the TMJ often coincides with pelvic floor muscle tightness, leading to discomfort or dysfunction.
- Breathing Patterns: Shallow breathing or holding tension in the diaphragm can affect both TMJ and pelvic floor muscles, leading to chronic pain or tightness.
Could This Be Affecting You?
Many people with TMD and TMJ dysfunction also experience symptoms like:
- Pelvic pain or discomfort
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Lower back or hip pain
- Tightness in the neck, shoulders, or diaphragm
At Beyond Basics, we take a whole-body approach to treating TMD, TMJ dysfunction, and related musculoskeletal issues, ensuring that all postural and muscular influences are addressed for long-term relief.
What to Expect During Your Sessions
During Your Initial Appointment
Your first appointment includes an evaluation of your jaw and any related symptoms you experience. We’ll examine both the external and internal aspects of jaw function to pinpoint areas of tension, misalignment, or dysfunction. With your consent, gentle manual techniques will be used to explore and treat the affected areas.
During Your Additional Appointments
After your initial appointment, additional sessions will include manual therapy, specialized exercises, and practical advice to improve jaw function and reduce your symptoms. Our goal is not only to treat TMD and TMJ dysfunction but to provide you with the knowledge and tools for lasting relief.
Client Testimonials
Beyond Basics: We Can Help
At Beyond Basics, we are committed to treating TMD and other health conditions with sensitivity to each individual’s needs, regardless of sex, race, identity, age, or orientation – we treat the whole person with a comprehensive, caring biopsychosocial approach.
Since 2003, Beyond Basics has been a place of hope and healing for our patients. We believe skilled and compassionate healing can restore your body’s harmony and balance. Founder, Amy Stein, and co-founder, Corey Hazama are renowned experts and leaders in pelvic floor PT.
The skilled physical therapists at Beyond Basics receive extensive training to qualify them to be the world’s leaders in pelvic floor rehabilitation. All of our therapists have been carefully selected to work at Beyond Basics because they possess the right expertise, kindness, and empathy to allow them to excel at our practice. Our therapists have completed hundreds of additional hours outside of their doctorates both internally and externally through institutes such as Herman and Wallace and the American Physical Therapy Association, to help hone their practice and provide exceptional treatment efficiently and compassionately. In addition to being the world’s first and foremost experts in pelvic floor dysfunction, our individual therapists have cultivated additional skills unique to their own personal interests. Read more about each one of our therapists here.
Get help now from a pelvic floor therapist.
Temporomandibular Pain and Dysfunction (TMD/TMJ)
— Beyond Basics PT | Pelvic Floor Therapy NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction?
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction, often referred to as TMD, is a condition affecting the joint that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. It can lead to pain, restricted movement, and discomfort in the TMJ, jaw, and surrounding areas. TMD encompasses several disorders that can cause dysfunction in jaw movement and overall facial pain.
How Can Physical Therapy Provide Pain Relief for TMD & TMJ Disorders?
Physical therapy offers pain relief by addressing the root causes of TMD and TMJ dysfunction through targeted exercises and manual therapies. By relaxing tense muscles, improving alignment, and enhancing the function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), physical therapy can significantly reduce symptoms and facilitate smoother jaw movement.
Are There Any Specific Exercises to Help Control Jaw Movement in TMJ Disorders?
Yes, during your physical therapy sessions, specific exercises will be prescribed to strengthen and relax your jaw muscles, helping to control jaw movement. These exercises improve the coordination and functioning of the TMJ and reduce symptoms associated with TMJ disorders.
What Are Some Lifestyle Changes I Can Make to Manage TMD & TMJ Symptoms?
Practicing relaxation techniques to reduce jaw clenching, eating soft foods to minimize jaw strain, and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are some of the lifestyle changes that can help. At Beyond Basics, our team will discuss additional steps you can take in your daily life to manage and eliminate TMJ-related symptoms.
Can TMD Lead to Chronic Facial Pain?
Yes, if left untreated, TMD and TMJ dysfunction can turn into chronic facial pain. Ongoing dysfunction of the TMJcan place prolonged stress on the jaw muscles and surrounding tissues, leading to persistent pain. Early treatment, such as physical therapy, is essential in preventing the progression to chronic pain.
What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Relation to TMD & TMJ Disorders?
Myofascial Pain Syndrome often occurs alongside TMD, characterized by pain and tenderness in the muscles that control jaw movement. This syndrome can affect the facial muscles and significantly contribute to overall pain associated with TMJ disorders. Physical therapy focusing on relieving myofascial pain can be particularly beneficial in managing TMD and TMJ dysfunction.
How Are the Pelvic Floor and TMJ Connected?
The jaw (TMJ), diaphragm, and pelvic floor are all part of a muscular and fascial system that influences posture, breathing, and movement. When one area experiences tightness or dysfunction, it can create compensatory patterns elsewhere. For example, jaw clenching or poor posture can contribute to pelvic floor tension, and pelvic misalignment can affect jaw mechanics. Addressing both areas through physical therapy helps restore balance and relieve symptoms.
Can Treating My Pelvic Floor Help with TMJ Pain?
Yes. Since the pelvic floor and TMJ are connected through posture, nervous system regulation, and fascial connections, treating pelvic floor dysfunction can reduce tension in the jaw and improve TMJ-related pain. Techniques such as breathwork, postural corrections, and manual therapy can help alleviate symptoms in both areas. At Beyond Basics, our whole-body approach ensures that all underlying musculoskeletal influences are considered in your treatment plan.
