You feel pain in your jaw joint when you chew or talk. You even feel pain radiating into your head, which has triggered some headaches. What is behind your symptoms? One answer is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. 

TMJ dysfunction occurs when a part of your jaw joint becomes injured, damaged or inflamed. Symptoms often include those described above. Other common symptoms of this issue include neck pain, difficulty moving your jaw, clicking or popping sounds, and swelling. One medical study reports that about 33% of people currently have at least one TMJ dysfunction symptom. One place you can turn for TMJ dysfunction treatment is a physical therapy clinic near you. 

Three reasons to seek TMJ dysfunction treatment from a physical therapist near you

Proximity is important when people are seeking TMJ dysfunction treatment, and most people want the treatment site to be nearby if possible. For urban and suburban patients, this isn’t usually an issue. Rural patients also have easier access to physical therapists who can help treat TMJ dysfunction thanks to the recent expansion of virtual physical therapy. 

However, proximity isn’t the only thing you should consider when looking for TMJ dysfunction treatment near you. Other reasons you should think about working with a physical therapist include: 

1. They know TMJ anatomy — Physical therapists are extensively trained in the anatomy and conditions of the jaw joint and other body parts. This knowledge is useful to your physical therapist when they’re diagnosing your jaw issue. It’s also vital to their ability to create an effective treatment plan for you. 

2. They can help cut pain — No one likes to endure pain. That’s especially true when the pain is located in your jaw. Physical therapists offer multiple treatment techniques that can help slash your TMJ dysfunction pain. Dry needling is one such treatment technique. One TMJ dysfunction study reveals that dry needling helped patients reduce their pain by 68% on average. Manual therapy and therapeutic exercises are also helpful pain-reducing techniques for this condition. 

3. They can offer avoidance tips — You probably don’t want to develop TMJ dysfunction again once it has resolved. However, it is possible for this condition’s symptoms to reappear when people are stressed. Physical therapists can offer tips intended to help you avoid such a recurrence. Some tips your physical therapist might offer include: 

• Checking and addressing jaw tension when you are stressed. 
• Trying not to grind your teeth during stressful times. 

Rehab Access offers top-notch TMJ dysfunction treatment near you

Trying to find TMJ dysfunction treatment near your home in Gretna or Belle Chasse, Louisiana? You’re in luck. Rehab Access Physical Therapy has clinics that serve both of these communities. You can start your treatment by coming into one of our clinics for a free screening. Then, our physical therapists can create a treatment plan that’s designed to be both unique and beneficial for you. 

Contact our team today for more information about our TMJ dysfunction treatment options or to schedule your initial appointment.