TMJ / Jaw Pain
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the hinge where your jaw meets your skull, just in front of the ear. TMJ disorders (TMD) cause jaw pain, clicking, popping, locking and trouble chewing. LOR Physical Therapy treats jaw pain in Laguna Niguel, and one of our patients now chews dried fruit and tough bread with ease.
Symptoms that point to the jaw
TMD shows up in more ways than a sore jaw.
- Jaw pain, or jaw pain when chewing
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw locking or trouble opening wide
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ear
- Headaches, often at the temples
What sets off TMJ pain
The jaw joint is small and works hard: you use it every time you speak, chew and swallow.
Clenching and teeth grinding
Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, often at night, overloads the joint and the muscles around it.
Stress, posture and the neck
A head carried forward and a tense neck change how the jaw sits, so treating the neck is part of treating the jaw.
Injury and arthritis
A blow to the jaw or wear in the joint can start the pain or keep it going.
“PT has been great. I had never thought about all the ways I could treat my limited mobility/pain with solutions other than meds or surgery. I’m thankful that Susan has taught me ways to take care of and strengthen not only my jaw, but my posture, stress and wellness too. …”
How physical therapy works with your dentist
Many people with jaw pain also see a dentist and wear a night guard. Physical therapy works alongside both: we treat the muscles, the joint movement, the neck and the habits that keep the jaw clenched, and your dentist keeps managing your bite.
Your plan can include hands-on care, jaw exercises, posture work and relaxation to ease clenching. LOR also has a jaw packet of questions to fill in before your first visit on our forms page.
Questions about jaw pain
Why does my jaw click or pop?
Jaw popping and clicking come from the disc and joint moving unevenly as you open and close. It is only a problem if it hurts or limits movement.
What is lockjaw?
Lockjaw, a jaw that locks or will not open wide, can come from the disc catching or from muscle guarding. If your jaw is stuck open or shut, get it checked promptly.
What does TMJ physical therapy involve?
TMJ physical therapy starts with how your jaw, neck and posture move, then uses hands-on care, jaw exercises and habits that ease clenching. It works alongside your dentist.
Related care
Jaw pain care in Laguna Niguel, California
LOR Physical Therapy treats jaw pain at our Laguna Niguel clinic, 31271 Niguel Road, Suite J, for patients across South Orange County.
Whether your insurance plan needs a referral differs from plan to plan: call the number on your insurance card to check, or call us before your first visit and we will help you find out.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.