TMJ Disorder: Jaw Pain That Affects Your Whole Body
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder causes pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. It can also cause headaches, ear pain, neck tension, and clicking in the jaw.
At AlterPhysio Amsterdam, we treat TMJ disorder with physiotherapy and acupuncture. In addition, we address the neck and upper back involvement that frequently contributes.
Common Causes of TMJ Disorder
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
In addition, Bruxism, or grinding and clenching the teeth, is a leading cause of TMJ disorder. It is often stress-related and occurs mainly during sleep.
Moreover, the excessive muscle activity overloads the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Physiotherapy reduces muscle tension and improves joint mechanics effectively.
Postural Factors
Forward head posture places increased load on the jaw joint and neck muscles. Correcting posture is a key component of successful TMJ treatment.
Furthermore, the jaw and upper cervical spine are closely interconnected. Problems in one area often drive symptoms in the other.
Joint Disc Displacement
The TMJ contains a disc that can become displaced, causing clicking, locking, or pain. Physiotherapy can restore normal disc mechanics in many cases.
Physiotherapy Treatment for TMJ Disorder
Joint Mobilisation
Gentle mobilisation of the temporomandibular joint restores normal movement. It reduces locking, clicking, and the restricted mouth opening that TMJ causes.
Additionally, treatment of the upper cervical spine improves jaw mechanics indirectly. The two areas function together as a system.
Muscle Release and Dry Needling
The masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles often hold chronic tension in TMJ disorder. Soft tissue release and dry needling provide significant and rapid pain relief.
Therefore, many patients notice immediate improvement in jaw movement after their first session. A course of treatment typically produces lasting results.
Exercise and Postural Retraining
As a result, Specific jaw and neck exercises restore muscle balance and prevent recurrence. We teach you a home programme tailored to your specific presentation.
Acupuncture for Jaw Pain
Acupuncture is highly effective for reducing the muscular pain and tension of TMJ disorder. It targets the jaw muscles directly and reduces the stress that drives bruxism.
Notably, combining acupuncture with physiotherapy produces faster and more complete results. Both are available at our Amsterdam clinic.
Book Your TMJ Assessment in Amsterdam
Equally important, Jaw pain, headaches, and restricted mouth opening do not have to be permanent. Our AlterPhysio Amsterdam team specialises in effective TMJ treatment.
nWritten by Hidekazu Kuwabara, Registered Physiotherapist (BIG-registered, Amsterdam)
Hidekazu has over 10 years of clinical experience in physiotherapy and acupuncture. He specialises in musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, and integrative East-West medicine at Alter Physio & Acupuncture, Amsterdam.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or treatment.
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Written by Hidekazu Kuwabara, Registered Physiotherapist (BIG-registered, Amsterdam)
Hidekazu has over 10 years of clinical experience in physiotherapy and acupuncture. He specialises in musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, and integrative East-West medicine at Alter Physio & Acupuncture, Amsterdam.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or treatment.
Written by Hidekazu Kuwabara, Registered Physiotherapist (BIG-registered, Amsterdam)
Hidekazu has over 10 years of clinical experience in physiotherapy and acupuncture. He specialises in musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, and integrative East-West medicine at Alter Physio & Acupuncture, Amsterdam.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or treatment.
Written by Hidekazu Kuwabara, Registered Physiotherapist (BIG-registered, Amsterdam)
Hidekazu has over 10 years of clinical experience in physiotherapy and acupuncture. He specialises in musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, and integrative East-West medicine at Alter Physio & Acupuncture, Amsterdam.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or treatment.
Written by Hidekazu Kuwabara, Registered Physiotherapist (BIG-registered, Amsterdam)
Hidekazu has over 10 years of clinical experience in physiotherapy and acupuncture. He specialises in musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, and integrative East-West medicine at Alter Physio & Acupuncture, Amsterdam.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or treatment.
