Treatment for TMJ Disorder

A woman with brown hair in a blue athletic jacket is gently touching her neck, with her eyes closed, in a calm and peaceful moment indoors.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull and plays a key role in speaking, chewing, and facial movement. TMJ Dysfunction happens when this joint or the muscles around it become irritated, inflamed, or misaligned.

You may be dealing with TMJ if you experience:

  • Jaw pain or tenderness

  • Clicking, popping, or grinding when opening your mouth

  • Limited jaw movement or locking

  • Facial pain or tension

  • Frequent headaches or earaches

  • Pain while chewing or speaking

  • Neck, upper back, or shoulder tightness

TMJ dysfunction can be caused by:

  • Poor posture (especially forward head posture)

  • Teeth grinding or jaw clenching (bruxism)

  • Stress or muscle tension

  • Dental misalignment

  • Injury or overuse

A woman lies on a massage table with eyes closed, receiving a neck and shoulder massage from a therapist. She is wearing a blue athletic top and matching leggings.

How We Treat It

At CHA Physical Therapy, we provide non-invasive, drug-free TMJ treatment tailored to your symptoms and root cause. Our goal is to restore pain-free jaw movement while improving posture, muscle balance, and joint alignment.

Your personalized TMJ therapy may include:

  • Manual Therapy for the Jaw & Neck – Gentle hands-on techniques to release tight muscles and restore normal joint mechanics

  • Postural Correction Exercises – Improve head and neck alignment to reduce strain on the TMJ

  • Myofascial Release – Targeting trigger points in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders

  • Jaw Mobility & Stability Training – Correct movement patterns and reduce joint stress

  • Relaxation & Breathing Techniques – Reduce muscle tension from stress or clenching

  • Home Exercise Plan – Reinforce progress and prevent flare-ups between visits

We also focus on educating you about lifestyle factors such as posture, stress management, and sleep habits that impact jaw health and overall comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions about TMJ Physical Therapy:

  • TMJ issues can manifest in various ways. You might experience pain or discomfort in your jaw, face, or neck, have trouble chewing, or suffer from headaches. A common sign is a popping or clicking sound when you move your jaw. Some people also find their jaw locks up or notice a change in how their upper and lower teeth align.

  • For most people, TMJ issues can be successfully treated and resolved without surgery. However, for some, these problems can be chronic or come back repeatedly, requiring ongoing management. In severe situations, surgery might be the only option. It's important to remember that persistent TMJ pain shouldn't be self-managed.

  • Ignoring TMJ problems can lead to chronic pain that impacts your lower jaw, face, and neck. It can also make chewing and speaking difficult. In extreme cases, untreated TMJ can cause permanent damage to the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, potentially affecting your bite and even necessitating jaw surgery.

  • Dealing with TMJ can be tricky, and the best way to treat it really depends on your specific symptoms and how severe they are. Often, physical therapy is the first step, focusing on non-surgical approaches. This might include:

    • Relaxation techniques

    • Posture training

    • Jaw strengthening exercises

    • Using mouth guards to prevent teeth clenching or grinding

    Sometimes, muscle relaxants and over-the-counter pain relievers are used to help with discomfort and inflammation. In rare, severe cases, jaw surgery might be necessary.

Request an Appointment

Discover the benefits of physical therapy at CHA Physical Therapy. Your health is our priority, and we support your recovery and quality of life. We’re on this journey with you to renewed strength and wellness together.

Please fill out this form to get started and our team will connect with you shortly to confirm your booking.

Please note that insurance acceptance and new patient availability vary by provider and plan.

Should you require immediate care, please call us directly to inquire about same-day availability.