TMJ Dysfunction
TMJ dysfunction can seriously derail your daily activities by making it difficult to chew your food and speak clearly without pain. At night, you may have trouble sleeping, too. And without treatment, this condition can impact your dental health, resulting in tooth and gum damage.
To lessen the impact on your life, you just have to get Flagstaff TMJ dysfunction treatment—and our team is here to help. At Basecamp Physical Therapy, our therapists have the skills and experience needed to treat this condition and eliminate many of your worst symptoms.
When to Come in for Care
You don’t have to wait for TMJ to impact every facet of your life before getting care. In fact, it’s better to seek early interventions to prevent harm to your teeth, gums, and bite. Getting care right away can also do wonders for your overall well-being.
So, it just makes sense to get in touch with our physical therapists as soon as jaw pain sets in. We can help you understand what’s going on with your jaw by completing a thorough evaluation. Our therapists will use their findings to accurately diagnose your condition and then create a treatment plan just for you.
As your condition starts to improve, they will make targeted adjustments to keep you on the right track. You’ll also learn how to modify your lifestyle, like avoiding chewy candy or wearing a mouthguard at night, to keep your symptoms from returning or getting worse.
TMJ Dysfunction Symptoms
Jaw pain and discomfort are the most common signs of TMJ dysfunction. That’s because this condition is caused by a problem with the temporomandibular joint and its surrounding muscles. You may notice the jaw pain on one or both sides. Sometimes, the pain can move from one side to the other.
Other symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:
- Mild to severe headaches
- Pain in your shoulders and neck
- Clicking or popping noises in your jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- Pain, pressure, and fullness in the ears
- Facial fatigue and muscle stiffness
Symptoms can vary from day to day. Stress can greatly increase symptoms, especially if you’re prone to clenching or grinding your teeth. Other things that make TMJ worse include sitting with poor posture, biting your nails, chewing gum, and eating hard or sticky foods.
Treatment for TMJ Dysfunction
At our clinic, we offer many effective TMJ dysfunction treatments, such as:
- Hot and cold therapy
- Manual therapy
- Splint therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- Kinesiology taping
Our team can also help you resolve functional issues exacerbating your symptoms, like eating the wrong foods, slouching, and using non-ergonomic equipment. If you need help with stress management, we can do that as well.
We’re happy to work with your dentist, too, in helping you improve your jaw alignment and reduce stress on its vital structures. Your dentist may need to straighten your teeth and correct your bite to help fully resolve your symptoms.
Call for a Physical Therapy Appointment in Flagstaff, Arizona
If you’re experiencing jaw pain, it’s time to reach out to our team and get the quality care you deserve. Our physical therapists are always ready to use their expertise to diagnose and treat TMJ dysfunction. You just have to give us a call to get started. We look forward to helping you manage or eliminate your symptoms, so please reach out today.
