Jaw Pain Treatment
TEMPEROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION
Temperomandibular joint Dysfunction (TMD) is a common problem often found in individuals between the ages of 20 and 40. Approximately 33% of the population has at least one TMD symptom and 3.6% to 7% of the population has TMD with sufficient severity to cause them to seek treatment.
Try this simple jaw health check!
Can you put three fingers vertically into your mouth?
This is a simple self check but gives us a good indication about functionality of your jaw joint.
Generally, you should be able to place 3 fingers vertically in your mouth between top and bottom teeth. Many people suffer from restricted jaw opening and associated symptoms such as pain, clicking, popping or grinding. The problem can be one sided or both sides.
It is also possible to have too much jaw opening which can possibly indicate instability in the jaw joints also with resulting pain, popping or clicking.
If you have a pain, popping, clicking, grinding or restriction see us now and get back your healthy jaw and a big smile!
Normal anatomical motion of the jaw
We understand how frustrating and debilitating Jaw Pain can be, but we can help
What is Jaw Pain?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed by the bony round knuckle at one end of the jaw bone riding in a partial dish-like part of the skull that allows for hinging and sliding of the jaw with the aid of a fibrous disc. Muscles of chewing are primarily responsible for movement of this joint.
Problems can develop in the jaw for a number of reasons. Sometimes it can be trauma, postural habits, stress, chewing habits, neck problems and alignment of teeth. We can work with your dentist, prosthodontist or orthodontist to alleviate your pain and improve jaw function.
Sometimes the disc in the jaw can move forward, backward or even sideways and contribute to locking, clicking, popping or grinding. We take the time using our extensive training, knowledge and experience with treating jaw problems to assess what is causing your problem. We then work with you to correct the dysfunction, carefully explaining why the problem exists and how to remedy the problem. This often means you will be given home exercises to perform.
Safe & Fast
All techniques involve targeted, slow and sustained pressure. There is NO manipulation (cracking) of the spine.
Efective
80% of people assessed have treatable and relevant dysfunction. Most of these will see significant changes in the first two weeks.
100% Natural
No drugs, needles, toxic chemicals or side-effects. Just correcting a previously misunderstood fault in biomechanics.
Faulty Jaw Indicators
- Clicking/grinding/ popping Jaw
- Pain/ Tiredness of Jaw
- Locked Jaw (your lower jaw can be stuck /locked closed or open)
- Night grinding (bruxism) / clenching and worn / cracked teeth
- Tight cheek muscles/ Facial pain/ ear ache/ headache
- Jaw stiffness – difficulty opening mouth
- Mouth does not open straight
- Problems with biting, chewing and eating
- History of facial or jaw injury Some studies suggest that between 5% and 12% of the population suffer from Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMD). From our experience, it is not a surprising figure.
Our methods
Getting to the root cause of your jaw problem involves a complex individual assessment of contributing factors and analysis of jaw biomechanics. At Bangalow Headache Clinic Michael has trained extensively in both Australia and overseas to develop significant expertise in successfully treating jaw problems.
Self Help Exercises for your Jaw
Professor Mariano Rocabado’s 6 Exercises for TMJ Disorders
Professor Rocabado prescribes 6 exercises in order to treat TMJ disorders. He stressed the importance of treating head and neck also to effectively treat TMJ disorders.
It is recommended to do 6 repetitions of each exercise, 6 times per day.
- Resting Position of the Joint – Place the tip of the Tongue on the Roof of Mouth – putting gentle pressure on the palate.
- Controlled Opening – open and close the jaw whilst gently pressing the tip of the tongue on the roof of the palate.
- Stabilisation of the TMJ – place 2 fingers on the chin. Open and close your jaw whilst keeping the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth.
- Stabilised Head Flexion – lift and lower the chin as if nodding the head.
- Cervical Retraction – bring your chin toward your neck (creating a double chin) then push it out again.
- Shoulder Retraction – squeeze the shoulder blades together while lifting and lowering the chest.
Effectiveness of Rocabado’s Technique for Subjects with Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction – A Single Blind Study International Journal of Physiotherapy 2(1):365 · February 2015 Niha Siraj Mulla, K. Vinod Babu, N. Sai Kumar, Syed Rais Rizvi https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273496058_Effectiveness_of_Rocabado’s_Technique_for_Subjects_with_Temporomandibular_Joint_Dysfunction_-_A_Single_Blind_Study
We also treat...
Our experts treat a number of headache and jaw pain issues, and have a high level of knowledge and experience with any pain you may be suffering from.
