Effective TMJ/TMD Treatment

At North Shore Sports Medicine, we understand how frustrating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can be. Jaw pain can turn simple tasks like eating or talking into a daily struggle.

Our experienced physiotherapists in North Vancouver offer effective treatment plans to ease TMJ pain and restore jaw function. Imagine chewing your favorite meal without wincing or yawning without worry—our tailored physiotherapy approach makes that possible.

TMJ physiotherapy can improve jaw function and reduce pain, helping you return to your daily activities with ease.

What is a Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a hinge, connecting your jaw to your skull. When this joint or its surrounding muscles misbehave, you get TMD—a condition that sparks jaw pain, clicking, or even a locked jaw. It’s like a door that won’t open smoothly, creaking or jamming at the worst moments.

TMD can stem from various causes, and its symptoms, like neck pain or headaches, often ripple beyond the jaw. Our North Vancouver clinic tackles these issues head-on with customized treatment plans to get your jaw moving freely again.

A thorough assessment is essential for accurately diagnosing TMD and guiding the most effective treatment approach.

Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ disorders throw a wide net of symptoms, making them tricky to pin down. Jaw pain and clicking are the headliners, but you might also feel neck pain, earaches, or even tinnitus—a ringing in your ears that’s like a pesky background hum.

Headaches, especially in the morning, often tag along, as do sore neck muscles from clenching or poor posture. Some patients describe a “locked jaw” sensation, where opening or closing the mouth feels like wrestling a stuck drawer.

TMJ disorders can also cause difficulty with actions like swallowing or speaking, due to inflammation and stress affecting the temporomandibular joint.

At North Shore Sports Medicine, we assess these symptoms thoroughly to create a treatment plan that restores general health and jaw function.

Common TMJ Symptoms

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Clicking or popping sounds
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Headaches or earaches
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Tinnitus or locked jaw

Physiotherapy for TMJ Pain

At North Shore Sports Medicine, our physiotherapy approach is a team effort to tame TMJ disorders. We start with manual therapy to soothe the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, followed by posture education to correct habits that strain your neck and jaw.

Treatments may include manual therapy, exercises, posture correction, and other options tailored to your needs, while modalities like laser or heat therapy reduce inflammation.

We also guide you on managing bruxism and work closely with your dentist for a holistic treatment plan. Acupuncture may also be incorporated as part of a comprehensive TMJ physiotherapy plan.

Recovery varies—some patients see improvement after 1-3 sessions, while others may need 4-8 or more, depending on age, lifestyle, and symptom duration. It is important to monitor each patient’s progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed for optimal results.