TMJ Physical Therapy
Located in Manhattan's Union Square, NYC
Are you dealing with jaw pain? Do you suffer from mind numbing headaches that profoundly impact the quality of your life? Do you want the best possible TMJ treatment? At James Fowler Physical Therapy, our therapists have advanced education and specialized training in TMJ pain treatment, as well as other causes of headaches and migraines.
At JFPT, we feel any patient suffering from Temporomandibular Disorders owe it to themselves to pursue the most conservative, yet comprehensive, means of treatment for their condition. Through a collaborative approach between Physical Therapy, your Dentist, Oral-Facial Pain Specialist, Oral Surgeon, ENT, MD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, etc., we will achieve the greatest success and relief of your symptoms. Our physical therapists effective communication with other medical practitioners ensures that our patients' care is tailored to each individual and sets it apart from others.
With the right therapy your symptoms, associated with this painful disorder, can be relieved. Our individualized treatment plans focus on the root cause of your dysfunction, to complement our commitment to a hands-on approach to healing.
We offer a concierge service where you will be seen in private treatment rooms by a highly experienced Physical Therapist, who fully understands and knows how to treat your particular condition. We see one patient at a time and each treatment session lasts about 45 minutes for you to get the attention you deserve.
What to Expect from TMJ/TMD
Physical Therapy
Symptoms
- Clicking when you open or close your mouth
- Difficulty and/or pain with chewing
- Bruxism (grinding your teeth) at night
- Locking of your jaw, open or closed
- Headache over your forehead, eyes or back of the head
- Sharp or dull joint pain just in front of your ear
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Ringing or fullness in your ears
- Stiffness or difficulty opening your mouth to talk or eat
Our physical therapists use their expertise to treat TMJ problems including, but not limited to:
- Manual therapy techniques (including: soft tissue massage, myofascial release, trigger point release, joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques, strain-counter strain, craniofacial, visceral mobilization, etc.)
- Intra-oral and extra-oral manual therapy
- Postural assessment and restoration
- Exercises to address muscle imbalances
- Training to reduce habits that aggravate your jaw
- Breathing and relaxation training to reduce stress and tension in your jaw
- Techniques for relaxing your jaw during exercise
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), is a collective term that describes an entire group of disorders involving the temporomandibular joint(s) (TMJ) or jaw joints and associated musculature. Like many other joints in the body, they consist of muscles that control joint movement, ligaments that hold the bones together, cartilage that provides a smooth surface for the bones to move on, a disc that helps with proper movement of the bones, and elastic tissue that helps hold the disc in place.
One or more of the above structures can cause symptoms. In fact, studies suggest that up to 33% of people will experience TMD, but only about 5-12% of them will actually seek medical treatment.
TMD can be caused by an injury to the jaw, head, or neck, grinding/clenching of the teeth and even stress. Habitual gum chewing, nail biting, and poor posture, particularly in the upper spine and neck have also been strongly linked to TMD due to the repetitive strain it puts on the jaw. It may come as no surprise that a majority of patients diagnosed with TMD also have associated neck pain. Corrective physical therapy exercises and improved postural habits can save your spine and jaw from pain and dysfunction as you age.
All TMJ evaluations include a comprehensive history and examination of your neck and jaw. You will be seen by physical therapists with specialized training in treating TMD. We’ll work with you to reduce your pain and improve your ability to use your jaw in daily activities.
