Relieve Jaw Pain With Specialist Jaw Physiotherapy in Ashbourne
Jaw pain or clicking? or difficulty opening your mouth or chewing? These could all be symptoms of Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) where the jaw joint (Temporomandibular Joint) becomes injured, misaligned, stiff or painful. This is quite a common problem, but often it is difficult to find help. Your dentist may suggest finding a specialist physio – Ania, working at our Ashbourne Clinic specialises in this area so you have come to the right place!
What conditions are commonly seen by Ania?
- Jaw/facial/neck pain and headaches
- Clicking jaw
- Locking jaw
- Problems with jaw alignment
- Clenching and grinding teeth
If you think we might be able to help phone our Ashbourne Centre on 01335 344952, email admin@ashbournephysio.co.uk or request a phone back from Ania to discuss if specialist jaw physiotherapy might be appropriate for you. Urgent appointments available.
Unedited Image provided by Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1108_Muscle_that_Move_the_Lower_Jaw.jpg)
What is a Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?
TMDs are a group of conditions which cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. They are relatively common with as much as 1 in 3 people experiencing TMD related pain at some point in their lives. Usually symptoms are transient and settle on their own, however for 1 in 20 people pain and dysfunction can become more persistent and require professional help.
The jaw is one of the most complex joints in the body as it combines both hinge and sliding motions with highly specialised soft tissues controlling and supporting the joint’s movement. These movements enable our jaw to cope with the complexities of speech and of chewing different types of food. Because of its variety of movement and unique makeup, the jaw and the muscles around it don’t always function optimally resulting in a range of issues such as pain, clicking, misalignment and locking.
What is TMD Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy aims to establish the likely cause of your symptoms and create a treatment plan which often includes manual therapy (massage, manipulation and stretching), relaxation techniques, postural advice, home exercises and advice to help resolve and manage the problem. This aims to relieve muscle spasm, improve joint mechanics, encourage better posture specifically in relation to the jaw, and identify any unhelpful habits which may be contributing to your problem. Patients may also be advised to seek additional support from their GP for pain management, or their dentist if not already done so.
Specialist Physio
Ania Williamson
BSc (Hons), MCSP, Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council