Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a condition in which the temporomandibular joint, a joint found at the intersection of your jaw and skull bones, becomes inflamed or impaired. It can cause pain or discomfort in the head, neck and jaw. This condition affects roughly 10 million adults in the U.S. If you’re one of those, you may be unsure how long your bothersome symptoms may last. You can find the answer you’re looking for in the sections below. We’ll delve into the causes of TMJ disorder and how long the symptoms last. Not only that, but how PT can help reduce the amount of time you feel discomfort and pain from this condition.
What are some of the top causes of TMJ dysfunction?
If you’re not familiar with TMJ dysfunction and the symptoms that TMJ dysfunction can present, you can learn more about each symptom below. If you think you may be dealing with TMJ dysfunction, you’d likely benefit from contacting a licensed medical professional, like a physical therapist. Physical therapists can help you identify your condition and plan a unique and personalized course of action to bring you relief.
- Traumatic injury —- A common cause of TMJ disorder is a traumatic injury. It could be behind your painful symptoms if you’ve ever injured your jaw in a car accident, sports game or other type of accident. Any heavy blow or significant pressure to the jaw can injure the joints and impair their functioning.
- Overuse — Another common cause of TMJ disorder is overuse. If you chronically overuse your jaw by chewing gum every day or biting your nails, you may begin to feel the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.
- Chronic grinding or clenching — People who frequently grind their teeth or clench their jaw are more likely to experience the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can significantly stress the TMJ joints and cause painful symptoms.
- Muscle tension — If you’re someone with muscle tension that collects in the head, neck and jaw, it may have a profound effect on your temporomandibular joint. Muscle tension is often to blame in those who struggle with the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.
How long does TMJ dysfunction typically last?
If you’re wondering how long your TMJ dysfunction symptoms are going to last, the answer might not be so straightforward. It depends on the root cause of your dysfunction, the strategies you’re using to address the cause, your lifestyle and stress levels, and whether you seek the right treatment for it. If you’re looking for a ballpark range, TMJ dysfunction symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks during a flare-up. The symptoms may go away, but unless you’re actively seeking treatment for your condition, it’s likely that you’ll experience a flare-up more than once. Your best bet for reducing the time your TMJ dysfunction symptoms will last is by regularly visiting a physical therapist who can help and making sure to do your own self-care.
Can physical therapy help with how long TMJ dysfunction lasts?
You may be interested to know that physical therapy may help reduce how long TMJ dysfunction symptoms last. Here’s how physical therapy can help those with TMJ dysfunction:
- Determine the source of your TMJ symptoms —- Whatever the root cause of your condition may be, a physical therapist is likely to pinpoint it. From there, they can determine which treatments your condition will most likely respond well to.
- Strengthen the muscles around your jaw joints — Weak muscles leave your joints vulnerable to stress and damage. Strengthening your jaw muscles through physical therapy can better protect your joints and alleviate some of the stress they may be under.
- Reduce the inflammation around your joints — If your jaw joints are under significant stress or have undergone trauma, it’s likely that you’re dealing with inflammation. A physical therapist can guide you through gentle exercises to improve your jaw function while reducing inflammation.
- Teach you what to avoid — A physical therapist can also teach you which movements, activities, foods and external factors to avoid. Some of these factors may be aggravating your condition without you even knowing it. Your therapist can educate you on all of the things you can do to avoid making your symptoms worse.
Find effective and affordable care for your TMJ dysfunction from an Alliance PTP partner
Physical therapy can be an effective and affordable way to care for your TMJ dysfunction. You just need the right partner to provide it. Any one of our partners will be more than happy to treat your TMJ symptoms and bring you closer to experiencing relief.
Alliance Physical Therapy Partners has you covered. We can help you find a PT clinic near you that’s staffed with experienced and caring physical therapists.
Prefer to meet with a physical therapist virtually? We’ve got you covered there, too.
Reach out to us today so we can help you find the physical therapy that works best for your needs.
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