Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a condition in which the hinge joints connecting your jawbone to your skull become inflamed. The inflammation can cause significant discomfort and even pain in individuals with this condition. It can cause difficulty moving the jaw to chew food and open the mouth. Patients commonly report hearing clicking sounds when moving the jaw. TMJ dysfunction affects about 12% of the population and is more common in women.
How long does it take to recover from TMJ dysfunction?
The amount of time that TMJ pain can last depends on the person, but it can generally take anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks. Even once symptoms disappear they can come back if preventive action is not taken. There are a variety of factors that affect the amount of time recovery takes for a person. Keep reading below for some factors that are helpful to recovery.
- Identifying the cause of your inflammation ” The cause of your TMJ inflammation can affect how long your pain will last. Depending on the cause, the length of time it takes to feel better becomes exacerbated or shortened. If your inflammation is caused by grinding your teeth when stressed and you're chronically stressed, you're more likely to experience TMJ symptoms for an extended period of time. If your inflammation or injury is the cause of eating food that was too hard or chewy, taking care to eat softer food can improve your recovery time.
- Strengthening surrounding muscles ” Seeking the care of a physical therapist is one surefire way to safely work toward recovery and optimize your recovery time. Physical therapists will work with you to strengthen the muscles surrounding your temporomandibular joint so that it becomes better supported in the future. The best way to speed up your recovery is to take measures for prevention and to seek professional care for your symptoms.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for your TMJ pain and reduce how long it lasts
At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we're proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that's close to you and that can help you address temporomandibular joint dysfunction and reduce how long it lasts.
Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform.
Contact our team today so we can help you find the most effective physical therapy services for your injury or condition.
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