Temporomandibular dysfunction is a disorder that affects a high percentage of the Western population, with a higher prevalence in women than in men. Every day, more patients come to our center for pain or mechanical problems in this region.
Contributing risk factors include stress, bruxism (teeth grinding), bite problems, jaw injuries, and certain eating habits.
From a physiotherapy perspective, at Evolution, we perform a complete evaluation of the musculoskeletal function of the jaw and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Some key aspects of our assessment are:
- Medical record: Through the initial interview we obtain detailed information about the patient's symptoms such as pain, joint clicks, limitation in mouth opening, history of trauma or bruxism, daytime and nighttime habits, etc.
- Physical examination and function: We evaluate jaw mobility, alignment and function of the TMJ. We can identify muscle imbalances and joint restrictions. Regarding function, we observe the opening and closing of the mouth, the laterality and protrusion of the jaw, identifying possible limitations or asymmetries.
- Muscle and joint palpation: We detect areas of sensitivity or tension in the muscles of this region.
- Cervical complex and posture assessment: Many jaw problems can be caused by poor posture or poor spinal function, generating adaptations that end up causing pain.
Once a correct assessment has been carried out, at Evolution Physiotherapy, we will work through a personalized treatment plan based on manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, education on improving habits that contribute to the injury and learning relaxation techniques.
The ultimate goal is to reduce pain through specific exercises that help relax hypertonic muscles, stabilize the temporomandibular joint by strengthening weaker muscles, and improve the patient's posture in order to reduce the aggravating factors of this complex dysfunction.
Finally, it should be noted that not all problems in this type of pathology can be addressed through physiotherapy, so consulting or being in contact with specialists in this region can be key when it comes to improving the patient's symptoms.
