Can Physiotherapy Or Chiropractic Help Jaw Pain?

Many people who experience jaw pain are unsure of which healthcare professional to see regarding their concerns. The answer is that there are several healthcare professionals that are educated on the subject and who may be beneficial to talk to regarding jaw pain. Many people know that dentists and doctors are knowledgeable on the subject, but it is lesser known that physiotherapists and chiropractors are too!

Jaw Anatomy

First, it can be helpful to understand the anatomy behind where your pain is coming from. The first important structure to know is the temporomandibular joint (aka your “TMJ“). This joint connects your skull to your jaw bone.

Surrounding your TMJ are four pairs of muscles referred to as muscles of mastication (Iturriaga et al., 2023). These muscles are called the:

1. Lateral pterygoid
2. Medial pterygoid
3. Masseter
4. Temporalis

Pain in your jaw can be caused from either the TMJ itself or these muscles working on the joint.

Temporomandibular Disorder, Or TMD

When there is pain and tenderness in your TMJ or surrounding muscles, this is called, “Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, or TMD“. If you are experiencing TMD you may also notice clicking or popping sounds, limitations of jaw movement, or difficulty speaking and chewing (Almeida., 2023).

You might want to know who commonly experiences this pain? The answer is that TMD can occur at any age but is more common in young to middle aged adult females (Rashid et al., 2013). Having symptoms quickly diagnosed and treated can help to improve your quality of life if you have TMD (Almeida., 2023).

What Are The Risk Factors For Developing TMD?

There are several risk factors which include (Grossi et al., 2004; Almeida., 2023):

• Chewing
• Clenching
• Connective tissue disorders
• Emotional stress
• Forward head posture
• Overuse of neck muscles
• Teeth grinding
• Trauma

Studies have also found that generalized joint hypermobility can also increase your risk of developing TMD due to ligaments not providing enough support and issues with position control, or proprioception (Anderson et al., 2010; Chiodelli et al., 2016).

Types Of TMD

There are several different types of TMD, each of which can present slightly differently from the others.

Myofascial pain

The first type is caused by myofascial pain. In this type, the muscles around your jaw are tight. There will typically be no pain in your TMJ joint when opening your mouth. Instead, pain is more likely to occur during chewing because the muscles are working. You may experience (Anderson et al., 2010):

• Headaches
• Jaw muscle fatigue
• Reduced range of motion during jaw opening

Disc displacement

The second type is caused by disc displacement (Iturriaga et al., 2023). There are two subtypes: anterior disk displacement with reduction, and without reduction.

If you have anterior disk displacement with reduction you will likely (Rasotra, 2022):

• Aching pain around your ear
• Difficulty chewing
• Facial pain
• Have jaw pain or tenderness
• Hear clicking when opening and closing your mouth
• Joint locking
• Pain with chewing

If you have anterior disc displacement without reduction you may experience (Rasotra, 2022):

• A decrease in your range of jaw opening
• Aching pain around your ear
• Difficulty chewing
• Facial pain
• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Joint locking
• Pain with chewing

Osteoarthritis

Another type of TMD is caused by osteoarthritis of your jaw (Anderson et al., 2010). This type is characterized by degeneration of the joint with inflammatory changes or progressive changes to your cartilage and / or subchondral bone (Wang et al., 2015; Delpachitra et al., 2022).

If you have osteoarthritis of your jaw you may experience:

• Clicking noises
• Decreased range of motion in your jaw
• Joint pain
• Pain in your chewing muscles

Furthermore, grinding and clenching your jaw during sleep can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (Immonen et al., 2024).

TMD And Stress

Interestingly, studies have found a relationship between TMD and emotional stress. Stress and cortisol can contribute to daytime clenching or grinding of your teeth and may exacerbate these actions at night (Alkhudhairy et al., 2018).

Teeth grinding, clenching

Since teeth grinding and clenching are risk factors of developing TMD, this can create a link between higher stress levels and the development of TMD. This link can work both ways, as pain from TMD can exacerbate stress and impact your ability to cope with stressors (Alkhudhairy et al., 2018).

Headache
Studies also suggest a relationship between TMD and the occurrence of headaches. This is because TMD pain can lead to sleep disturbances which can exacerbate tension-type headaches (Alkhudhairy et al., 2018).

Pain in the neck

Another relationship may exist between TMD and neck pain. Research found that 70% of the time neck pain was associated with TMD (Silveira et al., 2015). Significant muscle tenderness in your upper back muscles and facial muscles was found to be linked with high levels of jaw and neck dysfunction. Furthermore, those receiving treatment for TMD experienced less neck pain (Walczyńska-Dragon et a;. 2014).

These links are important because identifying the cause of your pain can point your Burnaby physiotherapist and chiropractor in the optimal direction for treatment. It can also be beneficial for healthcare practitioners to better understanding your individual pain experience.

How Do You Get Rid Of Jaw Pain?

Your North Burnaby chiropractor’s or physiotherapist’s goals for treatment are commonly to address the underlying dysfunctions that are causing symptoms, reduce pain, restore normal jaw function, and your improve quality of life (Rashid et al., 2013; Almeida., 2023). Your individual goals will be discussed and prioritized during the treatment plan.

Treatment will need to be individualized for your clinical presentation and goals. Treatment may include manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization and trigger point therapy (Rashid et al., 2013; Almeida., 2023).

TMJ exercises

Treatment may also include therapeutic exercises such as range of motion, strengthening, and postural training (Rashid et al., 2013; Almeida., 2023).

Another potential treatment technique is the use of therapeutic modalities. Education and your active participation in treatment sessions and home exercises are important for the success of your treatments!

How To Stop Jaw Pain?

Having jaw pain can affect your daily life in so many ways. Finding answers and getting help can be challenging as jaw pain or TMD is not as common as say a back ache.

There are healthcare practitioners who focus on treatment TMD or jaw pain and can help you find a path to relieving your pain and getting back to going about your day without worry. Schedule your visit today.

See Your Burnaby Heights Chiro Or Physio

Phone 604-738-1168

FAQ

Q: How do I find TMJ physiotherapy or chiropractic near me?

A: Not all healthcare providers provide treatment for TMJ pain or TMD. To find one near you the best is to call the clinic and ask them

Q: What causes jaw pain?

A: There are many potential factors that can put people at risk of developing TMD. These risk factors are the overuse of neck muscles, overuse of chewing muscles, emotional stress, clenching, teeth grinding, forward head posture, connective tissue disorders, and trauma (Grossi et al., 2004; Almeida., 2023)

Q: Can you suddenly develop TMJ?

A: Jaw pain or TMD can occur at any age but is more common in young to middle aged adult females (Rashid et al., 2013)

Q: How do you get rid of jaw pain?

A: There are several treatment approaches for jaw pain. Your chiropractor’s or physiotherapist’s treatment plan may include manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, and therapeutic modalities