TMJ Dysfunction Treatment in Thornhill

What is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?

The TMJ is your jaw joint is and located directly in front of your inner ear, below your temple, and is a part of the body we use many times during the day when we talk, yawn, eat, drink or chew (see diagram). Usually, you are only aware of this joint when it becomes painful.

What causes TMJ Dysfunction?

The pain and tenderness of TMJ dysfunction can be caused by the disc in the joint moving out of place and causing pressure on sensitive structures around the joint. Early signs may include clicking long before the onset of pain. Your dental specialist may also notice wear and tear on your teeth as an early indicator.

Other causes of TMJ Dysfunction include:

Clenching or grinding of the teeth, both during the day and while sleeping at night
Poor posture, leading to strains or overuse of muscles in the face and neck
– try changing your head position and notice how your bite changes?
Inability to relax
Poor diet
Lack of restful sleep
Arthritis
Fractures
Alignment or structural problems present since birth (effectively treated by a your physiotherapist and osteopathic practitioner)
Injuries to the face, head or neck, such as concussions, facial blows, or motor vehicle accidents

Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction

The pain of TMJ dysfunction can vary greatly. It is usually located just in front of your ears, but can be felt in the teeth, ears, head, jaw and neck. Patients will describe the pain as sharp, searing and catching, or dull and constant. It can be extremely debilitating.

Other symptoms include:

Ear pain, or fullness of the ears
Facial pain
Sore, tight, tender jaw muscles
Temple, cheek, tooth or jaw pain while swallowing, yawning, talking or chewing
Jaw popping, clicking or locking upon opening or closing, or while chewing
Reduced ability to fully open or close the mouth
Frequent headaches or neck aches
Muscle pain and spasms in the face, head and neck
Ringing in the ears

TMJ Treatment – Osteopathy or Physiotherapy

Are there treatment options?

Fortunately yes! Your highly trained Physiotherapist can help. Using our unique multi-modal approach your therapist will teaching you relaxation, stretching and strengthening exercises for the face, head and neck muscles. These exercises can also help to augment the effect of the appliance or mouth guard your dentist may have already provided to you or we would be happy to recommend dental professionals with TMJ dysfunction experience whom we currently work with.

Your program may include one or more of the following:

Stretching and strengthening exercises of the jaw, head and neck
Postural correction, relaxation and breathing exercises
Manual stretches and mobilizations of the jaw and neck joints
Modalities such as Laser, Ultrasound and electrical stimulation to decrease pain and improve healing
Your physiotherapist may also recommend osteopathy or cranial osteopathic therapy: Most TMJ dysfunction will benefit from this care.
Your cranium is made up of different bones that move and must be free of tension in order to function normally

What can you expect?

At Physioactive Orthopaedic and Sports Injury Centre, you will work directly with a registered Physiotherapist, trained through post graduate course work, in the assessment and treatment of TMJ dysfunctions. Often, to get full and permanent results, you physiotherapist may suggest osteopathy for treatment of the cranium (the bones of your head and face)

Your Physiotherapist will assess:

Your unique jaw and neck movement disorder or alignment issues
Muscle imbalances and tightness
Any joint related problems
As always your Physioactive therapist will determine other contributing factors (see high-heeled shoe analogy) to increase the effectiveness of our therapy. They will also determine if you would benefit from the care of another professional if necessary.

Following your assessment, your Physiotherapist will put you on a specific, individualized exercise program. You will continue to see your Physiotherapist to monitor and progress your program, and to provide you with the hands-on therapy you may require.

Your Physiotherapist in vaughan will always be in contact with your dentist and/or specialist to coordinate your treatment with their recommendations.

Physioactive’s Tips for protecting your Jaw:

Rest your muscles and joints by eating soft foods when in pain
Do not chew gum or other objects including your fingernails
Make sure your tongue is touching the roof of your mouth at rest
Avoid clenching or tensing the muscles of the jaw, face and neck
When in pain try relaxing your jaw muscles with moist heat or with ice
Try to practice stress management techniques, relaxation or deep breathing exercises
Make sure to get plenty of good sleep
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Always follow the advice of your dentist or oral specialist, and use your appliance as prescribed. Our therapists have had great success working closely with dentists and orthodontists.

To book an appointment with a Physiotherapist or Osteopath trained in the assessment and treatment of TMJ dysfunction please call (905) 695-0371 and request an appointment for TMJ or Jaw pain.

Zach Apter

2024-06-05

I saw Pooria. He was great all 4 sessions and so were the rest of the staff. Got me back to normal in no time! Highly reccomend.

Leonora Buskin

2024-05-05

I highly recommend Chiropractor Zachary Starr. Highly professional and his treatment resolved my TMJ for the long-term. He also supported with supplying exercises to carry on the treatment at home in relation to treatment of TMJ and improvement of posture.

Bayla Perelman

2024-05-02

After many months of being in pain and countless of doctor’s appointments and tests, no one was able to understand my pain or help me. However, during my first appointment with Thomas he was able to locate and finally ease my pain! Thank you!

Li You

2024-04-22

After finishing treatment from Monica. I have felt that any symptoms of sourness and stiffness in me just disappeared by themselves. During the miracle treatment, I feel her kindness and passion for medical treatment methods. Beyond, those, her combined knowledge of acupuncture and massage is the fact that she is so focused on the results of the treatment that after one or two sessions, I have already gotten the best outcome that I have ever experienced. I would say that she has an angel's fingers. It is an incredible wonder. It is an ancient way that she understands and practices so well to heal your health from the physical body to the eternal soul. I highly recommend this rehabilitation center and Monica to someone who is looking for the best medical treatment from the most caring practitioner.

Inna Kakoian

2024-04-08

Highly recommend PhysioActive. Winnie (physiotherapist) helped me a lot following my knee injury (injured ACL & MCL). She is very knowledgeable and one of the areas she specializes in is nerve work all over the body. Words can’t describe how amazing Winnie is at what she does. Originally she did ultrasound massage to reduce inflamation and swelling in my knee. Then she started doing some work with her hands. At the end of each appointment she would put my legs into a magnetic wheel that works at a cellular level and actually helped reduce pain. She also assigned exercises to do at home which helped too. Later I also started seeing Mina (osteopath), and he’s also very talented, knowledgeable and gentle. My foot, even though it wasn’t injured, was having trouble adjusting after many months of inactivity and was achy, so I ordered orthotics to put inside my shoes, which made a huge difference, and this was done through their chiropodist Vincent (the pair of orthotics he ordered for me is perfect). The front desk staff is great too, especially Negin and Armine. If you’re newly injured and lost, please hang in there as it will get better, and this is one great clinic that can help.

Melanie Heilbronn

2024-03-20

Nicholas Biasini is the man with magic hands. Thanks so much for your exercises and hands on work. Really appreciate the speedy and effective resolution of my neck pain.

Melissa Custoreri

2024-03-14

I have been a client at Physioactive since 2010 and continue to have a wonderful experience. My bookings are always easy and efficient via telephone and in person, through Physioactive’s organized, knowledgeable and friendly staff members. Appointment booking emails and reminders are always provided, as well as follow-up check ins between longer visits. The clinic is clean and organized. Physiotherapists, Nick and Aparna, and Massage Therapist, Shirley, have been critical in my physical healing from injuries and and preparation and recovery postpartum. I constantly leave the clinic AMAZED by their knowledge, ultimate care, and physical relief. I would HIGHLY recommend Physioactive to all!

Sheena Weisman

2024-03-14

Amazing clinic, would highly recommend! After a very sudden onset of severe sciatica, Thomas and the physioactive team were increadible. No appointments were available for 5 days, but once Thomas realized the degree of discomfort I was in he made extra appointment time to see me that same day and the next few days. His assessment was thorough and treatment very quickly reduced my nerve pain. He explained in detail the physiology likely causing the problem, and his plan to tackle not only the acute pain but over time to eventually resolve the underlying musculoskeletal problems that were likely causing it. I am increadibly grateful to him and his team and would definitely recommend Physioactive.

Amanda Chan

2024-03-13

Since my left fibula fracture was cleared for physio, while I was in crutches I have been going to Physioactive since last November. I cannot say anymore good things about this place, each physiotherapist I had seen in the beginning were good at working together to ensure my file was consistently up to date. Fast forward March, I walk now as if I have never sustained a fracture. Highly recommend and lots of exercises that cater to each phase of healing!!

TMJ Dysfunction (TMD)