You may have heard about something called TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. You may also have heard that this condition can cause jaw joint pain. So, how can a TMJ disorder lead to neck pain exactly, you ask? A physical therapist can help you find the answer.
How can TMJ disorder cause neck pain?
A TMJ disorder typically occurs when a part of the jaw joint becomes inflamed, injured or damaged. Since it affects the jaw joint, it’s not hard to understand why this issue would cause jaw joint pain. But its link to neck pain may not be clear for most people.
Many people tend to think of each body part as a completely separate and isolated entity. Yet the reality is that each part of the body is connected to a host of other parts. In the case of the TMJ, there are ligaments and muscles that help move and stabilize this joint, and these structures also extend into the neck. The nerves that send signals to these jaw structures also run through the neck and other parts of the body. This means that pain has a direct pathway from a ligament or muscle affected by TMJ disorder into your neck.
What can physical therapists do to help you?
Physical therapists have extensive anatomical training, so they’re well aware that a TMJ disorder can trigger neck pain. They also offer many treatment options that can help you address this type of pain. Some of the techniques your physical therapist may use to treat your neck pain are:
- Therapeutic exercises that are designed to stretch and strengthen TMJ-supporting soft tissue.
- Joint mobilization sessions where the therapist uses their hands to gently move your TMJ through its normal range of motion.
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) sessions intended to help ease soft tissue tension and break up scar tissue.
Don’t just live with your neck pain. Let Whatcom PT help you
Neck pain from TMJ disorder isn’t something you just have to live with. Our physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy can help you address your pain and its underlying cause. They can do a free screening for you to learn the nature of your TMJ disorder and its symptoms. Additionally, our clinicians can build you a personalized treatment plan designed to reduce the pain and other symptoms of your condition.
Contact our team today for more information about our TMJ disorder or neck pain treatment services or to schedule an initial appointment with us.
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