Jaw pain or disorders

How can physiotherapy help with jaw disorders and pain?

Jaw problems are also treated in physiotherapy. The jaw is also a joint like a knee or an elbow. Therefore, you can have a problem with the joint that causes pain, cracking, or blockages in the jaw. It is therefore necessary to find the cause of the problem and treat it. You will see below what the treatments are for this type of pain.

What are the causes of jaw pain?

There can be different causes that lead to jaw pain. Here are the possible causes:

• Problem controlling jaw movements
• Problems with jaw joint stabilization
• Neck problems causing jaw pain
• Jaw stiffness
• Irritation of a nerve in the jaw or neck

One or more of these issues can lead to jaw pain. Here are some examples of what could cause these problems:

• Keeping your mouth open for a long time (e.g., at the dentist)
• Having poor habits that involve the jaw (chewing gum, clenching teeth, bruxism, nail-biting)
• Having experienced trauma to the jaw (fall, punch, impact to the head)
• Having had any surgery in the jaw area
• Any kind of overload to the neck

What are the symptoms of a jaw disorder?

The main symptoms are:

• Pain in the jaw, ear, or temple
  
  • Some people report feeling like their ear is blocked
• The pain increases with jaw use. For example:
  
  • Opening your mouth to eat, bite, or chew food
  • Yawning
  • Talking loudly or for a long time
  • Kissing with your mouth wide open
  • Clenching your teeth
• There may be clicking or other noises in the jaw when opening the mouth
• Some people may report episodes of jaw locking or feel like it wants to 'give way'
• There is often pain in the neck or at the base of the skull at the same time
• Headaches may also occur occasionally

How is a jaw disorder diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made based on a review of your symptoms and a clinical examination.

When should you see a physiotherapist for a jaw problem?

You should consult a physiotherapist if you have symptoms as described above or if your doctor has already ruled out any other cause that may be responsible for your pain.

You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.

What physiotherapy treatments are available for jaw problems?

Your physiotherapist will perform an evaluation to determine the cause of your jaw pain. To do this, they will assess the following elements:

• The joint mobility of your jaw and neck
• The gliding of your nerves
• Your postural habits
• The quality of your jaw and neck movements
• The strength and stability of your jaw and neck

Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:

• Mobilize the joints, muscles, and nerves of your jaw and/or neck to reduce pain and improve movement
• Give you specific exercises to do at home to address the cause of the problem and relieve pain
• Teach you how to properly manage your daily activities to optimize healing
• Give you advice for your postural habits and movements
• Give you tips to reduce pain when it occurs

What can you do at home for a jaw problem?

Here are some tips that may help at home:

• Apply ice (wrapped in a damp towel) to the jaw for periods of 15-20 minutes
• Avoid the following habits:
  
  • Chewing gum
  • Clenching your teeth
  • Biting your nails
• Make sure your neck is well supported while sleeping with a pillow that fills the curve of your neck.
• Make sure there is no pressure on your jaw while sleeping (do not sleep with your hands under your cheek or jaw)
• Sleeping on your stomach should be avoided (especially if you have stiffness or pain in the morning or during the night)
• If you know that stress is more present than usual, it is likely that some of the pain is amplified by it. Indeed, stress increases our tendency to clench our teeth. Therefore, practice relaxation exercises and be aware of the moments when you clench your teeth.

If you do not see any improvement, you should consult a physiotherapist.

Did you know?

• Your dentist is not the expert to assess and treat jaw pain. In most cases, the pain is not caused by a dental problem, but rather by a joint or muscle problem. Your physiotherapist is therefore the professional to consult to resolve the problem.
• Jaw problems are three to five times more common in women than in men

Sources

• Murphy MK, MacBarb RF, Wong ME, Athanasiou KA. Temporomandibular joint disorders: A review of etiology, clinical management, and tissue engineering strategies. The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants. 2013 Nov;28(6):e393.
• Gil-Martínez A, Paris-Alemany A, López-de-Uralde-Villanueva I, La Touche R. Management of pain in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD): challenges and solutions. Journal of pain research. 2018;11:571.