You might not immediately think it, but speech-language pathologists and mental health professionals can be an asset among your TMJD support team alongside myofunctional therapists, dentists and orthodontists, and physical therapists.
In part 3 of our series on the types of collaborative healthcare that encompass the management and remedying of TMJD symptoms, we will explore just how this pair of nuanced health providers play a vital role in your jaw health journey.
Let’s dive right in.
While often associated with speech and language disorders, speech-language pathologists (or, SLPs) have access to specialized knowledge regarding the jaw and orofacial muscles. They can assess how your TMJD may be impacting important functions like chewing, speaking, and swallowing.
If you're experiencing significant difficulty with these, an SLP can work closely with your myofunctional therapist to develop strategies that improve your oral motor skills. By identifying and addressing any dysfunctional habits or muscle imbalances affecting these functions, an SLP can help prevent your jaw pain from getting worse.
As you course through your TMJD recovery journey, it’s also essential to acknowledge the emotional toll that comes with it.
In some cases, your treatment team may also need to include mental health professionals like psychologists or counselors — not because the pain is “all in your head”, but because TMJ disorders can have a significant impact on your emotional well-being. Factors like stress, anxiety, and depression can actually worsen pain perception and contribute to tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles.
By integrating mental health support into your treatment plan, you can learn valuable coping strategies and relaxation techniques. These tools can help you better navigate the challenges of living with a chronic pain condition. They might also recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which can help you develop a greater sense of control over your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
There you have it — speech-language pathologists and mental health professionals offer a unique, yet still vital, branch in the road to TMJD recovery.
In the fourth and final part of this series, we’ll explore how the combined efforts of the different practitioners we’ve explored ultimately come together to help patients with TMJD get the care they deserve.
Comments