If you're struggling with jaw pain, you know firsthand how overwhelming the journey to relief can be. TMJD is a complex and often misunderstood condition that affects as high as 25-30% of the adult population worldwide — with women being up to 9 times more likely to suffer from it than men.
But despite its prevalence, you might find yourself lost in a sea of conflicting information. Maybe you’ve been given piecemeal treatments that never really addressed the root cause. Or maybe you've been bouncing from one clinician to another, and it’s starting to feel like you’re navigating a maze blindfolded.
As a TMJ specialist who's worked with countless patients, I'm here to tell you that the key to breaking the cycle of pain and frustration is covering all the bases. And sometimes, that means taking a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.
When it comes to treating TMJD, teamwork can make the dream work. Depending on the case, you may require a team of healthcare practitioners – each with their own unique set of skills – to come together and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
In this first of a 4-part series, we’ll explore together the different ways certain practitioners can help make sure you are getting the care you need for TMJD.
First off, if your TMJD started off as a muscular issue (as is the case 90% of the time!), a good starting point would be focusing on those imbalances — let me introduce you to myofunctional therapy.
Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive approach that targets the mouth, tongue, lips, face, and jaw muscles. By focusing on proper tongue posture, breathing techniques, and swallowing patterns, this therapy aims to restore balance and harmony to the orofacial structures.
One of the key benefits of myofunctional therapy is addressing the muscular dysfunction behind your TMJD. Through a series of exercises, patients can learn to retrain weak muscles, relax overactive ones, and improve overall coordination and stability of the jaw joint.
And by practicing correct oral rest posture, the tongue gains the strength to stay at the roof of the mouth instead of falling into the back of the throat during sleep. Toning muscles in the tongue, soft palate, and throat also widen the airway. This is a game-changer for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea — a condition highly associated with TMJ disorders.
Think of myofunctional therapy as personal training for your face — with benefits going beyond just relieving TMJD symptoms. By having a toolkit of personalized techniques, you’ll be able to manage your jaw pain and prevent flare-ups even while sitting at your desk, driving in your car, or watching TV.
The best part? Its effects are cumulative and long-lasting. With consistent practice, you’ll strengthen your muscles and break free from the bad oral habits that may be causing or worsening your jaw pain.
The techniques of myofunctional therapy can also be used with other forms of therapy to treat TMJD.
When it comes to remedying and managing symptoms of TMJD, it truly takes a village of knowledgeable practitioners who will listen to your needs and give you the guidance and care you need and deserve. Myofunctional therapy is simply one avenue of many that can help.
Check out part 2 of this series to learn about how physical therapists (like me!) and dentists can play important roles in your TMJ care.
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