The Mayo Clinic describes the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as a hinge that slides and connects your skull and jawbone together. Your TMJ allows you to eat, speak, and perform several other functions. You have one TMJ on each side of your jaw.

TMJ disorder occurs when the joints become irritated due to misaligned teeth, grinding and clenching your teeth at night, stress, injuries, and jaw arthritis. The result is chronic pain, daytime fatigue, irritability, lack of concentration, and the inability to sleep well at night. Most people with this disorder visit their dentist, buttemporomandibular joint dysfunction therapy in Wichita, KS, or Hutchinson, KS, can also help.

How to Know if You Have TMJ Dysfunction

The symptoms above describe the outcome of living with TMJ dysfunction, while those listed below indicate that you have the disorder in the first place.

• Aching pain in your face, jaw, or shoulders
• Clicking sound when you open your mouth
• Difficulty opening your mouth due to joints locking up
• Dizziness
• Earaches
• Headaches
• Pain when chewing your food
• Ringing in the ears

If you think you might have TMJ disorder, consider scheduling a consultation with Physical Therapy by Phoenix. We can also work in coordination with your dentist.

What You Can Expect from Our TMJ Dysfunction Program

By the time people come to us, they have usually tried non-prescription pain relievers, ice or heat packs, and other home remedies to no avail. We offer a range of natural therapies, depending on your pain level and other symptoms. Examples include electrical stimulation, trigger point dry needling, manual therapy, and customized exercises.

TMJ that does not improve negatively impacts your quality of life. Please reach out to request a consultation to discusstemporomandibular joint dysfunction therapy in Wichita, KS, or Hutchinson, KS, today.