What Does Physical Therapy for TMJ Actually Involve?
One of the biggest questions I get from patients with TMJ pain is: What do you actually do in physical therapy for it?
The answer? It depends on your specific diagnosis.
Why Diagnosis Matters
The jaw is a complex joint that involves muscles, nerves, and joint mechanics that connect to your neck and shoulders. The right treatment for TMJ dysfunction depends on what’s actually causing your pain. Some patients have stiffness and limited mobility, while others have instability, nerve irritation, or excessive muscle tension.
Luckily, physical therapists are trained to diagnose TMJ disorders, and if you’ve already seen a specialist, we can also work with their diagnosis.
What We Do in Physical Therapy for TMJ
Treatment will vary based on your specific needs, but it may include:
Joint Mobilizations – If the joint itself is stiff or not moving properly, hands-on techniques can help restore normal motion.
Soft Tissue Work – If the muscles around your jaw are too tight, manual therapy techniques can help reduce tension.
Nerve Treatment – Some TMJ pain is due to nerve irritation, so techniques like nerve glides or desensitization exercises may be used.
Posture & Neck Work – The neck and shoulders play a huge role in jaw function. If your posture is off, we may need to address upper back and neck positioning.
Strength & Stability Training – Some people have too much mobility in their jaw and need exercises to help stabilize the joint.
Modalities (If Needed) – We may use ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or heat/ice for pain relief, depending on your symptoms.
Exercise Prescription – Not all TMJ exercises are helpful for everyone. YouTube is full of TMJ exercises, but if you don’t know your specific diagnosis, doing random exercises could actually make things worse.
Should You See a PT or a Specialist First?
If you have TMJ pain, the best thing to do is get checked out—either by a physical therapist or an orofacial pain specialist.
Physical therapists can assess your jaw, diagnose the issue, and start treatment right away.
Orofacial pain specialists (often dentists with additional training) can evaluate bite mechanics and determine if you need something like a bite splint.
The good news? Physical therapy can almost always get you in faster than specialists can. If you’re struggling with TMJ pain and don’t want to wait months for an appointment, PT is a great first step.
If you think physical therapy might help, schedule an appointment and get started with treatment. Most TMJ issues are very treatable—it’s just about finding the right approach for you.