Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle (TMJ) Therapy

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJ) refer to a range of conditions affecting the jaw muscles and the jaw joints. These disorders can lead to discomfort and pain around the mouth, jaw, neck, and ears. At Ivy Rehab, we provide specialized TMJ therapy aimed at relieving jaw pain, improving jaw movement, and restoring normal function.

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Ivy Rehab / Therapy Services / Physical Therapy / TMJ

How TMJ treatment works.

TMJ disorders affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. This joint plays a crucial role in jaw movement, such as chewing, speaking, and yawning. When this joint or the surrounding muscles are strained or misaligned, it can lead to pain, discomfort, and a reduction in your quality of life.

While TMJ conditions are often not considered serious, they can cause long-lasting symptoms that affect everyday activities. Our physical therapists at Ivy Rehab are trained in TMJ therapy to help manage these symptoms and improve jaw function.

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Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction

TMJ disorders can manifest in a variety of symptoms, affecting the jaw muscles and surrounding tissues. Common symptoms of TMD (temporomandibular disorders) include:

  • Pain in and around the jaw area
  • Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw when opening or closing the mouth
  • Headaches, especially around the temples
  • Locking of the jaw (difficulty opening or closing the mouth)
  • Jaw tightness or discomfort while chewing or speaking
  • Neck or cervical discomfort due to poor jaw alignment

These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can significantly impact daily activities. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, TMJ therapy can help you find relief.

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How Ivy Rehab Treats TMJ Disorders

Our TMJ treatment plan involves a combination of techniques designed to reduce jaw pain, improve jaw movement, and relieve tension in the surrounding muscles. We utilize a personalized approach to ensure the most effective treatment for each patient’s needs.

Neuromuscular Re-Education

  • This therapy helps restore normal jaw movement by retraining the muscles around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to function correctly and relieve jaw tension.

Manual Techniques

  • We use manual therapy to help reduce pain and improve mobility in the jaw joint. Techniques like soft tissue mobilization can help relieve muscle tightness and improve overall function.

Ultrasound, Electric Stimulation, and Heat/Ice Treatment

  • These modalities are used to reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain. Heat and ice can be applied to reduce swelling, while electric stimulation can promote muscle relaxation and alleviate jaw discomfort.

Jaw Exercises

  • Jaw exercises are a key part of your treatment plan. They help strengthen the muscles surrounding the jaw, improving posture and movement. These exercises can help alleviate symptoms of TMD and prevent future jaw issues.
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FAQs

How long does TMJ therapy take to work?

The length of time to see results from TMJ therapy varies based on the severity of your condition. Many patients begin to feel relief within a few sessions, while others may need several weeks of treatment. Our physical therapists will tailor a treatment plan to help you achieve the best results in the shortest time possible.

Is TMJ therapy safe for all patients?

Yes, TMJ therapy is safe for most patients, including those with chronic jaw pain, muscle tension, or jaw mobility issues. Your physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for your specific needs.

What is TMJ dysfunction?

TMJ dysfunction (also known as TMD) refers to a disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the skull. It can cause pain, discomfort, and issues with jaw movement, often resulting in symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, and jaw clicking.

Get Started with TMJ Therapy at Ivy Rehab

Relieving jaw pain and improving function takes time and specialized care. At Ivy Rehab, we provide compassionate TMJ therapy to help individuals reduce jaw discomfort, improve jaw movement, and relieve muscle tension. Our skilled therapists work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to address your symptoms and help you regain comfort and function in daily activities.

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Check out some of our 4 and 5 star reviews

Excellent4.8★★★★★ review us on ★★★★★ Karen Hogan-Curran helped me immensely. I had a difficult time with vestibular dysfunction and she helped it stop. She was excellent and wonderful to work with.Response from the ownerIt’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, New Hyde Park ★★★★★ Our son loves going to speech & will ask if he has it each day. They taught him exercises to work on his “k” sounds & will practice on his own. Everyone can definitely understand him better & he doesn’t get frustrated trying to tell us somethingResponse from the ownerYour kind review made our day – thank you so much! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids – Bensalem ★★★★★ I got into a major car accident 10 years ago and sustained severe whiplash. I was only 21 when it happened and I’ve lived in chronic pain ever since. After 10 years of chiropractic care, I gave up on ever living a pain-free life.I went to Ivy Rehab on the advice of my dad, who had a wonderful experience at the Montgomeryville location. I’ve been going to Ivy Rehab in Blue Bell for about a month and I was pleasantly surprised at the staff’s engagement, knowledge, expertise, and energy from the beginning. The staff put a sign outside the center for my first visit welcoming me to the “family”. And that’s what it’s truly felt like: a family. There have been days that I come to my evening appointments super tired from the pain or weary from a long day at work and don’t feel like being there. Steven and Daniel have listened to my complaints about the pain, and other aspects of my life, with concern and support, and have developed a strategy to relieve the pain and strengthen my neck and back. Both Steven and Daniel push me to give 100%, but understand and will modify their plan when I can’t. They constantly cheer me on when I make progress. Even the other patients have cheered me on and have been extremely welcoming! I’ve seen more results in the 4 weeks I’ve been going to Ivy Rehab than I have at the chiropractor I’ve seen bi-weekly for the past 10 years.Once I finish rehabbing my neck, I plan to attend rehab at this location for a wrist injury and I hope to get my 13-year old daughter in for issues with her knee.TLDR: If you are a person of any age and any level of fitness, that is in pain and wants to feel better quickly, Ivy Ridge Blue Bell is the best place to go. The team here truly cares about your health and well-being, has a wealth of expertise in the field of PT, and are extremely positive and supportive. As a former athlete who has completed several stints in PT for various injuries, I honestly can’t say enough about my positive experience there.Response from the ownerIt’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab, Blue Bell-South ! ★★★★★ I’ve had a wonderful experience at Ivy Indian Trail! I never thought I was going to get better after my injury, but I’m feeling so much better and stronger! Thank you Dr. Brian and staff for everything!!Response from the ownerThat’s wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Indian Trail ★★★★★ Kevin has been amazing with helping me with my back pain. He is a great listener and makes sure everything is explained. My pain has decreased significantly and he really makes sure I’ll be pain free for the future. His front desk is also amazing she is so prompt and very sweet to talk to. ★★★★★ Big thanks to Jenna and all the staff and therapists at ABC Pediatric Therapy! Jenna and team provided the best care to my son during his time there and were so helpful in building his strength and balance and increasing his confidence. Everyone was so welcoming, friendly and a joy to talk to during each session. I truly appreciate all the support, guidance and care they provided. It takes a special, caring person to do what they do and the team at ABC is just that!Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share this review, it means so much! – The team at ABC Pediatric Therapy, Beavercreek ★★★★★ I went to Excel PT in Cresskill to rehab a shoulder injury and it was a great experience. Christian was fantastic and did a brilliant job coming up with an effective rehab strategy and my shoulder feels great. The entire staff was professional and pleasant. Highly recommend.Response from the ownerHi Michael, thanks so much for your review and recommendation of our Cresskill office! We’re so glad to hear about your experience with Christian and that your shoulder is feeling great. ★★★★★ The team at PTW Blue Bell is awesome! Stephen has been my go-to PT for multiple different injuries and pains over the past several years. His overall knowledge in the field and ability to relieve pain is why I would recommend him and the PTW Blue Bell team to anyone recovering from injury or just experiencing general pain in the body.Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share this review, it means so much! – The team at The Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute, Blue Bell! ★★★★★ Worked with Kristen for the past few months for an adductor injury and she is great. Jerry, Liz, and all of the staff at the clinic are also awesome and great people to work with. I’d definitely recommend going here.Response from the ownerWe value your feedback, thank you for your kind words! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Hoboken – Midtown ★★★★★ Kevin is the absolute best physical therapist I have been to in my life!! I would give him a 100 star review if I could. I first met Kevin after a shoulder injury that required surgery. Kevin is very respectful, super smart, compassionate and kind. I have a complicated back with a congenital deformity and have had a spinal fusion. I have seen many physical therapists over the years and no one has been able to help me like Kevin. He is always quick to see me if my back needs some “tweaking”. His desire to help is genuine and he cares for you as a person, not just a patient. You won’t find another team like Ivy Rehab! ★★★★★ Ivy takes the time to understand what is actually going on with you. Then work with you physically to find the right exercises that will best serve your needs to get you back on the way to recovery.Response from the ownerThank you for the great review, we really appreciate it! – The team at Ivy Rehab, Chesapeake! ★★★★★ Matt is amazing! The staff is wonderful too! This is my second time seeing Matt as a therapist, the first time after a shoulder surgery and now for my lower back. My shoulder is better than what anyone thought it would be. Even my surgeon can’t believe the range of motion I was able to accomplish! How often do you hear that? If you need a therapist to really help you get better and cares about you, this is the place. I wouldn’t want anyone other than Matt and his team to help me get back to where I need to be!Response from the ownerWe value your feedback, thank you for your kind words! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Monroe ★★★★★ Ivy rehab has been amazing for so many of our children in the Autism community! We are so excited that another location is open to help support and reach more kids!Response from the ownerThat’s wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids – ABA Therapy, Dexter ★★★★★ Wonderful and caring team! I wish I’d had access to physical therapy of this standard earlier in my life. Thank you, Bob, Helen, and everyone else at Ivy Rehab!Response from the ownerYour kind review made our day – thank you so much! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Princeton ★★★★★ I had the pleasure of working with the professionals at Ivy Rehab in Hoboken. Most recently for my right knee and also in 2024 after a total knee replacement.Caroline Cogavin was my therapist in both cases and she was terrific to work with. She listened to my concerns and put together a program that lead to improvement – strength, flexibility, mobility – and just feeling better. She is professional and knowledgeable and a truly good person.The environment is welcoming and the staff super attentive and extremely helpful. If you are looking for a rehab facility in our area, Ivy Rehab is the best!Response from the ownerThat’s wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Hoboken – Midtown ★★★★★ I’ve been working with Caroline to fix a forearm issue, and also to bulletproof my forearms and shoulders against future issues. She also helped me resolve a chronic foot problem previously, so I could run again! Caroline is a great physical therapist!Response from the ownerThank you for your kind words; we appreciate your feedback! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Cary ★★★★★ I’ve been to IV of a couple of times they have long-standing employees with great values, care as well as they educate you as to have your healing overall, a great experience. I have six weeks to go and I feel better already.Response from the ownerIt’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Rhinebeck ★★★★★ It’s a pleasure to do business at Generation Care Grand Haven. From entry to exiting everyone is very welcoming! Abby is my PT and she is great at her job! I actually look forward to my therapy because I know my injury will heal with her in charge!Thank you Abby.Janice ★★★★★ I love this place and would recommend to anyone. Due to my own misfortunes, I have been here three times: after a hip replacement, a shoulder dislocation, and an ankle break. Each time the staff has been both friendly and have challenged me! I have worked with almost all therapists, and each experience has been great. Not only have I experienced physical improvements and strengthening but I have gained confidence in my abilities. They have been flexible with my scheduling and billing and have taken the time to know my medical history. Annie, Lisa, Hailey, Ryan, Steven, Veronica, Cheryl, Aiden, and more have been great! Kyle and Caitlin are beyond friendly and helpful. Matt seems to work every hour of every day and probably needs a raise! I’m glad to be done but I’ll miss this group!Response from the ownerYour kind words brighten our day – thank you for sharing! – The team at Synergy Rehab and Wellness – Staunton ★★★★★ They take their time to make sure you know what you are doing, why you are doing it and how to do it correctly, so you get the most benefit without risking more injury. I have found that the smallest details when exercising correctly seem to have the most impact on the area being targeted.Response from the ownerIt’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab, Virginia Beach – Kempsville ★★★★★ I had an excellent experience at Excel. Nikolas is a great therapist. Friendly, encouraging and skilled. Everyone I worked with there was friendly and caring. Most importantly my issue is resolved and I’m able to do my physical activities again.Response from the ownerThank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy, Cresskill js_loader
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