According to statistics, as many as ten million people may suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This ailment — more commonly called TMJ — is a serious problem that can cause pain, muscle weakening, and inflammation. If this issue is left unaddressed, the joints in your jaw can become injured, and sufferers can sustain permanent dental damage. Pursuing physical therapy in Evansville, Indiana is the best way to combat this problem. Physical therapy treatments for TMJ are an incredibly effective solution that can spare you from a lifetime of chronic jaw pain.
Benefits of TMJ Treatment
There are many benefits that TMJ physical therapy can offer to patients. The most obvious advantage is its ability to provide meaningful relief from the chronic discomfort that TMJ disorders often cause. A physical therapist will help you achieve this by guiding you through exercises that relieve tension in the jaw, improve your range of motion, and facilitate painless opening and closing of the jaw.
Many people are surprised to learn, though, that these are not the only benefits of TMJ treatment. TMJ treatments near me can also offer benefits such as improved posture. This is true because poor posture and TMJ problems often go hand in hand. When you hunch over, it can misalign your spine and put pressure on your jaw. This pressure can eventually lead to TMJ dysfunction. Physical therapy can help you address both of these problems at the same time.
Finally, TMJ physical therapy can alleviate stress — both physically and emotionally. If you are constantly dealing with the pain and discomfort of an inflamed jaw, you’re also likely to experience mental distress, too. Studies indicate that chronic pain has lasting effects on a person’s mental health, so seeking treatment is essential in order to regain control over your physical and mental wellbeing.
How To Choose the Right PT
When you’re researching physical therapy in Louisville, KY, it may be difficult to narrow down which facility or practitioner is best suited to your needs. There are a few specific criteria you should look for, though, to find the right physical therapist. The first of these is experience — you want a practitioner who brings extensive knowledge to the table, including prior experience working with patients who are dealing with TMJ. Ask potential practitioners how much knowledge they have in this area to gauge whether they’re a good fit.
You should also look for a physical therapist who is well-versed in a wide range of modalities. Physical therapy is never a one-size-fits-all experience, and you need a practitioner who will customize a TMJ treatment plan according to your unique needs. This may mean incorporating multiple forms of therapy such as massage techniques and independent exercises. Look for a therapist who can provide a range of different therapy options for your symptoms.
You can find relief from the pain of TMJ with help from a professional physical therapist. Discover the joy of living life without the stress and discomfort of jaw inflammation and dysfunction.
