Treatment Options for Craniomandibular Dysfunction (CMD)
CMD is a complex disorder that can be accompanied by various symptoms such as jaw pain, jaw joint noises, restricted mouth opening, headaches, and neck tension. Our jaw physiotherapy offers a holistic approach to effectively treat CMD. We combine manual techniques, exercises to strengthen the jaw muscles, relaxation techniques, and individual counseling to identify and address the underlying causes of the dysfunction.
How Can Jaw Physiotherapy Help with CMD?
Through targeted physiotherapeutic measures, we can improve jaw joint function, correct muscular imbalances, and restore jaw mobility. Our jaw physiotherapists specialize in developing individual treatment plans tailored to the specific needs and symptoms of each patient. The goal is to alleviate pain, normalize jaw joint function, and significantly improve the quality of life for our patients.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Treating Jaw Joint Problems
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of jaw joint problems. In addition to targeted strengthening and stretching of the jaw muscles, we also utilize manual techniques such as mobilization and massage in our practice to improve jaw joint function. By taking a holistic approach to the body, we can also recognize and treat connections between jaw joint problems and other musculoskeletal complaints such as neck or back pain.
Symptoms of Craniomandibular Dysfunction (CMD)
CMD manifests through various symptoms that can significantly impair quality of life. These include jaw pain, jaw joint noises, earaches, headaches, neck tension, restricted mouth opening, and dental problems. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with our jaw physiotherapist in for an accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Causes of Jaw Joint Problems
The causes of jaw joint problems and CMD can be diverse. They often occur due to stress-related teeth grinding or clenching during sleep. However, jaw misalignments, muscular imbalances, traumatic injuries, arthritis, or an unfavorable bite position can also lead to jaw joint problems. Our experienced jaw physiotherapists in have the necessary expertise to identify the individual causes of your complaints and initiate targeted therapy.
Through comprehensive examination and medical history assessment, we identify the underlying causes and develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Our holistic approach aims to treat the causes of jaw joint problems rather than just relieving symptoms.
We attach great importance to informing you about the causes of your complaints and providing you with preventive measures to achieve long-term improvements. With our jaw physiotherapy, you will receive individual care to effectively treat your jaw joint problems and significantly enhance your quality of life.
Choosing the Right Physiotherapist for Jaw Joint Treatment
When selecting a physiotherapist for your jaw joint treatment, it is important to consider experience, expertise, and an individualized treatment strategy. Our team of physiotherapists have many years of experience in treating jaw problems and CMD. We prioritize personal care, comprehensive diagnostics, and individually tailored therapy plans to provide you with the best possible treatment.
When is temporomandibular joint treatment used? – A treatment example
A patient with tense neck muscles presents at the clinic. The symptoms have been present for 3 months and cause severe unilateral headaches on the left side of the head.
In the medical history, the hypothesis is initially made that working at a desk in front of a computer can cause increased tension. However, it is more likely that this activity, combined with stress, exacerbates the symptoms. After 2 sessions of physiotherapy without significant improvement, the hypothesis is reevaluated, and it turns out that the problems are likely caused by an accident 5 years ago while ice skating, which resulted in a blow to the jaw. Palpation of the muscles surrounding the jaw reveals that their tension is significantly high, and maximum mouth opening is no longer possible. The mouth opening is also highly asymmetrical. Upon inquiry, the patient explains that she also suffers from bruxism, which means she grinds her teeth at night. A jaw movement analysis shows that she achieves optimal mouth opening only through protrusion, meaning leaning the head forward. This forward leaning also makes her jaw feel looser during phone calls and chewing. However, this compensation now comes at the expense of the large neck muscles, which are now the primary symptoms triggering “neck tension and headaches.”
In further physiotherapy, techniques are used to relax the muscles involved in jaw closure and those that center the temporomandibular joint. Additionally, a particularly stubborn tension point is treated with dry needling. The patient is also encouraged to observe her behavior during everyday stress. An exercise for jaw coordination is prescribed. After 6 weeks, the patient is pain-free in the neck and now visits the clinic once a month for relaxation of the jaw muscles.
This example illustrates how closely related the symptoms in the jaw and neck can be and how various differential diagnoses can influence the treatment.