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Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a jaw disorder that can affect the neck, back, ears and head if untreated. TMJ can also affect breathing, eating and sleeping and can be incredibly painful. Symptoms of TMJ include jaw clicking or popping, trouble opening and closing your mouth, jaw pain and jaw tightness, loss of movement in the jaw, earache, headache, facial pain and dizziness, among others. Try these simple exercise for immediate relief.
1
Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth, open your mouth wide with your tongue in place, and breathe in slowly for two counts and out slowly for two counts. Release and repeat 10 times.
2
Next, make a fist and place it directly under your chin. Balance the weight of your fist and press as you gently try to open your jaw. The isometric energy should relax the jaw bone (mandible). Try not to allow your jaw to click while performing this exercise. Hold for 10 seconds. Release and repeat 10 times.
3
Press your fist against the left side of your jaw below the hinge and maintain a steady pressure. The isometric energy should relax the muscles in your jaw. Hold for 10 seconds Release 10 times and repeat on the opposite side of your jaw.
4
Press against your jaw with one finger on each side. Apply pressure evenly to both sides. Open the jaw very slowly and do not allow the jaw to click. If your jaw clicks, release and start again, opening more slowly. The pressure on each side should allow your jaw to open and close in correct alignment.
5
Once your jaw is relaxed and aligned, with a loose jaw and mouth, hold your chin between your thumb and pointer finger. Very carefully and loosely shake your chin back and forth, allowing your jaw to relax and release. Do not attempt if this exercise if it causes you pain. Continue until your jaw feels loose, aligned and relaxed. Repeat these exercises once a day or more often if necessary to align your jaw. With jaw alignment and practice, your jaw will eventually memorize the relaxed positions and do them automatically.
Do not worry if these exercises do not completely eliminate your Jaw Pain. We treat jaw pain, popping and clicking each and every day at Kauai Therapy & Wellness with a very high success rate. We have a Physical Therapist with specialty training in TMJ pain relief and TMJ treatment. We also accept most insurances including Medicare & HMSA. Do NOT delay, call today 808.333.3688. You don’t have to live with the pain and discomfort in your jaw. You don’t have to worry about what to eat. You don’t have to worry about headaches. Patients typically start seeing results in 6 visits and have long lasting effects.
source: webmd
