What are the best exercises for TMJ Pain Relief?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the only movable joint in your skull that helps you speak, chew, and swallow. The TMJ is a complex structure made from an intricate system of muscles, ligaments, and bones. If this system fails to work properly, you might experience pain in the TMJ.
The ailments of this joint can be caused by injury, stress, arthritis, Bruxism, or misalignment of the jaw. TMJ treatment in Fort Lee, NJ, can help you with pain by assessing the root cause of the problem and determining the most appropriate course of action to avoid pain and discomfort.
In most cases, the pain TMJ pain is temporary and can be relieved by non-invasive therapies and exercise. Some of the most effective exercises in TMJ therapy include the following-
Relaxed Jaw Exercise
The easiest exercise to help ease the pain in your TMJ is to relax your lower jaw. To do this, place your tongue on your mouth roof behind your front teeth and allow your mouth to open as you relax your jaw. Hold the position for about 15 seconds and repeat 5-10 times.
Resisted Opening of The Mouth
The goal here is to provide resistance to the opening of your mouth. To do this, place the thumb of your hand under the chin and apply pressure in an upward direction. Now, open your mouth slowly, working against the applied force. Hold for 5-7 seconds and repeat five times.
Resisted Closing of The Mouth
The goal here is to resist the closing of the mouth. Hold your chin with your thumb and index finger and apply pressure downward. Now, close your mouth, working against this applied pressure. Do this exercise gently 3-5 times.
Chin Tucks
With your shoulders back and chest up, pull your chin back to create a "double chin" effect. Hold this position for 3-5 seconds and repeat it 3-5 times.
Tongue Up
Place your tongue on the top of your mouth, behind your front teeth, and slowly and gently close your mouth. It is an effective exercise if you are in much pain, but don't put too much pressure on your jaw muscles.
If you are having a problem with your TMJ, get it checked with a dentist in Fort Lee, NJ, they will be able to relieve your pain and treat the underlying reason as well.