Los beneficios de la fisioterapia para la conexión de la mandíbula inferior al cráneo

Physiotherapy as a treatment for the temporomandibular joint

The specialists in Dentistry and Stomatology speak of physiotherapy as a good option for the treatment of the temporomandibular joint. Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are those that affect the joints and muscles that connect the lower jaw to the skull. Physical therapy helps restore natural jaw movement and reduce pain.

Benefits of physiotherapy in the temporomandibular joint

Physiotherapy brings numerous benefits to the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunctions. Some of them are: 

• decreased symptoms 
• decreased pain, both orofacial and headache 
• decreased tingling sensation 

Exercises for the jaw

Some of the physical therapy exercises for temporomandibular joint dysfunction are the following:

• Active exercises and manual mobilizations (manual therapy): These types of exercises are very effective in the short term. They allow to increase the total vertical opening in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunctions. 
• Postural education : If the alteration in the temporomandibular joint occurs due to an inadequate posture, the treatment is aimed at correcting this. 
• Special pain treatments : If the pain is severe, the physiotherapist may recommend a special type of treatment such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound or apply heat or cold in painful and contracted areas. 
• Biofeedback Techniques : Consists of self-healing exercises. 

The treatment for the temporomandibular joint is multidisciplinary, since it is a pathology that can be treated by different health professionals. Moreover, in some very severe cases of temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, surgery may be necessary through arthroscopy or open surgery.