TMJ stretches and exercises relieve pain and tension in the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joints, which are the two joints that allow your jaw to open and close. Stretches and exercises can help you train your jaw to open and close correctly. Consult a doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Definition
Problems with your temporomandibular joint cause an unwanted shifting of your jaw toward one side of your head as you open your mouth. The jaw often shifts toward the damaged joint and muscles, according to the website Atlanta Dentist. This shifting results in overuse by the healthy side of the mouth to compensate for the injured side and can eventually damage the healthy side as well.
Symptoms
Symptoms of temporomandibular joint problems include a clicking sound and popping feeling at the joint every time you open and close your mouth. This can occur while eating or talking and may or may not be immediately painful. Pain in your temporomandibular joint can also cause migraines and transfer pain to your ears, teeth, face and neck, according to the website Chiropractic Help. Extreme pain in the temporomandibular joint can prevent you from opening your mouth.
Cause
Muscle pain near the temporomandibular joint occurs when the muscle cannot eliminate waste or receive food to renew itself, according to Atlanta Dentist. The muscle tightens and restricts the flow of blood into and out of the area. You can try increasing the flow of blood to your joint muscles using moist, hot towels on the sides of your face. Leave the towels in place as long as they remain warm then repeat. You can also do stretches and exercises to loosen the muscles.
Side-to-Side Stretch
Slowly open your mouth to either side then closing your mouth. Repeat the stretches until you feel relief in the muscles surrounding your temporomandibular joint. You can use your hand to gently pull your jaw farther to either side as you become comfortable with the stretches, according to Atlanta Dentist.
Opening Your Jaw
Place a mirror in front of you as you perform this exercises to observe how your jaw opens and closes. Sit straight up in a chair and keep your mouth lightly closed. Lightly grip your jaw in the curve between your thumb and index finger. Open your mouth so you feel as if your chin is pressing the rest of your head backward. You will feel as if your lower teeth are moving backward away from your upper teeth. Let your jaw do all the work to move your head and avoid moving your head on your own. Open your jaw as far as comfortable then close your mouth. Perform a total of five repetitions, according to Chiropractic Help. You can repeat the exercise several times a day.
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