TMJ Treatment in St. Augustine, FL
Does your jaw click every time you bite into a sandwich? Maybe you wake up with sore cheeks from clenching all night, or your jaw aches after a long day at the laptop. Yawning feels risky. A steak dinner feels like a workout.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the hinge just in front of each ear where your jaw meets your skull. TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, is the name for pain and trouble with that joint and the muscles that move it. Most people just call the whole thing TMJ. It can mean jaw pain, clicking or popping, clenching, headaches near the temples, or trouble opening wide.
Why We Check Your Neck
“Sometimes jaw pain is really a neck and posture problem wearing a jaw costume.”
Check the ones that sound like your jaw. Even a few are worth taking seriously.
Your jaw clicks, pops or grinds when you open, chew or yawn.
You wake up with tight cheeks or a sore jaw from clenching overnight.
Biting a burger or a big apple takes careful planning.
Aching around your temples or ears after a long, tense day.
Your neck and upper shoulders feel tense right along with your jaw.
Your jaw catches or feels stuck partway open or closed.
Resting your jaw and eating soft food can calm things down, but it doesn't change why the jaw is overworking. When the cause stays, the pain comes back.
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Your head slides forward at the desk or on your phone, and your neck strains.
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The muscles around your jaw tighten up and you clench without noticing.
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Tight muscles pull on the joint, bringing more clicking, soreness and tension.
We work on the jaw, the neck and the posture that feeds them, and build you habits that help keep your jaw relaxed.
Your jaw is connected to your neck, and your neck is connected to everything else. We treat all of it, one-on-one.
Gentle hands-on work eases tight jaw, neck and shoulder muscles so you can open, chew and talk more comfortably.
We strengthen your neck, upper back and shoulders so they hold your head up and your jaw can stop doing extra work.
We look at how you move from the feet up, because how you stand and walk changes how your head sits on your neck.
How you walk shapes your posture all day long. Retraining your stride helps keep your head and neck balanced instead of pushed forward.
Often, yes. Jaw pain, clicking and clenching can be tied to tight muscles, neck strain and posture, which physical therapy can work on. If your problem looks dental or medical, we'll tell you and point you to a dentist or doctor.
If you have tooth pain, a bite that suddenly feels off, or a jaw that locks and won't open or close, see your dentist or doctor first. For jaw pain tied to tension, clenching or posture, physical therapy can help.
Renew Strength & Wellness is at 3670 US-1 South, Unit 100, St. Augustine, FL 32086, serving St. Augustine, Crescent Beach and Anastasia Island. Give us a call at 904-295-6772 to set up a free consultation.
It can. Your jaw sits on top of your neck, so when your head drifts forward or your neck is tight, the jaw muscles can end up working harder. That's why we check your neck and posture, not just your jaw.
Every visit is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We use hands-on treatment for your jaw and neck, strengthening for your posture, and exercise videos in our app, so you know what to do between visits.
No. Florida lets you start physical therapy without one. If your dentist or doctor has already looked at your jaw, bring along what they told you, since it helps us see the full picture.
If jaw pain, clicking or clenching is wearing on you, come see us in St. Augustine. We'll check your jaw, neck and posture one-on-one, and tell you honestly if you need a dentist or doctor instead.
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Let's find out why your jaw is working so hard and give it a break. Start with a free consultation.
or call (904) 295-6772