If you are a sufferer of Temporomandibular joint disorder, it may be worth your while to look into posture training and exercise to deal with TMJ disorder. According to some TMJ experts, your posture could be the sole culprit for your jaw pain and there is a fairly easy way to alleviate symptoms.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Your Temporomandibular joint is the joint in your jaw that connects the mandible (the bone of the lower jaw) to the temporal bones of the skull on either side of the head. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
- Jaw pain
- Pain in the face muscles
- Grinding and clicking of the jaw
- Stiffness of the jaw muscles
- Locking of the jaw.
The disorder can range from a slight nuisance to severely debilitating, as it can impact your ability to eat, breathe, talk, and sleep. Approxamitely 12 percent of the population suffers from a TMJ disorder at any given time.
Treatments
- Common treatments for TMJ disorder include:
- Pain medications
- Stabilization splint or bite guard
- Orthodontic treatments
- Crown or bridge work
- Injections
- Surgery
But, other easier options may be a possibility.
Exercise and Posture for TMJ Disorders
From an alignment perspective, the human head should be sitting directly on top of the shoulders. When the head is not sitting in it’s intended position, it strains the surrounding muscles – however, the muscles in the TMJ joint were not intended for heavy lifting. When they are given the added task of holding up your head, they go into “lock down” and the jaw looses its ability to move freely.
To restore correct posture, exercises can be used that may end up helping with TMJ pain. Keeping up with routine and posture stretches daily may help to combat your TMJ pain. To start, try standing against a wall with your heels and hips touching the wall. Does your head easily and naturally touch the wall too? Or do you have to put effort into putting your head back? If the latter is true, you may need to see a professional who can help you come up with an exercise plan to combat your TMJ symptoms.
