Like any other joint, the jaw can also be injured when it is placed under excessive amounts of stress! Luckily, Physical Therapists have all the necessary tools at their disposal to help evaluate and treat the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ).
Here are a few recommendations to help maintain a healthy jaw:
- Chewing gum
- Leaning your jaw/chin into your hand, especially on one side more than the other
- Chewing on objects like a pen or drawstring from a hoodie
- Chewing on your fingernails
- Eating food that requires you to open your mouth excessively
Take smaller bites of food when eating, and try to chew your food with both sides of your jaw. If you do chew gum, try switching sides while chewing. TMJ problems can often lead to secondary complications such as headaches or neck pain. On the flip side, having poor motor control of your neck, or poor posture can contribute to TMJ dysfunction.
If your jaw is bothering you, consult your physiotherapist!
