Most people who exercise regularly will attest to the numerous health benefits it provides, from better sleep to improved mental health to decreased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. But there’s another benefit you may not have considered: exercising your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). This simple bit of self-care may help you manage your TMJ disorder more effectively and even help reduce your symptoms. Let’s take a look at the surprising health benefits of exercising your TMJs, why they’re so effective, and how you can do them in your own home or office without anyone knowing!
What are the benefits?
Exercise for TMJ? Yep, it’s true. Working out your temporomandibular joints can help ease pain, improve muscle tone and lessen symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. So how do you go about doing it? Read on for a full breakdown of why exercising your temporomandibular joints is beneficial—plus several exercises to try out at home. What are TMJ Disorder Symptoms? The first step to easing pain associated with a temporomandibular joint disorder is by figuring out what exactly you’re dealing with.
Is there any way to get these benefits without exercising?
If your jaw pain is caused by TMJ disorder, then there is no cure that doesn’t involve exercising your temporomandibular joints. While most doctors would recommend that you see a dentist or chiropractor for relief, many specialists will also help patients work out their temporomandibular joints. It can be a painful process, but it can also help you feel better almost immediately. If you don’t want to exercise your jaw but are suffering from TMJ disorder, talk to your doctor about prescription medications that may provide some relief. You might find relief without doing any kind of exercises at all!
Which exercises should I do?
Because your TMJ disorder may manifest itself in different ways, depending on how severe it is, you may benefit from a variety of exercises. Your oral surgeon or dentist can tell you what type of exercise works best for you. For example, exercises that put pressure on your jaw joint will give you a more intense workout than those that isolate muscles outside your mouth. Additionally, if other areas are affected—such as your neck and shoulders—the exercises should target those areas as well. It’s also important to ask about any precautions to take before starting an exercise program; for example, many orthodontic patients will not be allowed to do chin-ups because they might damage their braces or bands.
Can I receive similar benefits if I use oral splints instead?
Oral splints are often used to treat TMJ disorders. A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a group of conditions that may cause pain and other symptoms in your jaw muscles, bones, joints, or surrounding tissues. While oral splints can provide short-term relief from TMJ symptoms, there isn’t enough evidence to show they improve long-term outcomes such as reducing pain or improving function over time. So if you have TMJ disorder and are looking for ways to manage your symptoms without invasive treatment, try out some exercises instead!
How long will it take before I see results?
If you’re new to exercising, we suggest starting with three days a week. Try any or all of these exercises in one session or break it up into two sessions—it really doesn’t matter as long as you do them on at least three days each week for at least four weeks. If you continue to feel some discomfort after 4-6 weeks of use, try alternating between using and not using ice packs. In many cases, following your exercise routine with a small amount of ice can help reduce inflammation and swelling associated with TMJ disorder. We also recommend seeing your dentist if you continue to experience pain after four months or more so they can perform a thorough oral exam.
How often should I exercise my temporomandibular joint muscles?
If you have a TMJ disorder, it may be beneficial to do exercises that work out your temporomandibular joints. This may help ease pain and lessen symptoms. Where can I learn more about this topic? You might want to start by searching for exercises that relieve TMJ symptoms online or at your local library; you’ll find hundreds of articles, guides, and videos all focused on helping you identify exercises that will benefit your specific situation.
What precautions should I take when exercising my TMJ muscles?
While it is always a good idea to be careful when performing any type of physical activity, there are certain precautions you should take when exercising your TMJ muscles. While doing these exercises, you should make sure that your jaw joint is not at risk for misalignment. You can do so by trying to keep your upper and lower teeth aligned. Additionally, many people will recommend that if you are experiencing any symptoms or discomfort during exercise, you should discontinue with these exercises until symptoms have subsided.
Where can I learn more about this topic?
How do I know if I have TMJ? Learn more about temporomandibular disorders in What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome? from WebMD. Is pain interfering with your daily activities? Find out how you can start to get relief today by visiting , TMJ Treatment from Mayo Clinic.