We Can Help You
With Your Jaw Pain
At Professional Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine™ in Franklin MA, our doctors and clinicians are experts in determining the cause of your jaw pain and prescribing a course of treatment for pain relief and return of function.
Most Common Jaw Complaints and Limitations:
- Difficulty opening your mouth wide, chewing, or yawning
- Pain in the jaw, cheeks, upper neck
- Clicking noises or locking of jaw with opening mouth wide
Our Specialty
TMJ (Temporamandibular Joint) Disorders (TMD)
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a common condition that limits the natural function of the jaw, such as opening the mouth and chewing, and can cause pain. The TMJ guides jaw movement and allows you to open and close your mouth and move it from side to side to talk, yawn, or chew. TMD can be caused by:
- Bad posture habits
- Chronic jaw clenching (“bruxism”)
- Problems with teeth alignment (“malocclusion”)
- Fracture
- Surgery
- Trismus (“lockjaw”)
- Displacement of the disc
- Arthritis
What Is the First Step?
Start By Scheduling an Evaluation Appointment.
Don't Wait - Get Started Right Now!
Clinical research shows that the sooner you get started with active rehabilitation, the less likely you will need unnecessary tests, medications, or surgery.
Call Us Today at (508) 794-3697
At your evaluation appointment, you will meet with a physical therapist who will perform a thorough evaluation that includes:
- A review of your health history and your specific symptoms.
- A thorough examination that includes assessing the quality and quantity of your movements, and any factors that might put you at risk for delayed recovery or might indicate a serious health problem.
- Assessment of how you use your body at work, at home, during sports, and at leisure.
- Determination of the diagnosis and impairments that are causing your pain and establishment of a treatment plan of care.
What to Expect
What Kind of Treatment Techniques Might I Receive?
Your physical therapist will develop a personalized rehabilitation program for your condition. This program can help you safely return to your desired activities. Some treatment techniques may include:
Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatments to mobilize your muscles and joints to restore and improve proper motion and strength.
Specialized manual therapy offerings at Professional Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine™ include:
- Traction
- Joint mobilization and manipulation
- Soft-tissue mobilization
- Myofascial Release
- Swelling/edema massage
- IASTM- Instrument assisted soft tissue massage
- Graston Therapy
Range-of-Motion Exercise
Activities aimed at improving movement of a specific joint including stretching techniques to decrease muscle tightness and help restore flexibility. There are 3 main types of range of motion (ROM) exercise: Active ROM requires very little assistance from the clinician and is done by the patient. Active-assisted ROM requires partial assistance from the clinician and is done with the patient. Passive ROM requires full assistance from the clinician and is done for the patient.
Muscle Strengthening
Exercises for muscle weakness or imbalance specific to your condition and capability. Sometimes referred to as strength/weight/resistance/endurance training, muscle strengthening exercises can include the use of weights, exercise bands, and body weight. The benefits of muscle strengthening include increased bone strength and muscular fitness.
Pain and Swelling Management
Treatments to reduce pain and inflammation and enhance recovery.
Specialized pain management offerings at Professional Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine™ include:
- Electrical stimulation
- Ultrasound
- Iontophoresis
- Squid® Vasopneumatic Compression
- McConnell taping
- Kinesiotaping
- Deep Tissue Laser Therapy and Dry Needling
Patient Education
Includes providing information about your condition and treatment options and identifying and modifying any factors or activities causing your pain. Instructing you in home pain/swelling management and a home exercise program will help you maintain gains in motion and strength.
Functional Training
Therapeutic activities incorporate the use of multiple parameters such as balance, strength, coordination, and range of motion. Functional activities are designed to safely and gradually progress as you recover to allow for achievement of your functional and recreational goals.
Reviews
What Our Clients Say
I could resume laying down when I slept and performing everyday activities which were impossible before.
Upon arriving at PT, I had terrible pain in my neck and shoulders. The pain that came down my arm was excruciating. My primary care physician said I had a pinched nerve in my neck. After Dr. Patt examined my neck, I was assured that the staff would make me feel better soon (I was skeptical). After working with Dr. Patt and staff for just a couple of weeks, I was feeling much better and could resume laying down when I slept and performing everyday activities which were impossible before. I am now pain-free and so thankful to the staff for their expertise and compassion!
I’m more focused in school and my headaches no longer hold me back.
I started physical therapy because of the tension in my neck that caused me to have painful migraines daily. Now, I can make it through most days without my headaches distracting me. I’m more focused in school and my headaches no longer hold me back. I had a very enjoyable experience with physical therapy. I have seen great improvement and always felt comfortable in the environment.
