APRIL 2022 NEWSLETTER

 We are all returning back to our normal activities whether it is work, uni, school, home duties or recreational sports. After any break from our normal routine , our bodies occasionally experience problems adapting and we end up with some muscle soreness and poor fitness levels. This is especially true after 2years of Covid

This month we look at neck and TMJ pain.

Pain and dysfunction of the TMJ

Jaw and neck pain symptoms can start from stress , teeth grinding or in a combination of poor posture.

These symptoms are becoming more common complaints with the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Neck and jaw pain are inter-related and linked to poor posture. Ear pain and headaches can also manifest from TMJ dysfunction which comes from the altered biomechanics.

In treatment we can assess the postural relationships of:

1) Head to neck

2) Neck to shoulders

3) Lower jaw to upper jaw

Treatment involves :

1) Teaching the client to learn a new postural position

2) Exercises to fight the 'soft tissue memory' of the old position

3) Restore original muscle length through stretches and exercises

4) Mobilise to restore normal joint movement

5) Home program of posture awareness and exercise