Ways to TMJ Exercise
What is this TMJ relief for? I think it is best if first we describe TMJ as it is often considered to be a disorder. TMJ is the temporomandibular joint or in nonprofessional’s term, the jaw joint. There are two TMJs working conjointly. These two bones are located on both sides from the joints. Cranium is the upper bone , it is called the temporal bone, and the mandible is the lower jaw bone . These joints have to work in unison because they are connected together by the articular disc, and their functions are interconnected. The lower joint compartment is for the rotational movement when the mouth is opened. Adding up , the upper joint compartment is for the translational movement when the mouth is opened widely. Accordingly, if one of them is not working decently, then that causes a lot of pain .
TMJ dysfunction can easily be spotted as it causes pain over the joint or you have difficulty opening your mouth. Nevertheless, some of the TMJ disfunction are related to other parts of the body like your eyes, ears, neck and a lot more. Toothaches, headaches, and even migraines are some examples of its cause . This is not a simple matter that should be ignored and so, professional help is important . Exercise is a very efficient way of ridding the pain caused by TMJ dysfunction. To determine the correct exercise and the correct diagnosis, one should seek the help of a medical specialist first before doing any of the steps .
For your first TMJ exercise, sit on a chair with your back resting comfortably against the backrest. Close your mouth, use your thumb and forefinger to press the front of your lower jaw. Press your head backwards and make sure that it is not bent, this would force the mouth to open slightly. You will know if you have done this correctly, as you will feel your lower teeth moving backwards in synchronization with your upper teeth. Gently move your head and jaw forward and never look up and down. Perform these steps five times a day for best results.
Secondly, place your thumb and forefinger against your face onto your lower jaw. You also have to make sure that your upper and lower teeth are apart. You would feel your upper and lower teeth moving in unison while you slowly press your jaw backwards. In a few seconds after the first exercise , gently press your jaw against your hand and hold on to that position for about ten seconds. While keeping that position, gently press your lower jaw making sure to thrust your lower teeth forward.
With the last TMJ exercise , gently clasp your teeth together and place the tip of your tongue just behind the front teeth. Run your tongue backwards until you feel the soft palate. Then carefully open your mouth, stopping when you feel your tongue leaving the soft palate, or if you feel pain or uncomfortable doing this. Repeat this exercise several times per day. It’s very important that you perform these exercises properly to benefit from them.
