If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain, clicking, or the sensation that your jaw just won’t open fully, you’re not alone. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder—commonly known as TMJ or TMD—affects millions of people, often causing chronic discomfort in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. Many people try bite guards, medications, or even physical therapy, only to find temporary relief. But what if the root cause of your TMJ issues lies in something as simple as how your tongue rests in your mouth? That’s where myofunctional therapy comes in.
Understanding TMJ Pain and Its Root Causes
The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body. It controls jaw movement and is responsible for talking, chewing, and yawning. Unfortunately, it’s also easily affected by muscle tension and imbalances in the mouth and face. One of the lesser-known contributors to TMJ pain is poor tongue posture or an undiagnosed tongue tie, which can place strain on the muscles of the jaw, head, and neck. When the tongue rests low in the mouth—rather than gently suctioned to the roof—it can cause tension in the muscles around the TMJ, leading to chronic pain, clenching, and grinding.
How Myofunctional Therapy Targets the Source of TMJ Dysfunction
Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the tongue, jaw, and face to function properly. Through a series of simple exercises, clients learn how to correct tongue posture, improve nasal breathing, and strengthen the muscles that support the jaw. This reduces the strain on the TMJ and helps alleviate the muscle tension that often leads to pain and dysfunction. Many clients report feeling a release in jaw and neck tension after just a few weeks of therapy—and for those with a tongue tie, combining therapy with a release procedure (frenectomy) could offer even greater relief.
Relief Beyond the Jaw: The Whole-Body Benefits
Addressing TMJ issues isn’t just about reducing jaw pain. When you correct oral posture and eliminate muscle tension in the head and neck, many people experience relief from chronic headaches, neck stiffness, and even upper back pain. Some clients also notice improvements in sleep, as they are no longer clenching or grinding their teeth through the night. Myofunctional therapy doesn’t just offer symptom relief—it treats the underlying cause to create lasting change.
Is Jaw Pain Holding You Back? Let’s Fix It at the Source.
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Call: 502-724-5562
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