TMJ Relief - Exercises to Relieve TMJ Symptoms

If you are one of many people suffering from the pain and discomfort of TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint disorder, you may be looking for a way to relieve the symptoms. This condition is often accompanied by soreness in the jaw, swelling and inflammation, and can even cause pain and stiffness in your neck and ears. You may also experience clicking or popping when you open and close your jaw, as well as headaches and difficulty eating.

While there are many approaches to TMJ relief, many of them are invasive or require a professional to alter your mouth surgically or dentally. These treatments can be expensive, and not always solve the problem. However, TMJ exercises are one way that you can treat yourself for free, and without need for invasive procedures. These exercises focus on correcting any misalignment of your jawbone, as well as stretching and strengthening the muscles in the jaw region.?

One of the simplest TMJ exercises available requires you to open and close your mouth repeatedly while focusing on keeping your jaw completely straight. This will help correct some cases where your jaw may shift to one side or the other as you close your mouth. You should open and close your mouth a few times in succession, doing so slowly and controlling the alignment of your teeth. Repeat a few times a day, and over the course of time you will find that it becomes easier to maintain control, and you will find that the pain subsides.

If you are not having any issues with misalignment of the jaw, you may just need to stretch the muscles. If this is the case, practice opening your mouth slowly, until it is open as wide as possible. Then close your mouth and repeat. This particular TMJ exercise will work to relieve tension on the muscles and tendons. It is important that you are opening your mouth as wide as you possibly can, otherwise the tendons will not be stretched completely, and you will not accomplish the TMJ relief you are wanting.

Another exercise that can be used to relieve clicking and popping in your jaw is also available. Start with your mouth closed, and push your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Then roll your tongue to the very back. Now, slowly open your mouth until your tongue is no longer touching the roof of your mouth. Hold this position for ten seconds, and then release. Repeat several times a day to achieve the maximum benefit.

The more time you spend working with the muscles in your mouth and jaw, the faster you will find relief, and the longer you will be able to live without the symptoms of TMJ.