4 TMJ Exercises to Relieve TMJ Pain

TMJ, a disorder in which the upper and lower jaws are dislocated, can be cured by TMJ exercises. While the exact cause of TMJ is not known, individuals with the disorder experience pain when opening their mouths. In some cases, the pain will spread to other parts of the body. If TMJ is not treated, it will eventually cause arthritis.

Avoiding stress to the area and immediate attention are the best ways to cure TMJ completely. While in some cases, it may be necessary to see a doctor, these TMJ exercises will relieve the pain and are effective at healing the disorder. If pain persists longer than a week, seek out medical attention as this may be a sign that there are further complications.

1. Rest the chin on the palm. Clench the fist in order to provide a firm position for the chin to rest. Maintain the pressure while opening the mouth and closing slowly. Repeat this exercise with ten second intervals to rest between openings. Make sure the rest the jaw firmly on the chin and ensure that it stays in contact at all times. This exercise is designed to maintain the jaw in correct alignment and avoid strain on the muscles and tendons.

2. Place two fingers on top of the lower middle teeth. Press hard against the teeth while opening the mouth widely. Close slowly and repeat as many times as possible for up to ten minutes. Be careful while doing this exercise as too much pressure can cause further damage. Maintain a firm pressure against the bottom teeth as this will help to relocate the jaws, but avoid causing pain. If this exercise begins to hurt, stop immediately.

3. This easy exercise can be done several times a day safely. Place the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth. While keeping the tongue touching the roof, slowly open the mouth as much as possible. Close closely and repeat several times. Keeping the tongue on the roof of the mouth forces the jaw to open in correct alignment. This exercise can be repeated several times during the day and should be done periodically to ensure that the jaw is in correct alignment.

4. Using both hands, press fingers into the jaw at the joint on both sides of the mouth. Apply a firm force on each side, like you would do if aligning a clamp. Slowly open and close the mouth, keeping firm pressure with the hands. This exercise will align the jaws safely. If there is pain, stop the exercise immediately.

These four exercises are an at-home way to cure TMJ. Not only will doing these exercises heal, they will also relieve pain to the jaw and face. While it may be necessary to see a doctor if pain persists, these exercises can help with mild to moderate TMJ.