If you’re living with constant jaw pain, facial tension, clicking sounds, or headaches that won’t go away, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder—a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. While common, TMJ dysfunction can disrupt everyday life, making it difficult to chew, speak, sleep, or simply feel comfortable throughout your day.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine’s Kennesaw clinic, we provide TMJ physical therapy—a gentle, non-surgical approach that addresses the root cause of your pain. Unlike medications that only mask symptoms or surgery that carries higher risks, physical therapy focuses on restoring proper jaw alignment, muscle balance, and long-term function—without downtime or invasive procedures.
Whether your TMJ issues stem from teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, stress, or previous injury, our team of highly trained physical therapists and physicians will develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to your body, your symptoms, and your lifestyle.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex and frequently used joints in your body. Located just in front of each ear, it acts as a hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull, enabling you to chew, speak, yawn, and swallow.
Because of its intricate structure and constant use, the TMJ is highly sensitive to stress, injury, and imbalance. When this joint—or the muscles and tissues surrounding it—becomes irritated or strained, it can lead to a range of painful and limiting symptoms known collectively as TMJ disorder or TMD.
Tight or overactive muscles in the jaw, neck, or shoulders can cause improper jaw mechanics, leading to pain and dysfunction over time.
Often occurring during sleep or stressful moments, bruxism puts excessive pressure on the TMJ and surrounding muscles, resulting in soreness, tightness, and joint wear. Read more about Bruxism.
An uneven bite (malocclusion), previous jaw injury, or dental issues can cause your TMJ to overcompensate, increasing stress on the joint and muscles.
Stress and anxiety often manifest physically as jaw clenching or poor posture, both of which can worsen TMJ symptoms. This chronic tension can also lead to muscle fatigue and inflammation.
TMJ disorder symptoms vary from person to person, but often affect more than just the jaw. You might notice:
These symptoms may come and go—or become more frequent and severe if left untreated.
Most TMJ disorders aren’t caused by the joint itself—but by muscular tension, movement imbalances, and poor biomechanics. Physical therapy addresses these core issues through targeted manual therapy, strengthening exercises, and posture correction, helping restore balance where it matters most.
By retraining the jaw and surrounding muscles, physical therapy can break the cycle of pain, clenching, and compensation, allowing the TMJ to function properly again.
Our specialized TMJ physical therapists focus on releasing tight fascia and trigger points around the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. These tight areas often lead to:
Therapy also helps reduce local inflammation, promoting tissue healing and improving joint comfort over time—without the need for injections or medications in many cases.
Proper TMJ function relies on smooth, balanced movement between the jaw and skull. When misalignment or muscle overuse occurs, even small motions—like chewing or yawning—can become painful or limited.
Through a combination of stretching, strengthening, joint mobilization, and patient education, our therapists help restore:
This leads to more natural jaw movement—and fewer flare-ups or relapses down the road.
While medications or surgery may offer temporary relief, they don’t always address the underlying functional problems causing TMJ pain. Physical therapy is:
Many patients find that physical therapy not only relieves TMJ symptoms, but also improves their posture, breathing, and overall stress levels—making it a truly holistic approach.
Your first visit begins with a comprehensive TMJ assessment performed by a licensed physical therapist who specializes in temporomandibular joint dysfunction. During this evaluation, we take the time to:
If needed, our physical therapy team will collaborate with Medici’s in-house orthopaedic specialists or pain management physicians to create a multi-modality care plan that integrates other treatments like Botox, oral appliances, or medication management.
This integrated approach sets Medici apart, allowing us to offer seamless care all under one roof.
Based on your initial evaluation, we’ll design a therapy plan customized for your specific TMJ condition. Our treatment is gentle, progressive, and focused on long-term improvement, often including:
Our TMJ physical therapy isn’t just about treating pain—it’s about empowering you with the tools and knowledge to manage your symptoms and prevent future flare-ups.
One of the most effective tools in our TMJ physical therapy toolkit is myofascial release—a gentle, hands-on technique that targets the tight connective tissues surrounding your jaw, face, neck, and shoulders.
Our therapists use this technique to:
In many cases, myofascial release is combined with other advanced techniques, such as:
This approach allows us to address the muscular and fascial restrictions that often underlie TMJ dysfunction—especially in patients with chronic tightness, stress-related jaw clenching, or previous trauma.
TMJ pain is complex—and at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine in Kennesaw, we’re equipped to offer a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care plan when needed. Depending on the severity and nature of your condition, we may integrate additional therapies into your treatment plan:
Botox can be used to relax overactive jaw muscles (like the masseter or temporalis) that contribute to clenching and grinding. This non-surgical treatment offers relief for patients who haven’t responded to conservative care alone.
Custom-fitted by dental professionals, these devices are worn during sleep to prevent teeth grinding and reduce pressure on the TMJ. They’re especially helpful for patients with bruxism or joint instability.
If you’re tired of jaw pain, headaches, or tension interfering with your daily life, know that there’s a better, safer way forward. TMJ physical therapy is one of the most effective first-line treatments for reducing pain, improving jaw function, and restoring your quality of life—without surgery or long-term medication use.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine in Kennesaw, we take a whole-body, non-surgical approach to TMJ care. Our experienced team of physical therapists and medical providers works together to uncover the root of your symptoms and develop a personalized, hands-on treatment plan that fits your body, your goals, and your lifestyle.
The earlier TMJ dysfunction is addressed, the more likely we can prevent long-term joint damage, muscle fatigue, and worsening symptoms.
📍 Visit us at:
2911 George Busbee Parkway, Suite 50, Kennesaw, GA 30144
📞 Call +1-844-328-4624 🔗 Schedule your TMJ consultation today
At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.
Our team delivers specialist care at convenient locations across Metro Atlanta:
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