Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD)
A jaw that clicks or catches when you chew or talk, aches by the end of the day, and sometimes drags ear pain or headaches along with it. TMJD often shows up as that mix of jaw noise, ache, and tightness.
What it is
TMJD usually involves the muscles that control the jaw joint rather than the joint alone, and the surrounding head and neck muscles are often part of the picture. When those muscles are overworked or guarding, they can limit how the jaw moves and refer pain into the face, ear, and head.
What makes it worse
Clenching, grinding, chewing gum, wide yawning, ongoing stress, and longer dental visits all tend to aggravate it. Many people notice the jaw is tighter and sorer during stressful stretches or after a lot of talking or chewing.
How PNMT helps
Your therapist assesses jaw range of motion and clicking, then works precisely on the jaw muscles and the connected head, neck, and shoulder muscles, including careful intra-oral work inside the mouth with vinyl gloves, guided by your feedback. The team trains specifically in TMJD under Sarah Lashley, who teaches PNMT's TMJ Intensive, so this work is a particular focus here. If the picture points to something that is not muscular, your therapist will say so and refer you on.
What to expect & how long
The TMJD New Client session runs about 60 minutes so there is time to assess and treat thoroughly. Jaw mechanics tend to respond gradually, so think in terms of a course of appointments whose number is set by how the jaw answers along the way. The intra-oral work is precise and slow, and your feedback guides it the whole way.
What clients say
Sarah helped me greatly with tightness in my jaw, head, and neck resulting in tension headaches and migraines. I barely get headaches now with her treatment. I can't thank her enough!
Sarah is amazing! She is both kind and great at helping to resolve chronic pain. My TMJ has improved so much with her care.
Ty helped me so much on my first visit with my TMJ. My normal doctors couldn't figure out the best solution for it, nor my dentist, so decided to try Somavida out. It is worth every penny. They made it a personalized and comfortable experience.
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Ready to Address Your Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD)?
Book a New Client Session and your therapist will identify the source of your pain, then create a tailored treatment plan.
60-minute first visit. Two therapists assess, one treats; every follow-up is one-on-one with your therapist.
Your care isn't shaped by one therapist, the whole Somavida team is behind your treatment plan.