What is TMJD?
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) is a general term for a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint — the joint on each side of your head in front of your ears, where your lower jawbone meets your skull. This joint allows you to open and close your mouth. TMJD is characterized by pain of the jaw joint that is made worse during or after eating or yawning. It can cause limited jaw movement and clicks and pops during chewing. In severe cases, pain can radiate into the neck, shoulders and back.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders May Include:
• Pain or tenderness of your jaw
• Aching pain or pressure in and around your ear
• Pain in the neck and shoulders
• Difficulty chewing or discomfort while chewing
• Aching facial pain
• Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your
mouth
• Jaw muscle stiffness
• Headache
• A bite that feels "off"
Why Choose Physical Therapy for TMJ?
Scientists strongly recommend treating TMJD with the most conservative approaches possible, including physical therapy interventions. These are treatments that do not cause permanent changes in, or change the structure or position of, the jaws or teeth. Even when these disorders have become persistent, most patients still do not need aggressive types of treatment as research has shown that irreversible aggressive treatments may even make the problem worse.
Meet your TMJD Therapists!
Joel Allen
PT, MSPT
Alex Brown
PT, DPT, OCS, CMP
Hellertown: 484-526-5040
David Brewer
PT, DPT
Pennsburg: 267-424-8170
Jesse Buggey
PT, DPT, OCS
Allentown, Hamilton St: 484-426-2930
Sharon Ernst
PT, CLT, GCS
St. Luke's North: 484-526-3200
Andrew Feher
PT, DPT, OCS
West End, Allentown: 484-426-2544
Jeff Hashagen
PT, MSPT, CLT
Macungie: 484-426-2055
Jessica Herness
PT, DPT
Rett Holmes
PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT
Anderson Campus: 484-503-0040
Stephen Kareha
PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, ATC, CMP, CSCS
West End, Allentown: 484-426-2544
Eric Kennedy
PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CMP
Bethlehem Township: 484-526-3540
Matthew Kosar
PT, DPT
Jeremy Kushner
Nazareth: 484-503-6465
Ken Luczejko
PT, DPT
Center Valley: 484-526-7111
Susan Reagan
MS, PT, CLT
Emmaus: 610-967-0770
Laura Rothermel
PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Hellertown: 484-526-5040
Hannah Stitt
PT, DPT, OCS
Forks: 484-503-6405
Seth Young
PT, MSPT, OCS
Nazareth: 484-503-6465