How Physical Therapy Helps TMJ Pain Without Injections or Surgery

Is​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ your jaw clicking when you chew? Do you feel tightness when you yawn? Headaches starting from your temples and just won’t go away?

If you have one or more of these symptoms, then the chances are that you have TMJ pain, which, according to the statistics, is very common.

A lot of people think that the only methods of treating jaw pain are injections, mouthguards, or even operations.

Nevertheless, the good thing here is that physical therapy can often help you get your pain alleviated naturally without any need for a needle or a complex procedure. Proactive movement and care that actually helps your jaw work better.

We at Proactive Physical Therapy Sunnyvale see patients every week who are tired of living with jaw discomfort and, with the correct method, we make them comfortable to eat, talk, and laugh ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌again.

Why does the jaw hurt in the first place?

TMJ issues usually happen because the joint and surrounding muscles are overworked or out of balance.

Common triggers include:

• Stress-related jaw clenching or grinding
• Poor posture, especially sitting at a desk all day
• Trauma or dental procedures
• Arthritis and joint inflammation
• Neck tension that spreads to the jaw

Your jaw is closely connected to your neck and head, so when one struggles, the others try to compensate. That’s why TMJ pain often shows up with neck pain, headaches, or shoulder tension.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Naturally

Physical therapy focuses on restoring how the jaw and neck move, relax, and support each other.

At Proactive Physical Therapy, your treatment may include:

• Gentle manual therapy to release tight muscles around the jaw
• Mobility techniques to improve how the joint opens and closes
• Strengthening exercises for better stability
• Breathing and relaxation strategies to reduce stress-related clenching
• Posture coaching so sitting all day doesn’t make things worse

There’s no masking symptoms, we help your body function better, so pain reduces on its own.

Small Changes – Big Relief

Here are a few things patients are surprised to learn:

• Fixing your posture can reduce jaw clicking
• Relaxing the neck can ease pressure in the jaw
• Targeted exercises can improve chewing comfort

And best of all, your body learns to stay in balance, so results last longer. 

When should you consider professional help?

If your jaw:

• Hurts daily
• Clicks or pops when you eat
• Feels stiff or gets stuck
• Causes headaches or ear discomfort

…that’s your sign. You deserve to talk or smile without pain holding you back.

Your Jaw Can Heal Without Surgery

Getting​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ better doesn’t need to be a complex thing. With our physical therapy services in Sunnyvale, we want to support you. Your therapy will be adjusted to your daily routines and your way of living.

If it is your decision to be able to eat without discomfort, to laugh without making a face, and to get up without feeling tightness, then we are definitely the team that you need for your recovery.

Schedule your session with Proactive Physical Therapy Sunnyvale today, moving towards recovery is where it all starts, and it is totally ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌doable.