TMJ/TMD in Clarks Summit

Find Lasting Relief from TMJ and TMD in Clarks Summit

If you’re suffering from chronic jaw pain, headaches, or difficulty chewing or speaking clearly, you may be struggling with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD). This complex condition affects over 10 million Americans, yet it often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

At Body Dynamic in Clarks Summit, our physical therapists specialize in customized TMJ and TMD treatment plans to provide lasting relief. Unlike short-term fixes you’ll find elsewhere, our comprehensive therapies target the root causes of your symptoms so you can regain proper jaw function and live pain-free.

Is TMJ or TMD Causing You Pain?
Many people mistake TMJ or TMD pain for other problems like migraines, toothaches, or general soreness. But if you suffer from symptoms like:

• Chronic jaw, face, neck, or headache pain that comes and goes
• Clicking, popping, or grinding noises when you open or close your mouth
• Locking of the jaw that makes it hard to open your mouth fully
• Ear pain or stuffiness without infection
• Dizziness or ringing in the ears
• Teeth grinding or clenching

Then TMJ or TMD may be to blame. Schedule a thorough evaluation with our Donna Sokolowski to analyze your symptoms and pinpoint exactly what’s causing your discomfort.

Customized TMJ & TMD Treatments in Clarks Summit

No two patients experience TMJ/TMD the same way. That’s why we never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Your care team will collaborate to provide a personalized treatment plan that addresses YOUR unique pain triggers and suits YOUR lifestyle.

After a comprehensive exam, we’ll design a customized program using the most effective approach for your needs:

Manual Therapy
Our skilled therapists use massage, stretching, and mobilization techniques that target painful jaw muscles and restore proper movement to your TMJ. Gentle manual therapy relieves muscle tension to provide both immediate and lasting relief.

Therapeutic Exercises
Special jaw stretches and strengthening exercises will improve your flexibility, mobility, posture, and coordination. Over time, these therapies enhance function to eliminate painful TMJ/TMD symptoms. We’ll teach you how to maintain gains at home between sessions.

Pain Modulation
Modalities like heat/ice therapy, ultrasound, TENS units, and laser therapy calm nerve irritation and stimulate healing. Combining these treatments enhances outcomes and gives a synergistic effect for optimal pain relief.

Patient Education
We’ll provide specific lifestyle recommendations and teach you how to prevent future TMJ flare-ups through posture correction, stress management, dietary changes, and more. Our goal is to give you the tools to self-manage discomfort over the long term.

The Benefits of TMJ/TMD Treatment in Clarks Summit

Over Body Dynamic’s years helping Clarks Summit residents find relief from debilitating TMJ and TMD pain, we’ve seen how transforming targeted physical therapy can be. Patients who complete our program enjoy benefits like:

Lasting Pain Relief
Our specialized treatments don’t just mask your discomfort for a few hours or days. They target the root causes to deliver lasting pain relief so you can live comfortably and confidently again.

Improved Jaw Mobility and Function
Regain your ability to open your mouth freely, chew your favorite foods, speak clearly for long periods, and kiss or laugh without pain or awkwardness. Improved flexibility and strength enhances your oral health significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between TMJ and TMD?
These 2 terms are very similar and often used interchangeably. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) refers specifically to the hinge-like joint that connects your jaw bone to your skull. TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) is a more broad medical term describing all conditions affecting not just the TMJ joint itself but the surrounding muscles and nerves. At its core, TMD involves pain or dysfunction of the chewing muscles and TMJ area.

Does TMJ/TMD ever go away permanently?
For many sufferers, the problem comes and goes in flare-ups throughout their lifetime. But with early effective treatment, it is possible in some mild cases to resolve symptoms entirely. Our goal is to help you successfully manage pain and regain proper jaw function, whether we eliminate your condition completely or equip you to control flare-ups yourself.

Is TMJ/TMD a serious medical concern?
Absolutely. Because we use our jaw muscles constantly to eat, speak, swallow, smile, etc, TMJ/TMD pain prevents people from performing some of life’s most essential activities. Left untreated, it can lead to chronic headaches, arthritis, poor nutrition, social isolation, and major damage to your teeth, facial muscles, and jaw joint. The customized care you’ll receive at Body Dynamic helps avoid these serious complications.

What happens at my first TMJ/TMD therapy session?
Your initial appointment will be with  Donna Sokolowski, or one of our other therapists who are trained in jaw injury rehabilitation. We’ll evaluate your medical history, lifestyle factors, symptom triggers, and perform assessments to determine jaw strength, mobility restrictions, and alignment. Then we’ll introduce you to therapy options best suited to your situation. Many patients experience significant relief immediately after this first session.

About The Author

Imagine overcoming limitations and regaining your physical strength. Dr. Sarah Walker, a licensed Physical Therapist specializing in performing arts physical therapy, has helped performers from renowned ballet companies like New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theater, as well as the Rockettes has helped others do just that. Practicing at Body Dynamic in Clarks Summit, Dr. Sarah Walker believes in tailored care and utilizes innovative techniques to create unique solutions for each patient’s journey.

Take Control of Your Health with Specialized Care

If popping joints, searing facial pain, and decreased ability to chew, speak or concentrate threaten to control your life, we can help. With proven physical therapy protocols tailored to your unique needs, Body Dynamic serves as your partner on the path to healing.

Experience the difference specialized TMJ/TMD care makes. Call Body Dynamic in Clarks Summit now to schedule your consultation. The first step towards feeling like yourself again starts today!