Your jaw is connected to your skull by the temporomandibular joint. When this joint is harmed or injured, it can lead to TMJ dysfunction. This issue can cause your jaw and the muscles around it to become painful and stiff. Since the joint involves bones, tendons, and muscles, you might experience pain on one or both sides of your jaw, making activities like opening your mouth, speaking, yawning, and chewing quite challenging.
Struggling to chew, yawn, or hearing a click in your jaw? These could be signs of TMJ issues. Book a visit with Stride Physical Therapy for effective treatments to ease your jaw discomfort.
How can I tell if I have TMJ Dysfunction?
Diagnosing TMJ dysfunction doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. If you suspect you have TMJ issues, your doctor will look over your medical history and examine you. They might also refer you to a specialist like an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) or a dentist who focuses on jaw problems.
Before diagnosing TMJ dysfunction, it's important to exclude conditions with similar symptoms, such as trigeminal neuralgia, salivary gland problems, or swollen lymph nodes. After confirming your diagnosis, your treatment will be tailored to your specific symptoms.
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If you have TMJ dysfunction, you might experience jaw pain, a popping sensation when you move your jaw, headaches, tender jaw muscles, your jaw getting stuck, temple pain, and ear pain. Common causes are teeth misalignment, constant chewing gum, arthritis, grinding teeth, or a jaw injury.
How will physical therapy help with my TMJ Dysfunction?
Home treatments like painkillers (Ibuprofen, Aspirin) and ice packs might ease TMJ pain. Sedative oils like clary sage or lavender could offer short-term comfort. If these don't help long-term, stronger options like muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories, dental splints to stop grinding, acupuncture or even surgery may be needed.
For a natural method to treat TMJ dysfunction, consider physical therapy as a highly effective option. When you visit Stride Physical Therapy, we'll thoroughly examine your neck, shoulders, and upper back to see if they're linked to your discomfort. Our experienced Freehold, NJ physical therapists will then tailor a treatment plan to address your unique symptoms and requirements.
Our physical therapist will assess your jaw movement and ease tension in your neck and head muscles. Physical therapy aims to improve jaw function and muscle-joint coordination. Your personalized treatment may include jaw exercises, massage, joint movement techniques, myofascial release, electric therapy, or ultrasound.
Contact Stride Physical Therapy for relief:
Our caring physical therapists focus on you and your wellness, striving to alleviate your symptoms. If you're in Freehold, NJ and struggling with TMJ dysfunction, book an appointment at Stride Physical Therapy Freehold, NJ. Say goodbye to jaw pain and stiffness.
MEET YOUR RECOVERY TEAM
Kanwal Bhardwaj
PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT
Meet Kanwal Bhardwaj, PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT, the driving force behind Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the field, Kanwal brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for holistic healing to his practice. Kanwal's journey began with a Master of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2004. Over the years, he honed his skills and gained invaluable insights during 18 years of service in outpatient physical therapy offices. In 2014, fueled by a desire to deepen his understanding of patient care, he pursued a manual therapy certification (CIMT). This transformative experience allowed him to adopt a whole-body perspective, focusing on treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms...
At Stride Physical Therapy, we're dedicated to transforming lives. With a focus on the root cause of your condition, we're here to help you regain mobility and embrace an active lifestyle. What sets us apart? Our genuine passion for what we do. Let's stride towards a brighter tomorrow together.
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Take one step closer to a pain-free life with Stride Physical Therapy! Discover medication and surgery-free solutions with our sessions.
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Expert Orthopedic and Sports Injury Care in Freehold, NJ
At Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, we specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing orthopedic and sports-related injuries using the latest, evidence-based techniques. Whether you're an athlete recovering from an injury or struggling with chronic joint pain, our expert team is here to help. With state-of-the-art rehabilitation tools and a personalized approach, we focus on restoring movement, reducing pain, and helping you get back to the activities you love—stronger than ever.
Why Choose Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold?
At Stride Physical Therapy, we bring advanced rehabilitation techniques—once reserved for elite athletes—right to our local community in Freehold, NJ. Our one-on-one treatment sessions ensure you receive a customized recovery plan tailored to your specific needs. We are dedicated to fast recovery, effective pain relief, and long-term wellness, so you can move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free.
Conditions We Treat
We provide expert care for a variety of orthopedic and sports-related conditions, including:
✅ Tendon & Ligament Injuries – Sprains, strains, tendonitis, ligament tears
✅ Muscle Disorders – Muscle strains, ruptures, spasms, and inflammation
✅ Pain Management – Chronic headaches, myofascial pain, neck and back pain
✅ Joint Disorders – Osteoarthritis, cartilage damage, ligament injuries, and dislocations
Specialized Rehabilitation Services
Our team at Stride Physical Therapy offers specialized rehabilitation programs tailored to your recovery goals:
✔ Post-Surgical Rehab – Guided recovery plans after orthopedic surgeries
✔ Chronic & Acute Injury Rehab – Treatment for both sudden and long-term conditions
✔ Joint Replacement Therapy – Recovery programs for knee, hip, and shoulder replacements
✔ Spine Rehabilitation – Strengthening programs for back pain and spinal injuries
✔ Sports Injury Rehab – Cutting-edge treatments to help athletes regain peak performance
Take the First Step Toward a Pain-Free Life!
If you're dealing with joint pain, muscle discomfort, or a recent injury, don’t wait to seek treatment. Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ is committed to helping our community stay active, mobile, and pain-free.
📞 Call us today to schedule an appointment, or visit our website to learn more about our expert rehabilitation services. Let’s get you back to doing what you love—without limitations!
