Headaches & TMJ Disorders

• Do you have headaches?
• Does your neck hurt?
• Is it difficult to find a comfortable position for your head?
• Do you feel pressure in your head and neck?
• Do you have facial pain?
• Does your jaw click and pop?
• Do you have "knots" in your facial and neck muscles?
• Are you dizzy?
• Is it difficult to keep good posture?

Specialized physical therapy can help you...

The head, neck, and jaw complex is an amazing system.  Under normal conditions, the head is dynamically balanced on the cervical spine (neck), so your eyes can look to the horizon.  The neck muscles, along with the vestibular system (eyes), work together to balance your head on a curve.  This is known as cervical lordosis. Furthermore, the head-neck position influences the rest position and movement path of the mandible (jaw). Finally, the teeth become the final point of contact during functional activity, such as chewing.

Therefore, any imbalance in occlusion (teeth), temporomandibular joints (TMJ), cervical spine, vestibular system, and ocular system can upset the balance of the head, neck, and jaw complex.  Imbalance occurs in a sudden trauma like car accidents or with microtrauma, such as poor posture.  Repetitive overuse activities can also create imbalance, such as clenching and poor sitting posture at laptops.  Some imbalance is congenital, or from birth, such as scoliosis, leg length discrepancy, and torticollis.

Imbalance of the head, neck, and jaw complex can lead to spinal misalignment, muscle trigger points, and nerve impingement, which leads to headaches, neck pain, facial pain, and dizziness.  

Highly skilled therapists at Sternen Physical Therapy work closely with internists, dentists, headache neurologists, and ENTs, to restore balance to your head, neck, and jaw complex.

If you are suffering from headaches, neck pain, facial pain, and/or dizziness, a craniomandibular cervical physical therapy evaluation is indicated. 

 Physical therapy treatment for headaches, facial pain, and neck pain begins with a comprehensive craniomandibular cervical evaluation.  An extensive examination of your posture, cervical spine, temporomandibular joints, and upper quarter is completed.  Vestibular screening is done when indicated.  Palpation techniques are used to isolate specific joints and muscles that provoke your specific pain pattern.  Individualized treatment programs are established based on the evaluation findings.  Advanced therapists use a variety of manual therapy techniques, neuromuscular reeducation, exercise, and patient education to ease your pain.  

A variety of hands on techniques are used to release restrictions in the body's fascia, surrounding musculature, and joints.  

• Myofascial Release
• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Trigger Point Release
• Joint Mobilization
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Intraoral Release
• TMJ Mobilization
• Integrative Dry Needling/Cupping
  

Physical therapy modalities are used to decrease inflammation, reduce pain, and promote healing of involved tissues

• Ultrasound
• Iontophoresis
• Electrical Stimulation
• Neuroprobe
• Mechanical Traction

A specific exercise program is designed for you to restore the balance to your body and promote improved function.  

• Range of motion
• Strengthening
• Neuromuscular Reeducation
• ​Therapeutic Activity