TMJ Pain Treatment in Norwich — Physiotherapy & Acupuncture
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction can cause persistent jaw pain, headaches, facial tension, and difficulty eating and speaking. Ellie Yuen Physiotherapy offers tailored TMJ physiotherapy and acupuncture treatments designed to target the root cause of your symptoms, helping you move, chew, and live more comfortably.
What is TMJ dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction, also known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. The temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw to the skull, just in front of your ears. When this joint and its supporting muscles become misaligned, irritated, or overworked, it can lead to pain, discomfort, and restricted movement.
Signs & symptoms
- Jaw pain or tenderness, particularly in the morning or after chewing.
- Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth.
- Jaw stiffness or limited movement.
- Headaches or migraines, often focused around the temples or base of the skull.
- Pain around the ears, often mistaken for earache.
- Pain or tenderness in the face, neck, or shoulders.
- Difficulty chewing or speaking, or locking of the jaw.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or a feeling of fullness in the ears.
Common causes
Teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw clenching, poor posture in the neck and shoulders, stress and anxiety, trauma or injury to the jaw, arthritis or inflammatory conditions, and malocclusion (bite problems) can all contribute.
Physiotherapy for TMJ dysfunction
Ellie’s personalised, non-invasive approach includes:
- Hands-on therapy — to release tight muscles around the jaw, neck, and shoulders.
- Joint mobilisation — to improve jaw alignment and movement.
- Postural assessment and correction — addressing contributing neck and shoulder posture.
- Personalised home exercise programmes — to strengthen and relax the jaw muscles.
- Breathing and relaxation strategies — to ease muscle tension and stress.
- Follow-up — regular check-ins to monitor progress and adapt the plan.
Acupuncture for TMJ dysfunction
Acupuncture is a powerful complement to physiotherapy for TMJ pain, helping to reduce muscle tension and spasm, improve blood circulation and healing around the jaw, relieve pain and inflammation naturally, and promote relaxation.
FAQ
How many sessions will I need? This varies depending on severity and cause. Some clients feel improvements within 2–3 sessions, while others benefit from a longer course of care.
Is acupuncture safe for TMJ pain? Yes — acupuncture is a safe, well-established treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, including TMJ dysfunction, always delivered following a full assessment.
Can I just have acupuncture without physiotherapy? Yes — acupuncture-only appointments are available if clinically appropriate, though combining both approaches typically gives the best results.
View appointments and book to take the first step towards lasting relief.