What Is TMJ Disorder?
Often referred to as TMJ syndrome, temporomandibular joint dysfunction refers to pain in the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. This condition can stem from various causes and may lead to different problems in other areas of the head. TMJ syndrome is often associated with neck pain, headaches, and discomfort around the ear or face. It can also cause the jaw to lock, making it difficult to open, or produce clicking and popping sounds when chewing or biting down. At UMG Physical Therapy in Columbia, MD, our team can help manage and alleviate these symptoms through patient-centered treatment plans.
How Is TMJ Disorder Treated?
TMJ disorder is treated using a combination of techniques aimed at relieving pain and improving jaw function. Our physical therapists focus on exercises to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles, helping to reduce tension and discomfort. They may use manual therapy, such as gentle joint mobilization, to improve the alignment and mobility of the jaw. Additionally, modalities like heat or cold therapy, ultrasound, and sometimes dry needling can be applied to relieve pain and inflammation. Education on posture and behavior modification is often provided to prevent further strain on the jaw, and therapists may also suggest exercises for TMJ disorder that include the neck and shoulders, as these areas can impact TMJ function.
What Are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, can affect the jaw and surrounding areas, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Recognizing these signs early can help manage the condition more effectively, like:
- Joint or facial pain
- Pain with yawning, chewing, or talking
- Headaches
- Popping or clicking in the jaw
- Jaw swelling
- Tinnitus or mild hearing loss
- Ear pain
- Symptoms lasting days to years
UMG Physical Therapy Reviews
Kevin was amazing! Alway flexible with scheduling. The facility was clean and welcoming. I will be back, if needed. Thank you for all you did to get me back on my feet.
I arrived with sciatica pain 4 weeks ago, and Dr. Ung immediately knew a plan that would properly diagnose and treat. The exercise plan was gradual but very effective with the added dry needling and heating. My sciatica pain and lower back has felt the best it had all year, and now I can roll in to 2026 with a healthy start.
Knowledgeable and friendly! Thank you for helping me get back to 100%!
Going to Umg PT was a great experience! They were very understanding, answered all my questions, alleviated my pain and taught me stretches to help prevent future discomfort.
Okay, so, a long time ago in August 2025, I woke up with excruciating neck pain. I was unable to turn my head and sleeping it off didn’t fix the issue. I went to UMG Urgent Care (also an amazing experience) and Stephanie told me that I would benefit from physical therapy to work through the neck pain. She recommended the physical therapy they had on site, and the rest is history.I cannot emphasize this enough; if there is an even an inkling that you might need physical therapy, please go to UMG Physical Therapy. Jeffery and Kevin are both so kind, funny, knowledgeable, and really help you work through and understand what’s causing the pain and how their exercises will help resolve the issue. Also, did you know that flat-footedness is fixable? No? Just me? Well, I learned that while I was here!I originally went in for neck pain, and then went to them for knee strength training so I was there for a good, long while. And let me tell you, I am not an early bird whatsoever. But the environment and staff are so amazing that I was always happy and ready to go to my morning sessions that I attended *before* work— that’s how great they are. And the routines they teach you really make a difference; if my neck or legs start acting up, I do the stretches and I’m good to go!Kevin and Jeffery are both super easy to talk to and they really pay attention to the patients on both the medical side and the personal side. They’d ask followup questions about my weekend outings or physical discomfort I had been experiencing the week prior. Considering that I was doing new stretches in front of essentially strangers every week, they make you feel right at home as you do it.TL;DR: if you e v e r need to go to Physical Therapy, no question, you have to go here. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
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Experience Relief from TMJ Pain
The skilled physical therapists at UMG Physical Therapy in Columbia, MD can create a personalized plan with stretches and exercises to help ease TMJ pain by reducing joint and muscle tension, providing the relief you're looking for. By following the recommended therapy, you can strengthen the muscles that control the jaw and reduce the chances of future flare-ups. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and start your path to TMJ relief.