Hi there!I just started physical therapy.I am suppose to go 3 times a week for 8 weeks.(they might lessen the amount per week as time goes on.)Has anyone had positive results for muscle and neck problems related to TMJ with PT?If so what kind of relief and how long did it take?Were you sore at first and what types of things do they have you do?If I don't do physical therapy,in a couple months I'll probably barely be able to move.Hope for a reply.Thanks!
Hey USCoast,
I have been going to a pt for 24 visits. I have improved some, but they are getting worried now because I should have improved more. They are now thinking I must have something else wrong with me - we are researching that option now.
The ways I have improved are as follows:
I wore earplugs for 6 years after a week of visits I was out of them almost- I still have to wear them at church and at movie theaters.
I also had no range of motion with my neck and arms - now I have increased to some degree. They want me to go and see a neck and spine specialist to make sure that nothing is out of alignment.
I absoluetly LOVE my pts. They are very caring and seem to know what to do with tmj. They see about 4-5 tmj cases a day. Their staff also is used to seeing people with tmj symtpoms so much when I walk in there with a lock jaw they are understanding. They all love to talk and they get me to feel very comfortable.
Physical therapy gave me some temporary relief, but I can't go forever so it didn't help in the long run. I see a chiropractor as needed and get massage therapy - it does help to some extent. And the chiropractor uses ultrasound on my neck and upper back. I find that does help when things are particularly bad.
I went to physical therapy when I first was diagnosed with tmj and it did help me quite a bit. My pt involved ultrasound massage with water in my mouth for 5 minutes on each side, then ultrasound without the water, then these little pad type things that pulsated ultrasound waves on each side for 5 minutes. It felt great and I loved it. It did help me for a while. I wish I would have stopped there. Instead I agreed to a very minor surgery that they call artrhocentesis and it made my symptoms twice as bad as they were before. (I agreed to it because I started to lock up mildly a couple of times and it scared me). So I am all for anyone going to pt if their insurance covers it. If not, thats alot of money to come up with for a not so long term releif.
Good luck,
Mary
Physical therapy helped TMJ related symptoms? 
