TMJ is a common medical condition which may be a source of severe pain and discomfort that you could definitely do without.
It may be the cause of a variety of symptoms affecting the upper half of the body including anything from headaches to unbearable jaw pain.
These symptoms eventually lead to bigger problems such as insomnia and an increased level of stress in the patient's life.
In this article are the best 3 tried and true exercises a patient with TMJ can perform to reduce symptoms of the condition.
1.
While facing a mirror, open and shut the mouth slowly.
In many cases, the jaw may tend to open on one side better at first giving it an overall crooked appearance.
TMJ is commonly caused by this.
In slow controlled movements, open and close the mouth but try to do so evenly.
These movements will help to increase blood flow into the muscles around the jaw and consequently relieve pain to some degree.
This exercise should be done at a rate of 10 times per session about 3 times a day to produce results over time.
2.
Side to Side movements.
While facing a mirror, make a fist and then place it to the left of your jaw.
Use the fist to push the jaw to one side until you can feel a sort of pull.
Hold it in position for approximately 4 seconds.
Do this exercise 4 times per session around 3 times a day.
The same should be repeated of course on the right side in order to stretch out the muscles of the jaw and relief tension within them until you begin to slowly regain your full range of motion.
3.
The Dixie Cup.
While this may be more of a technique to relief pain rather than cure TMJ, it's still quite effective.
A Dixie cup is filled with water about ¼ of its capacity and then left in the freezer.
Once it becomes frozen, its bottom is placed on the TMJ and moved in a circular motion.
This will not only create a numbness in the joint leading to pain relief but will also have the added benefit of working and massaging the sore and tense muscles around the joint.