{"id":87,"date":"2020-10-30T18:43:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T18:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/?p=87"},"modified":"2021-06-30T18:45:10","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T18:45:10","slug":"quick-easy-tmj-exercises-relieve-jaw-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/30\/quick-easy-tmj-exercises-relieve-jaw-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Quick and Easy TMJ Exercises to Relieve Jaw Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Inhaling-to-relax-as-part-of-TMJ-exercises-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Inhaling to relax as part of TMJ exercises\" class=\"wp-image-88\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Inhaling-to-relax-as-part-of-TMJ-exercises-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Inhaling-to-relax-as-part-of-TMJ-exercises-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Inhaling-to-relax-as-part-of-TMJ-exercises-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Inhaling-to-relax-as-part-of-TMJ-exercises.jpg 1430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The temporomandibular joints, commonly referred to as the TMJ, are sensitive and complex structures. Imbalance or strain on the TMJ can lead to TMJ dysfunction, which is otherwise known as TMD. One of the primary symptoms of TMD is pain and tightness in the jaw. Do you suspect that you have TMD? You should certainly seek <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/tmd-tmj-pain-treatment.html\">TMJ therapy<\/a> from a qualified professional. However, there may also be some steps you can take at home to ease the tension in your TMJ and find a measure of pain relief. Let\u2019s talk about some jaw exercises that might help you accomplish just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stretching Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Effective stretching can reduce muscle tension and strain. Here are a few techniques for stretching your jaw:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Hold the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Open your mouth as wide as possible (without causing discomfort), and hold that position for 5 \u2013 10 seconds.<\/li><li>With the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, push your lower jaw out as far as you can. Hold it there for 5 \u2013 10 seconds before you pull it back as far as possible. Again, hold it for 5 \u2013 10 seconds.<\/li><li>Open your mouth as wide as you can and hold your position for 5 \u2013 10 seconds. Then, with your mouth slightly open, glide your lower jaw forward and backward 5 \u2013 10 times.<\/li><li>With your mouth closed and your head facing straight ahead, move your lower jaw to the left and hold it there for 5 \u2013 10 seconds. Do the same thing on the other side.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relaxation Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>TMD is often related to muscle tension throughout the body. Hence, taking some time to relax yourself from head to toe may have beneficial effects for your TMJ. Here are a few simple relaxation exercises:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Slowly inhale, expanding your stomach rather than your chest. Then, slowly exhale. Repeat 5 \u2013 10 times.<\/li><li>While sitting or lying in a relaxed position, flex each muscle in your body, then release the tension from it. This will help you identify areas of tension and consciously release them.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strengthening Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You shouldn\u2019t perform strengthening exercises while you are in the midst of a TMD flare-up. However, you can make efforts to strengthen your jaw between episodes. To strengthen your jaw:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Place your thumb under your chin and use it to provide mild resistance while you open your mouth and hold it open for 5 \u2013 10 seconds.<\/li><li>While your mouth is wide open, place your index finger between your chin and lower lip. Use it as resistance while you close your mouth.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Exercises may be a key part of your TMD relief regimen. A qualified doctor can help you design a personalized plan that will provide long-lasting freedom from jaw pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Amin Mason is a board-certified orthodontic specialist&nbsp;who has completed a one-year craniofacial research fellowship at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. He is highly qualified to diagnose and treat disorders of the TMJ. To learn more about Dr. Mason and the services he offers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/contact-us.html\">contact Columbus Orthodontic Center<\/a> at 614-549-5835.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The temporomandibular joints, commonly referred to as the TMJ, are sensitive and complex structures. Imbalance or strain on the TMJ can lead to TMJ dysfunction, which is otherwise known as TMD. One of the primary symptoms of TMD is pain and tightness in the jaw. Do you suspect that you have TMD? You should certainly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Quick and Easy TMJ Exercises to Relieve Jaw Pain<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to perform some simple, quick, and easy TMJ exercises that can help to relieve jaw tightness that is a result of TMD.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.columbusorthodonticcenter.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/30\/quick-easy-tmj-exercises-relieve-jaw-pain\/\" \/>\n<meta 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