Facial Muscle or Joint Home Therapy
TMJ Level I Therapy (Facial Muscle or Joint Home Therapy)
Hot/Cold Massage
3x/ Day
ice pack on face x 5min to numb area
Warm moist towels (microwave moist washcloth 30 sec) *check to make sure not too hot and massage muscles of face x 10 minutes
Massage intraorally behind last tooth up ramus (jaw bone) if tender
Tongue Reflex
Place the tongue behind maxillary central incisors (upper front two teeth) when swallowing
Place the tongue between maxillary centrals incisor teeth @ all times to create a relaxed jaw reflex if not able to do so by the following.
Close your lips and swallow with teeth apart and tongue in the palatal vault area
Keep your lips closed and breathe through your nose.
A negative suction should be created to suspend the lower jaw and allow a relaxed jaw position.
This is to decrease the work of the muscles of chewing which are what are hurting you and decrease the load on the joint which may be inflammed.
Diet
Soft, non-chew if possible
Medications
Advil 400 mg every 6 hours round the clock while awake unless you have stomach ulcers, kidney problems, moderate to severe asthma or contraindicated by the package insert
Lortab only per extreme pain if prescribed by you doctor
Flexeril at night or every 8 hours (if severe muscle spasm) if prescribed by your doctor
Don’t expect changes overnight, it may take up to 2 weeks to see some improvements
Call your doctor if any changes or concerns