Neck & Jaw (TMJ) Pain Physiotherapist North Sydney.
Neck pain is common, with many of us experiencing it these days with the use of tech devices. Did you know clenching your jaw can also cause neck and shoulder pain?
Though some might assume simple rest will remedy a sore or stiff neck, it is better to have it treated early. Why? Because we simply adapt around the stiffness, and before you know it, the discomfort has spread, perhaps into the shoulders or arm.
Neck pain can arise from tight muscles from sitting at a computer or looking down at an iPad or phone, from stress, a tight jaw (clenching at night – even if you wear a splint), or a stiff thorax (rib cage) and upper chest, shallow breathing.
How is neck pain treated?
To effectively treat and prevent neck pain, it’s crucial to identify its cause.
Neck pain can be exacerbated by poor posture, past injuries, stiffness in areas adjacent to the neck (shoulders, jaw, rib cage), long work hours, stress-induced tension, shallow breathing, muscle weakness, joint arthritis.
The rib cage plays a crucial role in the mechanics of your neck, as does your jaw – by muscle attachents and biomechanics.
At Physio Therapy Yoga in Milsons Point, we assess your whole body to treat neck pain. Your neck may be the victim of stiff shoulders, upper back, rib cage or a tight jaw.
Incorporating manual therapy techniques; massage and joint mobilisation, along with specific exercises to stretch and strengthen your neck is successful in treating neck stiffness and pain.
We also treat the cause – to prevent your pain returning.
Jaw Pain and Temperomandibular (TMJ) dysfunction:
Do you clench or grind your teeth? Often, you do this unconsciously, in your sleep. Despite wearing a splint provided by your dentist, tension or dysfunction in the temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) can be a surprising cause behind persistent headaches, neck or shoulder pain.
Headaches often start from muscular tension, nerve irritation, or trigger points related to the muscles and joints in your neck or jaw.
Fortunately, physiotherapy offers effective treatments to alleviate TMJ-induced headaches, neck or shoulder pain.
Effective Treatment for Neck Pain:
When treating neck pain, a whole body assessment is paramount.
This involves:
- Evaluating alignment and movement patterns.
- In-depth discussion about past injuries, treatments, and lifestyle habits.
- Identifying all the areas where movement is restricted, causing undue strain on the neck.
- Striking a balance between muscle flexibility and strength.
Often, there’s an overemphasis on strengthening, neglecting the importance of muscle mobility and relaxation.
Our goal at Physio Therapy Yoga is not just to provide immediate relief but to prevent the recurrence of neck pain.
For Bookings:
Clinically experienced physiotherapist in North Sydney using further knowledge in biomechanics and functional anatomy to relieve any persistent or longstanding pain.
We will teach you how to ultimately heal your own body.