TMJ Dysfunction And How Physical Therapy Helps with Dr. Gianna | Ep 131

Jaw clicking, popping, headaches, and that constant “tight” feeling in your face can make you feel like something is seriously wrong, especially when it flares up during eating, yawning, talking, or training. We sit down with Dr. Gianna Morton to get specific about TMJ dysfunction and TMJ pain, what patients actually report, and why the temporomandibular joint is a rehab-able joint with real physical therapy options. We dig into TMJ anatomy in plain language: what the disc does, why the disc itself isn’t the source of pain, and how the surrounding tissues (capsule, ligaments, and muscles like the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids) can drive symptoms. Then we get practical with assessment, including how jaw opening patterns like the S-curve and C-curve help us think about disc involvement, restriction, hypermobility, and neuromuscular control instead of just chasing noise. A major theme is the jaw-neck connection. We talk trigeminal nerve pathways, upper cervical referral, and why treating the cervical spine, deep neck flexors, and scapular control often changes the game. We also address bite guards and night guards honestly: when they help (like bruxism and tooth wear), where they fall short, and why a multi-factor plan tends to work best. You’ll leave with simple, actionable habits (like tongue-to-roof resting posture) plus a clear view of treatment tools like joint mobilizations, soft tissue work, intraoral techniques, and dry needling. If this helped you connect the dots on your jaw pain, subscribe, share it with a friend who clenches, and leave a review with the symptom you want us to tackle next.