Can Dry Needling Help TMJ Pain?

What the Research Says About Dry Needling for Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can make everyday activities - eating, talking, yawning, or even concentrating - uncomfortable. For some people, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), commonly called "TMJ," may also be associated with
headaches, facial pain, jaw tightness, and neck discomfort.
At Unique Care, our physical therapists look beyond the location of pain. We evaluate how the jaw moves, the surrounding muscles, cervical spine mobility, posture, and other factors that may contribute to symptoms.For patients whose TMJ symptoms have a muscular or myofascial component, dry needling may be one part of the treatment plan.

Dry needling uses a thin needle to target specific muscular and soft-tissue structures. Unlike an injection, no medication is injected.
In patients with TMJ-related muscular pain, muscles such as the masseter and temporalis may become painful or sensitive. A trained physical therapist may use dry needling when appropriate to help address these muscular symptoms.

Research suggests dry needling may help reduce pain in some patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorders. A systematic review and meta-analysis found evidence of short-term improvements in pain, while also noting limitations in the quality and consistency of the available evidence. That is why, at Unique Care, we do not view dry needling as a stand-alone "cure" for TMJ.

• Depending on your evaluation, treatment at Unique Care may incorporate:
• Dry needling when clinically appropriate
• Hands-on manual therapy
• Jaw mobility and coordination exercises
• Cervical spine treatment
• Postural and movement training
• Strengthening and mobility exercises
• Education about behaviors that may aggravate symptoms

At Unique Care, we combine advanced hands-on physical therapy with exercise, movement retraining,
education, and techniques such as dry needling when appropriate.
If jaw pain or tightness is interfering with your everyday life, schedule an evaluation with Unique Care to learn
what may be contributing to your symptoms and what treatment options may be appropriate