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How Physical Therapy for TMJ Can Help

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your jaw, you could be having problems with your temporomandibular joint, also referred to as TMJ. A number of things can cause TMJ disorders (TMD) and it can be distracting enough to affect your daily activities, even with something as simple as eating. The professionals at Impact Medical Sarasota are here to teach you the signs of TMD and how physical therapy can help resolve issues with your TMJ.

What is TMD?

Usually, TMD is brought about by stress or displacement of the disc in your joint. This can include poor posture, excessive or intense clenching of the teeth (also known as bruxism), or chewing things that are too hard for the jaw to handle. These actions could also lead to inflammation.

Problems You Might Experience

TMJ disorders can take the form of many issues. One common problem is limited mobility and range in the jaw, meaning that you could have difficulties opening and closing your mouth as well as performing basic tasks such as chewing, talking, and yawning. TMD could also lead to:

• Excessive clenching of the jaw
• Misaligned teeth
• Clicking sounds in the sides of the mouth
• Lockjaw
• Involuntary muscle spasms

You’re likely to experience pain from TMJ disorders when attempting to eat hard foods or opening your mouth wide. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, try to limit these actions and seek out a physical therapist as soon as you can.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy for TMJ can do a great number of things like help you regain your regular jaw movements, lessen the daily stress that it endures, and ease the overall pain in that area.

Steps in PT Recovery

During your first physical therapy session, your practitioner will ask you some questions to get a general idea of what’s going on with your body. Questions can include the intensity of your jaw pain, when you started experiencing pain, general eating habits, what jaw motions you’re capable of doing, and if you’ve already been treated for TMD.

After the small interview, your therapist will physically check the status of your jaw by testing your range of motion, examining your posture, identifying any palpitations around the jaw, and gauging your muscle strength.

Once your physical therapist gathers enough information, they’ll come up with a personalized goal and a plan to achieve the best results. A good practitioner will give you a detailed explanation of your jaw so you can understand the reason behind your particular plan and properly perform the exercises needed for a full recovery.

PT Practices

So, what kinds of exercises and practices would you be doing in your physical therapy sessions? Each person is different in terms of the severity of the condition, the body’s natural healing rate, and the amount of effort put into the journey. The amount of time it takes to recover is also affected by these factors. However, a few things you can expect include:

• Manuals to relax the muscles and ease any pain
• Mobilizations designed to restore range of motion
• Posture correction to lessen stress on the jaw
• At-home exercises to work your jaw

The Best Physical Therapist in Sarasota

If you’re having any issues with your jaw, let trained and seasoned professionals treat your TMJ back to normal. Impact Medical Sarasota is staffed with the best in the business to give you an optimal healing experience. Schedule your appointment today by calling (941) 222-1157.

Involved in a Bicycle Accident? Follow These Steps

Although not as intense as a car crash, bicycle accidents can still have a significant impact on the body and lead to similar symptoms. Whether you’re experiencing pain or limited range of motion in the neck, back, or limbs, chiropractic care can provide relief. Just follow these steps put together by the experts at Impact Medical Brandon:

Evaluate Yourself for Immediate Injuries

The first thing you should do after any accident is look for any immediate threats to your health. If you’re bleeding profusely or have any bones sticking out of your body, get emergency help right away. For bicycle accidents, the more common but less fatal injuries may come in the form of neck or back pain.

Take Any Information if Necessary

If another person is involved, such as the driver if you were hit by a vehicle, then you should write down any contact information for insurance purposes. If your injuries become severe enough to cause lasting damages, you want to make sure you have what you need to be covered financially.

Visit a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist

A number of areas around the body can experience varying levels of pain or other disabilities. A misaligned spine can cause aches in the upper or lower back along with limited range of motion in the neck since it’s all connected. Direct impacts to the limbs can lead to joint pain and numbness in the hands or feet. Depending on your discomfort, a good chiropractor or physical therapist will be able to create a personalized treatment plan to get you back in top shape.

Through regular chiropractic care and physical therapy, you’ll:

• Relieve aches and soreness through targeted manuals
• Recover any lost mobility through effective stretches
• Regain muscle strength from light exercises
• Fix your posture with guidance from your practitioner

The trick (and requirement) with treatment through physical therapy and chiropractic care is to maintain regular sessions and don’t let up on your routine. Until you fully recover, any breaks or inconsistencies in your recovery plan can halt or reverse the effects of the treatment.

Be Proactive Next Time You Ride

After you’ve fully recovered, you may be eager to get back to cycling. It’s best to take things slow at first and gradually work yourself back up to where you were before the accident, and you should also take additional preventative measures. Wearing a helmet is usually the first thing that comes to mind since your head is clearly important yet very susceptible to fatal injuries. Padding on your elbows and knees will protect your joints which are essential in performing your daily tasks. Adding lights to your bicycle and wearing reflective clothing will increase your chances of being noticed so there will be less chance of you getting hit. By taking the time to set up these extra safety measures, you’ll be saving yourself any unpleasant pain and discomfort in the future.

Get Treated at Impact Medical Brandon

Do you love cycling? If you ever find yourself in a bind and need treatment, Impact Medical Brandon has got you covered! Our specialists will give you a detailed evaluation of your body and any injuries so we can design a treatment plan personalized to your needs. Give us a call today at (813) 522-8885 to schedule an appointment.

5 Reasons We’re the Best Place for PT in Tampa Bay

Looking for relief from chronic pain? Ready to restore your mobility? Finding the right physical therapist makes all the difference. At Impact Medical Lutz, we’ve helped countless patients recover smarter with tailored therapy that exceeds your needs. Here are five reasons why Impact Medical Lutz is the best place for physical therapy in Tampa Bay.

1. Experienced, Educated Professionals

In years past, physical therapists received either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The physical therapists on our staff have gone a big step beyond this, receiving their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), a degree that requires much more time and experience. Our physical therapists receive significant post-degree education, staying up to date with the latest innovations in the industry to provide you with the best possible care.

2. Specialty Care

No matter your physical therapy needs, our staff has the experience to help you meet them. Our physical therapists hold APTA Board Certification in specializations related to a wide range of problems. Whether you’re recovering from a car accident or sports injury, whether you’re looking for relief from back, neck, shoulder, hand, or any other type of pain, our physical therapists have the expertise and insight to treat your problems effectively.

3. Customized Physical Therapy Programs

At Impact Medical Lutz, we never take a one-size-fits-all approach to our services. After your first visit, we’ll develop a customized physical therapy program that’s designed to address your pain points. We take our time to explain treatment services in detail, so you can feel confident that you’re on the right track to better health.

4. A Compassionate Approach

Physical therapy is an intimate experience, and we want to make sure you’re completely comfortable with the physical therapist you’re working with. Our personable, compassionate team cares about your health and well-being. We are committed to making a positive impact in our patients’ lives, and we promise you’ll look forward to every appointment!

5. Consistent Encouragement

At Impact Medical Lutz, we believe that our patients are active participants in the rehabilitation process. We want to make sure you’re on the road to recovery by providing you with exercises to do on your own at home. We’ll offer handouts, videos, and links to online resources with treatments and exercises that directly improve your health outcomes. If you need encouragement or assistance, we’re always just a phone call away!

Impact Medical Lutz Is the Best Place for Physical Therapy in Tampa Bay

No matter what type of pain or injury you’re recovering from, you need the best physical therapist on your side to get you back to 100%. At Impact Medical Lutz, our physical therapists provide the highest quality of compassionate care for every patient, developing customized treatment plans that enable and inspire you to be the best you can be! Learn more about our services or schedule an appointment today by calling us at 813-536-0373.

Why You Need Physical Therapy After a Joint Replacement

It may not always be an easy commitment but physical therapy after a major surgery like a joint replacement can accelerate your recovery time. This healing practice allows patients to focus on getting back to an active lifestyle swiftly. Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg shares why physical therapy is a must after a joint replacement.

It’s critical to begin rehabilitation soon after surgery. Most doctors will encourage patients to begin standing and working with a physical therapist within the first 24 hours post-op. The quicker that a patient gets comfortable with their new joints, the better their adjustment will be. After a few days in the hospital, both activity level and exercise time should increase. Upon discharge, patients should demonstrate abilities to bend, walk for certain lengths and understand the importance of continued physical therapy. The next few weeks will be a mix of exercises, walking and a gradual return to everyday activities. During this time, a physical therapist will continue to monitor your exercise and modify it when needed as your condition improves.

Some exercises might include leg balances, step-ups, toe and heel raises, or even cycling on a stationary bike. At Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg, our team of experienced physical therapists provides a personalized physical therapy program that will help you recover correctly. With a focus on regaining muscle control and increasing range of motion, our team will also incorporate additional treatments like manual and heat therapy to maximize results.

With our modern treatment methods and outstanding team of physical therapists, we’re confident that your recovery after a joint replacement will be a positive one. Call (727) 722-8103 or send a message to speak with the team at Impact Medical Group in St. Petersburg.