How Do I Know if I have “TMJ”?
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Do I have TMJ?”
Let’s clear up a misunderstanding. TMJ is just the temporomandibular joint—the joint connecting your jaw to your skull. Everyone has two TMJs, just like you have two knees.
When people say “I have TMJ,” they usually mean TMJ disorder (TMD)—pain, tension, or dysfunction in the jaw joint or surrounding muscles. Common signs include jaw clicking, stiffness, or tension in the cheeks.
Could It Be TMD? Try This Quick Check
The TMD Pain Screener Questionnaire can predict with up to 92% accuracy whether someone has a TMJ disorder. Ask yourself, in the past 30 days:
Pain in your jaw or temple?
Stiffness upon waking?
Pain changes when chewing hard or tough foods?
Pain changes when opening or moving your jaw?
Pain changes with habits like clenching, grinding, or chewing gum?
Pain changes with talking, yawning, or kissing?
If you answered “yes” to 3 or more, there’s a 93% chance that you have TMD..
How Physical Therapy Can Help
The good news: TMD is often treated without surgery. At ReviveTMJ, we help patients through:
Gentle manual therapy to guide your body towards pain free movement
Physical Modalities to reduce tension and pain
Targeted exercises so you can maintain your progress
Pain management and habit education
Our goal is to get you back to eating, talking, and laughing without jaw pain, with tools you can use at home to maintain relief.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
Jaw pain doesn’t have to be permanent. If your symptoms match the questionnaire, reach out for guidance. With specialized physical therapy, you can start your journey to a pain-free, functional jaw today.
