Physical therapists say arthritis can drive jaw pain

Physical therapists are drawing attention to arthritis as a possible cause of TMJ pain, stiffness and clicking, especially when symptoms affect eating, speaking or sleep. Capitol Physical Therapy says early evaluation and conservative care can help patients manage symptoms before they worsen.

Why it matters: - Arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint, not just the knees, hips or hands. - Jaw arthritis can interfere with eating, speaking, yawning and sleep. - Early recognition may help patients get conservative treatment before symptoms become more persistent.

What happened: - Capitol Physical Therapy in Washington, D.C., is highlighting the connection between arthritis and TMJ disorders. - Dr. Subha Nagasubramanian, owner of Capitol Physical Therapy, said the TMJ is one of the most frequently used joints in the body and can be a leading factor in jaw pain. - The clinic says physical therapy can help patients with jaw pain, clicking, stiffness or difficulty opening the mouth.

The details: - The temporomandibular joints connect the lower jaw to the skull and rely on cartilage and other structures for comfortable movement. - Inflammatory and degenerative arthritis can damage those tissues and lead to pain, stiffness, limited jaw mobility and changes in joint movement. - Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the TMJ, along with other forms of arthritis. - The Arthritis Foundation says arthritis includes more than 100 conditions affecting joints and surrounding tissues. - Common TMJ symptoms linked to arthritis can include pain while chewing or speaking, morning jaw stiffness, clicking, popping or grinding, difficulty opening the mouth fully, jaw locking, headaches or facial pain, and neck and shoulder tension. - Symptoms may fluctuate during the day or worsen when jaw use increases. - A comprehensive physical therapy evaluation may assess jaw range of motion, posture, muscle tightness, cervical spine mobility, strength and functional movement patterns. - The evaluation can help determine whether symptoms stem from arthritis, muscle dysfunction, teeth grinding, posture, previous injury or a mix of factors. - An individualized assessment can also flag when a dentist, physician or other healthcare provider should be involved. - Treatment often includes gentle therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, posture correction, mobility training and education about movement habits that may reduce stress on the jaw joint. - Therapy may also focus on muscles in the face, neck and shoulders when tightness or weakness contributes to discomfort. - Patients may be taught to avoid excessive jaw loading during flare-ups, modify eating habits, improve workstation ergonomics, reduce jaw clenching and use relaxation techniques. - Dr. Nagasubramanian said professional guidance is a good idea when jaw pain, stiffness, clicking or locking lasts more than a few days, keeps returning or interferes with eating, speaking, yawning or sleep. - New jaw symptoms in people with arthritis may warrant further evaluation, especially when inflammation or arthritis is already present in other joints.

Between the lines: - The message is less about a single diagnosis than about avoiding missed causes of jaw pain. - TMJ symptoms can overlap with dental, muscular, inflammatory and structural problems, so a broader evaluation can prevent the wrong treatment path. - The clinic is positioning physical therapy as a conservative option that may reduce the need for more invasive care.

What's next: - Capitol Physical Therapy is directing patients who want more information about TMJ disorders and arthritis to the clinic. - People seeking more information can find the company's social media pages, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Yelp. - Capitol Physical Therapy can be reached at +1 202-794-6821.