TMJ/TMD in Pittsburgh
Find Lasting Relief from TMJ and TMD in Pittsburgh
Jaw pain, headaches, or difficulty chewing shouldn’t be part of your daily life. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) may be the cause. This condition affects millions of people, yet it often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as migraines or dental issues.
At Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy, we specialize in targeted TMJ/TMD treatment to provide lasting relief. Instead of offering short-term fixes, our approach addresses the root causes of your symptoms—helping you regain comfort, restore jaw function, and prevent future flare-ups.
How to Recognize TMJ/TMD Symptoms
TMJ/TMD can be misinterpreted as other conditions, such as migraines, toothaches, or ear infections. If you experience any of the following symptoms, physical therapy may help:
- Chronic jaw, face, neck, or headache pain that doesn’t go away.
- Clicking, popping, or grinding noises when opening or closing your mouth.
- Jaw locking or difficulty opening your mouth fully.
- Ear pain, dizziness, or ringing not related to infection.
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), especially at night.
Because TMJ/TMD symptoms often worsen over time, early intervention is key to preventing long-term joint damage and chronic discomfort.
Personalized TMJ/TMD Treatment in Pittsburgh
Every TMJ/TMD case is unique, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. At Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy, we create customized therapy plans tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle, and recovery goals.
1. Hands-On Therapy for Pain Relief
Our hands-on approach focuses on relieving jaw and neck discomfort through targeted techniques. Manual therapy helps release tight muscles, joint mobilization improves alignment and function, and gentle stretching restores range of motion while reducing tension. These therapies work together to alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and promote lasting relief.
2. Strengthening & Functional Training
Our therapy focuses on improving jaw stability and function through targeted exercises. Therapeutic exercises help stabilize and support jaw movement, postural retraining corrects muscle imbalances that contribute to jaw pain, and neuromuscular re-education prevents abnormal jaw mechanics. These techniques work together to promote proper movement, reduce discomfort, and support long-term relief.
3. Long-Term Prevention & Tension Reduction
We focus on sustainable strategies to prevent recurring jaw pain and tension. Relaxation techniques help reduce stress-related jaw clenching, while education on proper habits minimizes unnecessary strain. Custom home exercise plans support ongoing improvement, ensuring long-term relief and better jaw function.
By addressing the underlying causes of TMJ/TMD, our treatment helps you eliminate pain, restore function, and prevent future episodes.
After believing surgery was the only thing that would help my severe case of TMJ, my dentist referred me to see Dr. Wheeler! Dr. Wheeler & Dr. McKnight explained my diagnosis in further detail & provided me with the best physical therapy experience! I was in an unbearable amount of pain with daily things like eating & talking, but now I know that the muscles that support my jaw were too tight! Those muscles caused my pain & stretching them out made all the difference. I knew physical therapy helped me once I could eat a primanti sandwich… with absolutely everything on it (the fries, the coleslaw, you name it!) I wouldn’t dare try before, but now I can eat whatever I want with no pain! Thank you two for helping me live my life comfortably, I appreciate you more than I can explain! If you are suffering with TMJ, try Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy!! I promise you won’t regret it!
I was referred to Dr. Wheeler for TMJ pain and related symptoms, which I’ve experienced for years ever since I had a braces when I was kid/young teenager. Dr. Wheeler helped me uncover severe skeletal abnormalities in my jaws. I knew I had a canted smile beforehand, but it turned out that my upper jaw is not only canted but also severely shifted to the left and too far back, resulting in an underbite and a severe unilateral crossbite, for which I was compensating by shifting my mandible back and to the left. My problems were so severe that they were not only affecting my speaking and eating but my breathing and posture as well.
Thanks to Dr. Wheeler, I can finally get my problems fixed!
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ/TMD Treatment
What is the difference between TMJ and TMD?
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint itself, while TMD (temporomandibular disorder) describes dysfunction in the joint, surrounding muscles, or nerves.
Can TMJ/TMD go away on its own?
Some mild cases improve over time, but many require treatment to prevent chronic pain, joint deterioration, or worsening symptoms.
Is TMJ/TMD a serious condition?
Yes. If left untreated, TMD can lead to chronic pain, restricted jaw movement, poor sleep, and long-term joint dysfunction.
What happens during my first therapy session?
Your initial evaluation includes a comprehensive assessment of your jaw movement, muscle tension, posture, and medical history. Based on our findings, we develop a personalized treatment plan, and many patients experience relief after their first session.
Take the First Step Toward TMJ/TMD Relief
Don’t let jaw pain, headaches, or difficulty chewing impact your daily life. At Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy, we provide expert, hands-on care to help you regain comfort, restore function, and achieve long-term relief.
Call (412) 924-8424 today to schedule your first session, or visit Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh to begin your recovery. Get back to pain-free living with expert TMJ/TMD treatment at Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy.