face physiotherapy - #15709
I am really struggling with some weird jaw pain and tightness in my face. It started few months ago after I had a pretty bad sinus infection — my doctor kept saying it was all related but no real answers. I notice that sometimes when I chew food, there's this clicking sound, and I’m worried there might be something more serious going on. Anyway, after complaining enough, my GP suggested I try face physiotherapy. At first, I thought that was kinda odd, like, can physios really work on the face? I didn't really get how face physiotherapy could help with my symptoms? Like, how does that even work? I mean, my jaw and face muscles feel tense all the time, and I've been really tired. I also read online that face physiotherapy can reduce pain or help with TMJ issues — any of you ever been to face physiotherapy for something similar? Did it actually help? What should I expect in these sessions? I just want to know if this is worth trying or if I should keep looking for other options. Please share your experiences!
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Doctors’ responses
Face physiotherapy can indeed be useful for addressing jaw pain and tightness, especially if there’s a suspicion of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or muscle-related issues following something like a sinus infection. This type of physiotherapy focuses on improving the function and coordination of the muscles surrounding your jaw and face. You’ll likely encounter techniques that aim to relax those tense muscles, potentially decreasing the clicking sound you notice when eating. Sessions might include exercises designed to improve jaw opening and strengthening of facial muscles to restore balance and reduce strain. They could also teach you relaxation techniques to manage stress, which can play a significant role in facial tension. Manual therapy may be applied, utilizing gentle manipulation to enhance joint mobility and reduce discomfort. It’s possible your therapist will incorporate modalities like heat or cold therapy to soothe pain and inflammation. Ultimately, the approach will be customized to your specific symptoms. Expect to work closely with them over several sessions to gauge improvement and make adjustments. If your jaw pain is indeed linked to TMJ dysfunction, this treatment is usually worth a fair try. Meanwhile, if face physiotherapy doesn’t seem to help, revisiting your GP might be wise for further evaluations or considering other interventions like referral to a specialist.
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