WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY PT DURING MY TMJ EVALUATION?

Common signs and symptoms may include:

• Popping or clicking when chewing or opening and/or closing the mouth
• Pain around the jaw joint
• Facial pain
• Headache
• Limited jaw motion
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Earaches, dizziness, vertigo, ear fullness and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

During the history portion of your evaluation, it will be important to note any of the following: 

• Habits or history of clenching, chewing pencils, chewing gum, chewing fingernails, grinding teeth
• History of heart and vascular conditions (i.e., high blood pressure, angina, abnormal heart rate, heart attack, etc.)
• History of neurological conditions (i.e., migraines, stroke, seizures, etc.)
• Any dental history (i.e., toothaches, pain with eating, gum health, over/under bite, recent or past dental procedures)
• Numbness, tingling, burning
• Any traumatic blows to the jaw and/or neck
• Psychological history (i.e., depression, anxiety)
• Chronic nasal congestion, sinusitis, post-nasal drip
• Unexplained fatigue
• Difficulties with sleep
• Troubles with swallowing
• Recent changes with speech
• Weight gain or loss

Your PT may also want to review your current list of medications. Be sure to bring a list of medications to your first appointment.

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