Let Us Help You Treat TMJ, Headaches

A Q&A With Sarah Mathis

Sarah Mathis is The Village at Marymount’s Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation. Sarah is one of the few physical therapists in Northeast Ohio who is skilled in manual therapy and specializes in the treatment of headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders; cervical dysfunctions; and lumbo-sacral dysfunctions. You can contact her at (216) 332-1787 or via email: [email protected].

Q: What is TMJ and how does someone recognize the symptoms of this disorder?

Sarah: TMJ disorders occur because of problems with the jaw, jaw joint (or TMJ) and surrounding facial muscles. Those with TMJ may experience pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck, and shoulders. They may also have a limited ability to fully open their mouth, may hear a clicking or popping sound in the jaw joint and/or may have difficulty chewing.

Q: What causes TMJ?

Sarah: The cause is not clear, but dentists believe that symptoms arise from problems with the muscles of the jaw or with the parts of the joint itself. Some possible causes include:

• Grinding or clenching the teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the TMJ
• Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket
• Presence of osteoarthritis in the TMJ
• Stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth

Q: What type of TMJ treatment options do you provide on an outpatient basis at The Village at Marymount?

Sarah: We perform a comprehensive evaluation of your TMJ, neck, thoracic spine, and shoulder area to determine the structures causing TMJ symptoms. Based on our findings, we will implement a plan to treat your underlying bio-mechanical problems. Not all physical therapists are experienced in treating TMJ, so you need to search for the right practitioner. Start with your dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon — they can refer you to our outpatient therapy program at The Village at Marymount. When you have your appointment, don’t be surprised if your physical therapist puts on exam gloves and feels your jaw muscles and joints from inside your mouth — that is often part of a thorough TMJ evaluation.

Q: Are your therapy services covered by insurance?

Sarah: As with other forms of physical, our program is usually covered through the patient’s medical insurance, helping to ease the financial burden they may face should they opt for out-of-pocket treatment from a dental specialist.