EDUCATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY POSTS BY DR. SABRINA J GRAY

If the jaw pain, face pain, sinus pain, tinnitus, or headaches from the previous post sound like you, keep reading! 

We established that the Lateral Pterygoid muscle can be the cause of all of these symptoms, but if your Physical Therapy Examination confirms this, what then?

Some practitioners attempt to access the Lateral Pterygoid to treat the dysfunction in this muscle by reaching up and behind the back molar to mobilize the origin of the muscle. This method can work if your provider has small enough hands, as the ability to reach this area with a finger can be difficult. Dry Needling is a better option as we can place a needle directly into the area circled in the photo and treat through the belly of the Lateral Pterygoid muscle. This in combination with targeted exercises based on your specific cause of dysfunction in this muscle can have you chewing and talking pain free. So if you have jaw, face, or ear pain give me a call. 

Concierge Care by Dr. Sabrina J Gray of Hands On Care Physical Therapy Serving Branford, Guilford, & Madison CT

ALL of these SYMPTOMS can be caused by the lateral Pterygoid muscle which is a common culprit in jaw and face pain.

The jaw joint (Temporomandibular joint) has a disc that cushions the joint and enables proper movement between the jaw and its meeting point with the skull. The Lateral Pterygoid attaches to the front of the disc and when over active, can pull the disc out of place as the mouth opens if it is too active while other muscles aren’t active enough. Without the disc in its proper place the joint is unprotected and can become very painful.

In some cases, tightness of the Lateral Pterygoid can also be the source of Trigeminal Nerve Neuralgia (severe face pain) as this nerve creates sensation to the face and passes through the lower inner Belly of the Lateral Pterygoid.

Active Release Technique and Dry Needling are effective treatments for issues caused by this muscle along with customized therapeutic exercise that addresses why this muscle is overactive in you.

Concierge Care by Dr. Sabrina J Gray of Hands On Care Physical Therapy Serving Branford, Guilford, & Madison CT

Nasal breathing releases nitric oxide from the para-nasal sinuses.
Nitric oxide dilates the blood vessels throughout the body which is important for:
* Heart health
* Regulation of blood pressure
* Helps to fight off infections
* Prevents the formation of blood clots
* Improves diaphragmatic activity

Mouth breathers:
• Aren’t filtering their air as it enters the body which allows bacteria to thrive
• Are pulling more contaminated air over their lymphatic tissue
• Increasing nasal congestion because they aren’t releaseing nitric oxide from the para nasal sinuses
• Reducing diaphragmatic activity

Mouth breathing is allso closely associated with forward head posture as msucls of the neck are engaged to asist in breathing. Over time this missuse of neck muscles that are only meant to help with breathing during heavy exercise can lead to neck pain. Mouth breathing can also lead to jaw pain and headaches due to the excess stress placed on the jaw in this forward head posture.

Concierge Care by Dr. Sabrina J Gray of Hands On Care Physical Therapy Serving Branford, Guilford, & Madison CT