The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, connects your jaw to your skull in front of your ear. The TMJ hinges, allowing you to move your mouth when you talk, yawn, or chew. TMJ disorder is pain in and around your jaw. It may also include popping/clicking, ringing in the ears, headaches, limited mouth opening or a tendency for the jaw to “lock”. Physical therapy can be used to treat those symptoms by restoring proper jaw movement, and lessening daily stress on the jaw.
Physical Therapists Can Help with TMJ Dysfunction Caused By:
- Bad posture habits
- Chronic jaw clenching & poor
- sleep hygiene
- Problems with teeth alignment
- Fracture
- Surgery
- Trismus (lockjaw)
- Displacement of the disc
- Arthritis
How a Physical Therapist Can Help TMJ dysfunction ultimately results in functional limitations due to pain orimpaired movement, regardless of its original cause. Physical Therapists specialize in the restoration of movement patterns, including those of the facial region.
They may use the following techniques to reduce symptoms:
- Reduce acute pain and inflammation
- using treatments like electrical
- stimulation or ultrasound
- Decrease compressive forces in the
- joint with manual therapy techniques
- Improve motor patterns associated with talking and chewing via specific exercises
- Promote awareness of postural and lifestyle factors
Hershey Services
1135 E Chocolate Ave #100
Hershey, PA 17033
Phone: (223) 308-9450
Fax: (223) 308-9451
Email: Hershey@phx-pt.com
New Patient Info
Welcome to the Phoenix family! You’re one step closer to feeling like you again. You can expect superior care at each step of your rehabilitation journey, starting with scheduling your first appointment. After scheduling your first appointment, we encourage you to download and fill out your patient forms and insurance information.
Meet The Team
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Scott McGeary, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Clinic Director / Physical Therapist
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Caroline Fackler, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
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K
Keshia Ford
Patient Care Coordinator
A large part of what sets Phoenix apart is our team. We are proud to employ highly trained professionals who are not only skilled at what they do, but are passionate about providing you with individualized care. Our Phoenix team members are what makes achieving quality clinical outcomes possible through expertise and a personal approach.
Welcome to Hershey
Phoenix Physical Therapy - Hershey is ready to help patients recover, recharge and rise. We develop a customized therapy plan for each patient to get them back to enjoying their favorite activities. Our experienced team is committed to providing exceptional care in a professional environment. Whether you’re looking to prevent or treat an injury, recover from a recent illness or recuperate from surgery, schedule an appointment with our Hershey clinic and take advantage of our Physical Therapy, Pelvic Floor Therapy, or Workers’ Compensation services...
Highly recommend. The staff is great! I’ve been doing hardscape for over 15 years now, so my lower back has been beat up a bit. I was in severe pain and couldn’t work. After the first visit, I felt a lot better. After two visits, I was able to start a project I had scheduled without much pain. Three weeks in, and it’s such a difference. Again highly recommend.