TMJ pain

TMJ pain

The Temporomandibular Joint acts like a hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. TMJs play a vital role in daily activities like eating, talking, and even breathing. TMJ disorders include pain and restricted movement of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. This condition is referred to as Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).

Common symptoms of TMJ Pain

Physiotherapists will closely examine the movement of the jaw while opening and closing the mouth. The range of motions is observed and several areas of the jaw will be pressed to identify the sites of pain and discomfort.
When it comes to TMJ dysfunction, pain or tenderness of the jaw will not be experienced. In this case, the possible symptoms include:
• Excessive clicking or popping
• Grinding of the jaw and limited opening
• Inability to fully clench the jaw

People suffering from TMD often grind or clench their teeth a lot. There is also a high probability of suffering from headache, ear pain, dizziness, and upper neck pain. Some patients have reported pain or inability to eat and talk. Tinnitus or ear ringing is associated with TMJ dysfunction as well.

Common causes of TMJ pain

Medical experts consider TMJ dysfunction as a multifaceted musculoskeletal disorder. Common observations include:
• Masticatory muscle dysfunction
• Derangement/displacement of the TMJ articular disc
• Bruxism: grinding, gnashing, or clenching the teeth leading to asymmetrical movements
• Occlusal Problems: Asymmetrical or Retrognathic biting (underbite, overbite)

Treatment for TMJ Pain

Depending on your symptoms of TMJ pain, the methods we use to treat patients experiencing temporomandibular pain include:
• Posture correction
• Jaw movement exercises
• Manual therapy including massage, stretching, & joint mobilization
• Laser Therapy treatment
• Relaxation training

Our expert physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy will be able to help you with the necessary advice and exercises to help your TMJ pain. Give us a call to secure an appointment or book online now.

Vertigo

Dizzy spells are associated with vertigo and are a common condition noted in people. Vertigo can be termed as a subdivision of dizziness where a person experiences altered/inappropriate perception of motion. Even though it may seem like a threateningly out-of-control situation, it affects as much as 30% of the population and can be treated with physiotherapy.

Common symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo and conditions of dizziness are both synonymous with each other.
Vertigo commonly refers to a whirling and spinning sensation due to disturbed balance. It is a result of an imbalance in the vestibular system. Lightheaded feeling, dizziness, a feeling of fainting and unsteadiness are feelings synonymous with Vertigo.
When there is a disorder in the vestibular system i.e. disorders in the structures of the inner ear, the vestibular nerve, brainstem, and cerebellum, the condition of Vertigo is brought to life.

What is the Vestibular system?

The Vestibular system is responsible for integrating sensory stimuli and movement. It acts like a focus puller that keeps objects clearly in the frame of vision in tandem with the movement of the body.
When the head moves, signals are sent to the labyrinth, an apparatus in the inner ear made up of semicircular canals bogged by fluid. The labyrinth then transmits the information on the movement to the vestibular nerve, which carries the information to the brainstem and cerebellum. As these are the areas in the brain that control balance, posture, and motor coordination, the effect is huge.

Common causes of Vertigo

When it comes to dizziness, the common cause is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Other causes include inflammation in the inner ear, Meniere’s disease, neck joint dysfunction, vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraine, and acoustic neuroma.
Vertigo can be a symptom of even more serious neurological problems like a stroke or brain hemorrhage. It is unwise to leave the condition untreated.

Common conditions related to Vertigo & Dizziness

• BPPV – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
• Migraine
• Muscle Strain/Pain
• Neck Headache
• Spondylosis (Spine Arthritis)

Treatment for Vertigo

Not many people know that physiotherapy can help to treat vertigo. This method of treatment is called vestibular physiotherapy. The effects of vertigo can be caused by disorders in the inner ear, called your vestibular system, which physiotherapy has proven extremely effective in treating.

Methods of vestibular physiotherapy are designed to stimulate and challenge the symptoms of vertigo and help the body become resistant to dizziness. They are designed to help people build confidence walking and improve their balance. Some methods of vestibular physiotherapy involve:
• Eye-head coordination exercises
• Balance and gait exercises
• Repositioning techniques
• Habituation exercises

Mount Isa Physiotherapy has the best treatment, techniques and expert crew under its belt to help people suffering from vertigo and dizziness. Contact us to book an appointment or book one online.

Whiplash

Whiplash, simply said, is an injury to the neck. In whiplash, the intervertebral joints that are located between vertebrae, discs and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots have possibilities of being damaged.
A whiplash neck sprain occurs when the head is suddenly jolted backward and forward in a whip-like movement, especially in the case of rear-end collisions in motor vehicles. These movements, which generate a substantial amount of force on the neck, cause it to move far beyond its normal range and seriously damage the intricate and delicate structures of the neck.
Whiplash can also be termed as a sprain of the joints in the neck, which Physiotherapists refer to as vertebral dysfunction. It doesn’t require a motor vehicle collision for this condition to develop, as it can also be caused by forceful injuries that can impact the neck joints, ligaments, muscles, and discs. A sudden jolt on the neck because of trips and falls can also cause this condition.

Common symptoms of Whiplash

Symptoms might vary in each person, but the most frequent include:
• Pain in the neck region
• The head feels too heavy for the neck
• Reduced/tight neck movement
• Stiffness of the neck
• Pain on the shoulders and arms
• Tingling sensation in arms and fingers
• Dizziness, headache, blurred vision, and pain while swallowing
• Irritability and difficulty in concentrating

How can Whiplash be treated?

There are plenty of methods to treat and manage the condition of whiplash. Among them, physiotherapy has proven to be the most fruitful one. When it comes to physiotherapy, a thorough study on the patient’s medical history and orthopedic, neurological and spinal examinations are done to determine the cause and treatment. It can be different for people based on different criteria.
When it comes to physiotherapy, the aim will be to reduce pain and inflammation, stabilize the neck and prevent further damage. Ice treatment can also be one of the best remedies.
If it is about providing support to the head and neck, it becomes a matter of great importance to keep the neck mobile in a soft cervical collar. Regular neck exercises, and active movements, as suggested by a physiotherapist, have had a strong track record of fast recovery as opposed to resting it for long periods of time.
When the pain decreases and the stability of the neck improves, gentle massage of the spine by a physiotherapist will help to improve neck functions and reduce nerve pressure. Postural advice plays a key role in preventing the occurrence of such conditions in the future.
Sleeping postures play a major role as well. In this case, contoured pillows with a design that adapts to the head, neck, and shoulder contour for back and side sleepers can make a big difference.
With a strong record of healing and cure, Mount Isa Physiotherapy has experienced and expert physiotherapists, the best techniques for treatment, and an expert crew under its belt to help people suffering from whiplash. Contact us now to book an appointment.

Wrist and Hand pain

Wrist Pain

The wrists are a complex portion of the human body that are susceptible to injuries. Used in almost all activities of daily life like writing, typing, driving, eating, even using mobile phones and TV remotes, no one really pays attention to its wizardly and subtle movements. For this reason, a wrist injury can affect a person’s daily activities on a serious note.

What are the common causes of wrist pain?

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• De quervain tenosynovitis
• Hand or wrist arthritis
• Muscle strain (muscle pain)
• Neck injury
• Overuse injuries
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• RSI – Repetitive strain injury
• Thoracic outlet syndrome

Hand pain and injury

There are no species on earth that have the ability to use their hands as humans do. The hand is a brilliant combination of joints like the wrist, thumb, and fingers. There are also tendons, muscles, and nerves that help in a hand’s export operations.

What are the common causes of pain in the hand?

The human hands are complex and delicate structures that contain 27 bones. The muscles and joints in the hand allow for strong, precise, and dexterous movements, but they are vulnerable to injury. Some of the most common causes of injury and pain include:
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• De quervain tenosynovitis
• Finger sprain
• Hand or wrist arthritis
• Muscle strain (muscle pain)
• Neck injury
• Overuse injuries
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• RSI – Repetitive strain injury
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Thumb sprain

Treatment for Hand and Wrist Pain

Injuries concerning the hand and wrist joints are aplenty, and they have the ability to hamper a person’s daily life schedule on a serious note. Depending on the condition, a physiotherapist can administer the following to help the treatment of hand and wrist pain:
• Postural correction to reduce stress
• Dry needling
• Exercise therapy to increase strength
• Range of motion exercise to help with stiffness
• Administration of devices likes splints

Mount Isa Physiotherapy has an expert team of physiotherapists that are well versed in a range of techniques and treatments to help people suffering from hand and wrist pain. Contact us today to book an appointment.