Dry Needling vs Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD/TMJ)
Dry Needling for the Management of Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction
Dr. Jennifer Favinger
Physical Therapist
Can Dry Needling Help Alleviate Tempor-Mandibular Pain?
Dry Needling for TMJ Dysfunction
Do you struggle with pain or clicking in your upper jaw? Difficulty fully opening your mouth to eat or chew? Maybe you’ve tried different remedies, but you just can’t find anything that will stick? If so, then dry needling therapy may be your missing puzzle piece.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, commonly referred to as TMJ pain, is a frustrating condition that can cause facial pain, headaches, jaw clicking, and difficulty chewing. While there are various treatment options available, dry needling therapy performed by a qualified physical therapist is emerging as a promising approach for managing TMJ symptoms.
So What is Dry Needling and How Can it Improve TMJ Pain?
Dry needling involves inserting thin filiform needles into specific trigger points within muscles. These trigger points are tight bands of muscle fibers believed to contribute to pain and dysfunction. The needles stimulate the nervous system, leading to various therapeutic effects. Here’s how dry needling can potentially help with TMJ pain:
- Pain Reduction: Dry needling can release trigger points in the muscles and fascial tissues while also altering nerve pathways, reducing pain.
- Improved Blood Flow: Dry needling is thought to increase blood flow to the targeted area, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
- Muscle Relaxation: Dry needling can help relax tight muscles around the TMJ joint, improving jaw mobility and also reducing tension headaches.
- Increased Range of Motion: By addressing muscle tightness, dry needling can improve your ability to open and close your jaw comfortably as well as improving the lateral motions needed for chewing.
So What Does the Research Say? Can This Really Help?
While research on dry needling for TMJ dysfunction is ongoing, several studies have suggested its effectiveness in reducing symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at three research articles demonstrating the potential benefits of dry needling therapy in treating TMJ pain:
A literature review conducted in 2017 by the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies examined current research studies in order to determine the best clinical practice guidelines in the treatment of TMJ dysfunction moving forward. They determined that most of the research offered limited support for strengthening and manual tissue mobilization for the muscles of mastication – the muscles we use to chew and move our jaw. They did, however, find that many research studies supported the use of dry needling therapy noting significant improvements in pain and disability reduction. The greatest benefits were found when applying the needles to the superior and inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle. This is a muscle that can be very difficult to release with traditional manual techniques due to its position within the mouth.
More recently, a double-blind randomized clinical trial including 36 participants was published in 2022 in the Medicina Journal. They concluded that the use of dry needling to the masseter muscle – a powerful muscle responsible for forcefully closing the jaw during chewing – resulted in a significant reduction in pain as well as improved range of motion and jaw opening capabilities in the test group vs. the control group.
Another study published in 2019 in the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy reviewed existing research on dry needling for orofacial pain, including TMJ dysfunction. The authors analyzed data from 12 previous studies and found that dry needling was more significantly more effective than other interventions, like sham therapy (needles placed at shallow depth or in non-trigger point locations), for reducing pain in the short term. Additionally, dry needling increased pressure pain thresholds, indicating neurologic change reducing pain perception.
Important Considerations For Moving Forward
If you’re considering dry needling therapy for TMJ pain, it’s crucial to seek treatment from a qualified physical therapist with experience in this technique. Your therapist will assess your specific condition, determine if dry needling is appropriate, and develop a personalized treatment plan that may also include manual therapy, exercises, and self-care strategies.
Dry needling is a minimally invasive and potentially effective approach for managing TMJ pain. While further research is warranted, the studies mentioned above provide promising evidence for its benefits.
So, do you feel like dry needling could be a good fit for you? Looking to find more information about your TMJ dysfunction and what treatments could help? Reach out to us with any questions you may have. We’d love to talk with you!
References:
Butts, R. et al. (2017) Conservative management of temproomandibular dysufntion: A literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.05.021
Dib-Zakkour, J. et al. (2022) Evaluation of the effectiveness of dry needling in the treatment of myogenous temporomandibular joint disorders. Medicina. 58(2): 256.
Yuan et al. (2019). The effectiveness of dry needling for patients with orofacial pain associated with temporomandibular dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.08.008