--- title: "TMJ and Craniofacial Therapy | Dosher Physical Therapy" canonicalUrl: "https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/tmj-craniofacial-therapy/" excerpt: "Our expert approach combines gentle manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to release tight muscles, improve joint mobility, and restore natural balance to the jaw, head, and upper neck." metaDescription: "Relieve jaw pain, headaches, and facial tension with TMJ and craniofacial therapy at Dosher PT. Expert treatment for long-lasting relief. Schedule today!" datePublished: "2025-07-15T01:56:47+00:00" dateModified: "2026-08-13T16:33:42+00:00" --- TMJ and Craniofacial Therapy | Dosher Physical Therapy - ** Services & Treatments # TMJ and Craniofacial Therapy at Dosher PT Our expert approach combines gentle manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to release tight muscles, improve joint mobility, and restore natural balance to the jaw, head, and upper neck. Share On [](/) [Home](/) [Services & Treatments](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/) [General Health](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/) TMJ and Craniofacial Therapy at Dosher PT Constant jaw pain, clicking, and tension headaches can make talking, eating, yawning, and even sleeping incredibly uncomfortable. When the joints and muscles of your face and jaw are not working together in harmony, the resulting discomfort can radiate throughout your entire head and neck. At Dosher Physical Therapy, we understand how disruptive and painful these conditions can be. We are here to help relieve jaw pain, headaches, and facial tension with TMJ and craniofacial therapy at Dosher PT. We provide expert treatment for long-lasting relief so you can get back to living comfortably. ## Understanding TMJ and Craniofacial Pain The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders (sometimes called TMD) occur when there is dysfunction in these joints or the muscles that control them. Common symptoms we treat include: Chronic Jaw Pain:** Deep, aching pain in the face, jaw joint area, neck, and shoulders. - **Clicking and Popping:** Noticeable sounds or a grating sensation when you open your mouth or chew. - **Locking:** The jaw occasionally getting stuck in an open or closed position. - **Headaches:** Frequent tension headaches or migraines triggered by muscle spasms in the jaw and temples. - **Craniofacial Tension:** Widespread tightness and pain across the face, often exacerbated by stress, clenching, or teeth grinding (bruxism). ## Our Expert Treatment Approach Treating TMJ and craniofacial pain requires a highly specialized and delicate touch. Because the jaw is intimately connected to the cervical spine (the neck), we take a comprehensive, whole-body approach to your recovery rather than just looking at the jaw in isolation. Our expert approach combines gentle manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to release tight muscles, improve joint mobility, and restore natural balance to the jaw, head, and upper neck. Your personalized therapy plan may include: - **Gentle Manual Therapy:** Specialized, hands-on mobilizations (which may include intra-oral techniques, if you are comfortable) to relieve muscle spasms, reduce joint stiffness, and decompress the TMJ. - **Postural Correction:** Forward head posture puts immense strain on the jaw and neck. We will help you correct your resting posture to alleviate unnecessary tension on the craniofacial muscles. - **Therapeutic Exercises:** We will guide you through targeted exercises to stretch tight facial muscles and strengthen the stabilizing muscles of your jaw and neck, ultimately restoring proper function. - **Advanced Modalities:** To help manage acute pain and muscle tension, we may utilize treatments like dry needling, which is proving to be an effective and non-invasive treatment for TMJ for our patients. ## What to Expect During Your Evaluation **1. A Comprehensive Assessment:** Your physical therapist will take a detailed history of your symptoms, including your dental history, habits like teeth grinding, and any previous trauma to the face or neck. We will assess your jaw’s range of motion, listen for joint noises, and evaluate your cervical spine and posture. **2. A Customized Relief Plan:** Based on our findings, we will develop a customized treatment plan designed to address the root mechanical causes of your jaw pain and headaches, not just mask the symptoms. **3. Long-Term Management Strategies:** We will educate you on resting positions for the jaw, stress-reduction techniques, and dietary modifications (like avoiding hard or chewy foods during flare-ups) to help you manage your condition independently and prevent future pain. ## Reclaim Your Comfort and Smile You do not have to let jaw pain and headaches dictate your life. At Dosher Physical Therapy, our physical therapists treat patients like family. With our clinics conveniently serving Piedmont, Pickens, Clayton, Anderson, Easley, and Powdersville, specialized craniofacial care is always close to home. **[Schedule today](/contact/)** to request an evaluation and take the first step toward restoring your natural balance and comfort! ## TMJ and Craniofacial Therapy at Dosher PT is offered at our following locations [Easley, SC](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/locations/easley-sc/) [Clayton, GA](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/locations/clayton-ga/) [Anderson, SC](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/locations/anderson-sc/) [Pickens, SC](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/locations/pickens-sc/) [Powdersville, SC](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/locations/powdersville-sc/) ## Related General Health **Services** [### TMJ Management and Rehabilitation Comprehensive TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Management at Dosher Physical Therapy. Treat chronic jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and restore function. Learn More](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/services-tmj-management/) [### Stretching Programs & Flexibility Improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and relieve pain with personalized Stretching Programs supervised by therapists at Dosher Physical Therapy. Learn More](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/services-stretching-programs/) [### Postural Taping and Support Get immediate pain relief and postural correction with Postural Taping and Support (Kinesio and rigid tapes) at Dosher Physical Therapy in Greenville, SC. Learn More](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/services-postural-taping-and-support/) [### Pain Management Solutions Effective, non-pharmacological Pain Management for chronic and acute conditions at Dosher Physical Therapy. Reduce pain and restore function without drugs. Learn More](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/services-pain-management-chronic-and-acute/) [### General Strengthening Exercises & Training Improve overall fitness, muscle tone, and function with General Strengthening Exercises supervised by therapists at Dosher Physical Therapy. Safe for all ages. Learn More](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/services-general-strengthening-exercises/) [### Postural Correction and Fault Therapy Correct poor posture and eliminate chronic pain with specialized Postural Correction and Fault Therapy at Dosher Physical Therapy. Treat neck and back pain. Learn More](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/services-postural-correction-and-fault-therapy/) [### Chronic Pain By focusing on strengthening muscles and improving range of motion and endurance, our physical therapists help patients effectively alleviate and manage their chronic pain. Learn More](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/services/general-health/chronic-pain/) CONTACT OUR TEAM ## Ready to overcome your back pain? You don’t have to live with chronic back stiffness or radiating nerve pain. Dosher Physical Therapy serves the Upstate with five convenient clinic locations to help you restore your mobility. [Request an Appointment](https://www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com/contact/)