Jaw fractures are a type of facial trauma that can occur as a result of various causes, such as car accidents, falls, and sports injuries. While most jaw fractures heal without any complications, some may require surgery or other intervention. If you or a loved one have suffered a jaw fracture, it’s important to seek out experienced medical help right away. In the meantime, this physical therapy guide to jaw fracture will give you an overview of what to expect during treatment and recovery.
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What is a Jaw Fracture?
A jaw fracture is a break in the bone that supports the teeth. The jaw is made up of two bones, the upper jawbone, and the lower jawbone. Each of these bones is made up of several smaller bones, which are held together by muscles and ligaments. A jaw fracture can occur at any point along the jawbone, but most commonly occurs near the joint where the two bones meet.
Jaw fractures are generally caused by trauma to the face, such as a fall or a blow to the head. In some cases, however, they can be caused by medical conditions such as cancer or osteoporosis. Jaw fractures can range from mild to severe, depending on the location and extent of the break.
Most jaw fractures can be treated with conservative measures such as rest, ice, and pain medication. More severe fractures may require surgery to realign the bones and stabilize them with wires or plates. Following surgery, patients will usually need to wear a mouth guard or splint to protect the healing bones. Physical therapy may also be recommended to help restore function and range of motion to the jaw.
How Can Physical Therapy For Jaw Fracture Help?
If you have suffered a jaw fracture, you may be wondering how physical therapy can help. Physical therapy can play an important role in the healing process by helping to reduce pain and swelling, improve the range of motion, and prevent stiffness.
Your physical therapist will work with you to create a custom treatment plan that may include exercises to improve range of motion and strength, manual therapies to reduce pain and swelling, and modalities such as ice or heat to help control pain. Your physical therapist will also provide education on proper jaw care and activity modification to promote healing.
If you are seeking relief from pain and discomfort associated with a jaw fracture, contact your local physical therapy clinic today to learn more about how we can help.
Types of Physical Therapy For Jaw Fractures
There are a few different types of physical therapy that can be used to help treat a jaw fracture. The type of therapy that is used will depend on the severity of the fracture and the location of the fracture.
Ice Therapy
One of the most common therapies used to treat jaw fractures is ice therapy. This type of therapy uses ice packs to reduce swelling and pain in the area around the fracture. Ice therapy can be done several times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time. During ice therapy, it is important to keep the ice pack in the area for the entire time to ensure that the ice has time to work.
Also, it is important to not put the ice pack directly on the skin as this can cause skin damage. When using ice therapy, it is important to wrap the ice pack in a thin towel or cloth.
Massage Therapy
Sometimes, neck pain can be caused by muscle tension and knots in the muscles. Massage therapy can help to relieve such pain. Some types of massages to try to include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, or hot stone therapy.
For neck pain that is accompanied by headaches, you may find relief from using a neck pillow during the massage. A neck pillow will help to support your head and neck while relaxing the muscles in your shoulders and upper back.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that uses thin needles to stimulate pressure points in your body. It is effective for pain relief. There are acupuncture points along the meridians of your body associated with relieving neck pain. Your acupuncturist will insert needles into those specific points to help relieve the pain in your neck naturally.
Using acupuncture also helps to improve your circulation. Good circulation helps to bring healing nutrients and oxygen to the problem area and removes toxins and waste from that area.
Acupuncture alone can be used for neck pain relief or it can be combined with other treatments, such as chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, or traditional medical treatment.
Acupressure
Acupressure is a similar technique to acupuncture that uses pressure instead of needles. Also, Acupressure can also help to relieve neck pain naturally. The main difference between acupuncture and acupressure is that you apply pressure using your hands instead of needles. You would then hold this pressure for several minutes until you feel the muscle relax.
There are some points along the meridians of your body that are associated with relieving neck pain when applied with pressure. Your acupuncturist will show you how to apply this pressure and how long to hold it before moving on to the next point along the meridian line of the painful area.
Traction Therapy
Traction therapy is a simple technique used by physical therapists and chiropractors that helps relieve neck pain. You lie on your back or stomach, depending on the type of traction device being used. This is while your head is held in place with straps attached to a machine. The machine gently pulls your head away from your body at a steady rate. The pulling action decompresses the joints in your vertebrae and stretches the muscles surrounding them. Also. both of which help to relieve pressure on your nerves that may be causing neck pain.
Why Do People Choose Physical Therapy For Jaw Fractures?
There are many reasons why people choose physical therapy for jaw fractures. Some people want to avoid surgery, while others want to speed up their healing process. Physical therapy can help to improve the range of motion, reduce pain, and improve overall function.
Some of these reasons why people choose physical therapy for jaw fractures are:
To avoid surgery: Surgery can be expensive, risky, and painful. Physical therapy can help people to avoid these risks and still heal their jaw fractures.
To speed up healing: Physical therapy can help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. This can help the bone to heal faster.
To improve function: Physical therapy can help to improve the range of motion and reduce pain. This can help people to eat, talk, and breathe better.
To Make a Physical Therapy Appointment: If you think that physical therapy could help you heal your jaw fracture, you should talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a physical therapist.
Conclusion
A jaw fracture can be a very serious injury, but with the right treatment and care, it is possible to recover fully. Physical therapy plays an important role in the recovery process, and this guide has outlined some of the key things that you need to know. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to speak to us for a physical therapist so that they can help you get back on track.
Physical Therapy help patients recover from pain. If you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.
