TMJ / TMD Therapy
in Barrington, IL
Specialized, evidence-based treatment for the temporomandibular joint addressing jaw pain, clicking, clenching habits, headaches, and restricted movement with individualized, one-on-one care.
What TMJ / TMD Therapy Treats
At Achieve Physical Therapy in Barrington, IL, Dr. Julie Roy, DPT provides specialized, evidence-based TMJ treatment for patients throughout the Barrington area and northwest suburbs.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. TMJD, temporomandibular joint disorder, can involve joint compression, muscle tension, clenching, and movement coordination issues. Dr. Roy has dedicated specialized training to the diagnosis and treatment of the jaw joint.
Whether you are dealing with an acute injury, joint degeneration, or long-standing clenching tendencies, treatment is individualized to address the root cause of your symptoms, not just the pain itself.
Pricing & Insurance
Achieve is a private-pay practice, so you know exactly what your care costs before you book.
Common Causes of TMJ / TMD
Jaw pain rarely has a single cause. In most cases, several factors stack together over time, and identifying which ones apply to you is what shapes an effective treatment plan, not just treating the pain where you feel it.
- Clenching and grinding (bruxism)Daytime clenching and nighttime grinding overload the jaw muscles and joint. Often it is unconscious and stress-related, which is why building daytime awareness habits is part of treatment rather than an afterthought.
- Stress and muscle tensionStress is one of the most common drivers of jaw clenching and sustained muscle tension around the temporomandibular joint. Addressing the contributing habit matters as much as the joint itself.
- Posture and neck mechanicsForward head posture and cervical spine tension change how the jaw rests and moves. Because the jaw muscles and neck are closely connected, posture is assessed as part of a complete evaluation.
- Disc displacement and joint mechanicsThe temporomandibular joint has a small disc that can shift, which may cause clicking, catching, or a sensation of locking. We assess joint mechanics to determine how much movement can realistically be restored.
- Joint degeneration or arthritisAge-related changes or arthritis in the joint can contribute to stiffness, pain, and limited opening. Treatment focuses on improving function and comfort around the joint as it is.
- Injury or traumaA direct blow to the jaw, a dental procedure, or prolonged wide opening can trigger symptoms. Care is individualized to whether you are dealing with an acute injury or a longer-standing pattern.
Common Symptoms
- Jaw pain or fatigueA dull ache, soreness, or muscle fatigue in the jaw, especially after eating, talking, or clenching. TMJ physical therapy reduces jaw muscle tension and improves joint mechanics to relieve pain.
- Clicking, popping, or locking of the jawClicking or popping when opening your mouth, or a sensation that the jaw catches or locks. TMD treatment addresses joint mechanics and muscle coordination to restore smooth jaw movement.
- Headaches and temple painFrequent headaches, especially around the temples or sides of the head, can be driven by jaw clenching, grinding, or TMJ dysfunction. TMJ therapy targets the muscles and habits contributing to your headache pattern.
- Neck or jaw pain associated with clenchingJaw clenching and grinding often create tension in the neck and upper shoulders. TMJ therapy addresses both jaw and cervical spine mechanics, since they are closely connected.
- Difficulty chewing or opening fullyTrouble opening wide enough to eat comfortably or yawn without pain. TMD physical therapy restores jaw range of motion and reduces discomfort with functional activities.
Not ready to book? Start with the free Jaw Pain Starter Guide.
A 4-page self-care guide from Julie Roy, DPT. It covers your resting jaw position, three gentle exercises, self-massage, and a 7-day starting plan.
What to Expect During Treatment
Goals & Outcomes
Every session is guided by functional goals, not just short-term symptom relief.
- Reduce jaw and facial pain
- Improve comfortable opening and chewing
- Decrease clicking or catching when possible
- Reduce headache frequency or intensity
- Build habits that prevent flare-ups
- Restore confidence in daily activities
Our Approach
TMJ care is specific and individualized. Each session follows a consistent process:
- Assess jaw mechanics and contributing factorsWe evaluate jaw opening, tracking, and joint behavior, and ask detailed questions about stress, sleep, and daily habits that can drive symptoms.
- Education on symptom driversClenching, grinding, gum chewing, and forward head posture all contribute to TMJ dysfunction. Understanding your personal triggers is a core part of treatment.
- Gentle manual therapyTargeted hands-on work to the jaw and related neck muscles to reduce tension, restore joint mechanics, and improve movement quality.
- Home program and habit strategiesYou leave with jaw exercises, awareness strategies for daytime clenching, and specific guidance on soft food modifications or activity changes during flare-ups.
What Patients Say
I left a care facility barely able to stand, definitely not able to walk. With her teaching and kind but firm methods, I was very motivated to work hard.
Julie is an outstanding Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has helped me work through issues with my back and shoulders with dry needling, cupping, massage…
Julie has helped me eliminate pain from various elbow and shoulder injuries. She has allowed me to live my life pain free.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJ/TMD physical therapy treats pain, stiffness, clicking, and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (jaw joint) by targeting the cause of your symptoms as well as associated issues. Treatment includes manual therapy, targeted jaw exercises, education on habit drivers, and posture strategies, all tailored to your specific presentation.
Achieve is a private-pay practice. HSA and FSA are accepted, and we provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. The initial evaluation is $199 for 60 minutes, and the 20-minute injury consultation is free.
Common causes include jaw clenching, teeth grinding (bruxism), stress, poor posture, joint degeneration, and trauma to the jaw. Physical therapy identifies the contributing factors specific to you and builds a plan to address them, not just the pain itself.
Often, yes. Clicking can have multiple causes including disc displacement and muscle coordination issues. We assess jaw mechanics and determine whether therapy is likely to help reduce or eliminate the clicking, and we always discuss realistic expectations based on what we find.
Yes. Many headaches are related to jaw clenching, grinding, or muscle tension around the temporomandibular joint. TMJ therapy targets those contributing muscles and habits and can meaningfully reduce headache frequency and intensity when the jaw is a primary driver.
It can be. The jaw muscles and cervical spine are closely connected, especially when clenching habits are involved. We assess both areas when relevant and address the neck and upper shoulders as part of a complete TMJ treatment plan.
Some people benefit from a dental guard, especially with grinding. A dentist is the right provider to diagnose and fit a guard. Physical therapy and a night guard are often complementary, not either/or. We can share our clinical observations and recommend a referral if helpful.
Yes. Stress is one of the most common triggers for jaw clenching, grinding, and muscle tension. Part of treatment is identifying and managing your personal stress-related triggers, including building daytime awareness habits that reduce unconscious clenching.
We typically recommend simple jaw exercises, awareness strategies to reduce daytime clenching, soft food modifications during flare-ups, and habit changes like avoiding gum chewing. You will leave every session with a specific home plan, not just general advice.
Timelines vary depending on severity and contributing factors, but many patients notice meaningful improvement within a few weeks of consistent treatment. We set clear milestones after your evaluation so you always know what to expect and how to measure progress.
In Illinois, you can see a physical therapist for your initial evaluation without a referral through direct access. We do recommend connecting with your dentist and primary care physician during your treatment to collaborate on your overall care plan.
Not sure PT is right for your jaw?
Start with a free 20-minute conversation with Dr. Julie Roy. No forms, no commitment, no referral needed.
Book My Free 20-Min Consult