30/01/2026
Best TMJ exercises
1) Tongue-up controlled opening
Purpose: Improve jaw tracking and reduce clicks.
How: Sit tall. Place the tip of your tongue on the palate just behind the front teeth. Slowly open and close within a comfortable range. Keep the jaw moving straight without wobble.
Dosage: 10 slow reps, 2 sets, twice daily.
Common mistakes: Letting the tongue lift off the palate. Rushing the last third of the movement.
2) Partial opening with control
Purpose: Train smooth motion in a pain free range.
How: From the tongue-up position, open only halfway, pause, then close. Move in a straight line.
Dosage: 10 reps, 2 sets, once or twice daily.
Tip: Use a mirror to keep the chin centred.
3) Isometric jaw holds
Purpose: Calm overactive muscles and improve stability.
How: Place two fingers on the chin. Gently resist opening for 5 seconds. Repeat for closing, right shift and left shift. Effort should feel light.
Dosage: 5 holds each direction, once daily.
Avoid: Hard pushing or grinding the teeth.
4) Lateral deviation control
Purpose: Reduce jaw drift on opening.
How: With tongue on palate, open slightly and glide the lower jaw 3 to 4 mm toward the tighter side, then back to centre.
Dosage: 8 reps each side, once daily.
Cue: Keep shoulders relaxed and breathe through the nose.
5) Controlled protrusion and retraction
Purpose: Improve disc control and reduce clicking.
How: Start in light contact. Slide the lower jaw forward a few millimetres, pause, then return to neutral without clenching.
Dosage: 8 to 10 reps, once daily.
Note: Stay in a small, easy range.
6) Chin tucks against a wall
Purpose: Support the jaw by improving neck alignment.
How: Stand with back to a wall. Gently draw your chin straight back to make a double chin, hold 3 seconds, relax.
Dosage: 10 reps, twice daily.
Progress: Add a soft band pull-apart for shoulder blade control.
7) Masseter and temporalis self-release
Purpose: Ease muscle tension that drives clenching.
How: Use two fingers to apply light circular pressure to the cheek muscles in front of the ear, then the temples. Work 30 to 60 seconds each area.
Dosage: Once daily as needed.
Caution: Light pressure only. Do not press on the jaw joint itself.