Course Description:

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are incredibly common, with a prevalence of around 30 percent of adults in the United States. Many factors contribute to the development of TMD. TMD could be caused by a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) itself, stress, tension, habits, trauma, and chronic pain, to name just a few causes. Because TMD is so common, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants should be well-versed in the best evaluation methods and treatment strategies to help this population. This course will overview the structure and function of the TMJ, its prevalence, contributing factors to developing TMD, examination, diagnosis, treatment and timeframes, and expected outcomes.