TMJ / TMD Physical Therapy · NW Austin
TMJ physical therapy in Austin,
one-on-one.
Conservative, hands-on treatment for jaw pain, clicking, locking, headaches, and the neck tension that often comes with them — from a board-certified orthopedic specialist with over 20 years of TMD experience.
Who It Helps
Jaw pain is rarely just the jaw.
Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) — often simply called "TMJ" — involves the jaw joint, the chewing muscles, and very often the neck and posture around them. That's why it can show up as headaches, ear pain, or neck tension as much as jaw pain itself.
Priscilla has treated TMD throughout her career, working with patients whose symptoms range from a new click to long-standing jaw and headache pain.
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking or popping
- Jaw locking or catching
- Limited or painful opening
- Clenching & muscle tension
- Headaches & temple pain
- Ear pain or fullness
- Neck pain & stiffness
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Teeth sensitivity
What Treatment Includes
Individualized care,
built around your jaw.
Manual therapy
Skilled hands-on work is the core of every session — precise treatment of the jaw and the structures that influence it.
Intraoral techniques
When appropriate, treatment includes intraoral work for chewing muscles that are difficult to reach any other way.
Joint mobilization
Gentle mobilization of the temporomandibular joint to improve how it glides, opens, and closes.
Soft tissue work
Release of the jaw, temple, and neck muscles that commonly drive jaw pain and tension-type headaches.
Dry needling, when appropriate
Certified trigger point dry needling for stubborn muscle tension that needs more than hands-on work alone.
Neck, posture & home care
Treatment of related neck and postural dysfunction, plus education and a home program so progress continues between visits.
Getting Started
Your first visit, step by step.
Book online or call
Choose an Initial Evaluation time online, or email with questions first. No referral is needed to get started.
A thorough evaluation
55–60 minutes, one-on-one: jaw movement, joint mobility, muscle tenderness, and the neck and posture factors involved.
Treatment & a plan
Treatment often begins the same day, and you leave with a home program and a clear plan for what comes next.
For Patients & Providers
Working alongside your dentist.
TMD care often involves more than one provider. Dentists frequently manage bite-related care, splints, and night guards; physical therapy addresses the muscles, joint mechanics, and neck and posture patterns that contribute to symptoms. The two work well together.
Dentists and physicians are welcome to refer patients directly by emailing Priscilla@pjhtherapy.com.
Common Questions
TMJ questions, answered.
Do I need a referral for TMJ physical therapy?
No — not to get started. Texas direct-access law lets you begin physical therapy without a referral. If your care continues beyond the period the law allows (currently up to 30 days), Texas requires a referral from a physician, dentist, chiropractor, or other qualified provider, and we're glad to help coordinate it. Insurance referral and authorization rules don't apply, because we don't bill insurance.
What happens at my first visit?
Your first 55–60 minute visit is a thorough one-on-one evaluation: how your jaw opens and moves, joint mobility, muscle tenderness, and the neck, posture, and headache patterns that so often travel with TMD. There is usually time to begin treatment, and you leave with a home program tailored to you.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on how long symptoms have been present and what is driving them. Many patients notice a change after the first session, and Priscilla will give you her honest estimate once she has evaluated you.
Does physical therapy replace my dentist's care?
No — it works alongside it. Dentists often manage bite-related care, splints, and night guards, while physical therapy addresses the muscles, joint mechanics, and neck and posture factors that contribute to TMD. Many patients benefit from both.
What does TMJ physical therapy cost?
Every session is $120 for 55–60 minutes of one-on-one care, paid at the time of service. HSA and FSA funds can be used, and we provide superbills if your plan has out-of-network physical therapy benefits.