Brookings Health Adds Physical Therapy Services for Jaw Disorders

  • January 28, 2016

Stan Halseide, PT, DPT, ACT
Stan Halseide, PT, DPT, ACT

Brookings Health System’s rehabilitation services recently added temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders to its available physical therapy treatments.

The TMJ is the hinge that connects the cheek bone to the jaw bone, allowing people to move their jaws up-and-down and side-to-side for talking and chewing. People with TMJ disorders often experience severe pain and discomfort, including jaws that lock or have clicking and popping sounds.

Physical Therapist Stan Halseide, DPT, ATC treats patients with TMJ disorders whose jaw pain is not related to teeth alignment. He works with patients to restore the natural movement of the jaw and decrease pain, including:

  • Improve posture to reduce the strain on the TMJ.
  • Improve jaw movement through manual therapy, myofascial release, soft and deep tissue mobilization as well as joint mobilizations.
  • Improve scar tissue and adhesions.
  • Provide low load exercise to improve strength and reduce pain.
  • If pain is severe, use treatments such as electrical stimulation, iontophoresis or ultrasound to reduce pain.

Physical therapy for TMJ disorders is covered by most health insurance policies. A doctor referral is required. For more information on physical therapy or the other rehabilitation services at Brookings Health System, please visit www.brookingshealth.org/PT.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic, Arlington Medical Center and White Medical Clinic. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.