Lock Jaw

When the jaw becomes locked and will not open it is because the muscles of mastication go into spasm or trismus. Why do they going into spasm? Usually it is due to an insult to the musculature
or the tmj itself. I have seen orthodontic
devices cause a spasm of the muscles of the jaw and cause it to lock. I have seen a displaced disc within the joint itself result in muscle spasm which prevents the jaw from opening. The answer is to relax the muscles, get the jaw open and then begin the therapy. Usually a splint to remove the pressure on the joint and facilitate the muscles
to release their spasm. Physical therapy, manipulation are some methods
used to unlock the jaw. Of course cold, heat, ultra sound, muscle stimulators are all part of the armentarium of a successful practicioner. The cranial osteopath can facilitate muscle relaxation by normalizing the muscles and bones of the cranium. Unfortunately, there are few practitioners skilled in this technique.