Darron Goralsky is the founder, director and principal physiotherapist at the Melbourne TMJ & Facial Pain Centre. Darron has 20 years of experience in treating chronic face, neck and jaw pain, including TMJ disorder and related conditions. He holds a post-graduate certificate in manipulative therapy, specialising in craniosacral therapy. The most common complaints that Darron addresses in his practice are TMJ disorder and bruxism.

TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joint,” the joint that attaches the jaw bone to the skull. TMJ disorders have to do with the position and movement of the joint, and with the muscles that control it. TMJ disorder can be caused by osteo or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint, dislocation of the joint, or habitual clenching or grinding of the jaw (bruxism), which is usually a reaction to stress.

The most common symptom of TMJ disorder is pain in the area around the jaw or in the face, often combined with pain in the shoulders and neck. Usually, these symptoms worsen while talking, chewing, or otherwise opening the mouth. People suffering from TMJ disorder may have trouble opening their mouths wide, and their jaws may lock or stick in an open or closed position. In many cases, they notice grinding or popping of the jaw joint, as well.

Bruxism is grinding of the teeth, and it is one of the causes of TMJ disorder. It most often occurs at night, and many sufferers are not aware of the problem until they develop TMJ disorder or dental problems. Bruxism is most often a symptom of chronic stress, and physiotherapy can be an effective treatment.

Because bruxism and other temporomandibular disorders respond well to manipulative therapy, a physiotherapist is an excellent choice as the clinical lead on disorders of the face, neck and jaw. Many sufferers of jaw pain, face pain and neck pain find that physiotherapy alone is enough to alleviate the condition. Of course, in some cases, medical specialists are needed to provide more invasive treatments or drug therapy.

Darron’s extended team includes TMJ dentists, TMJ doctors and other medical professionals who specialise in TMJ related disorders, including oral medicine specialists, prosthodontists, orthodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, specialist radiologists, chronic pain specialists, and ear, nose and throat surgeons. When the physiotherapy that Darron can provide isn’t a fully effective treatment for TMJ disorder, he knows exactly which referrals are needed to promote long term relief.

The Melbourne TMJ and Facial Pain Centre is located in Armadale and welcomes patients from all over greater Melbourne. The professionals at the Facial Pain Centre are experienced in providing physiotherapy treatments for bruxism and TMJ disorder, and they are experts in determining the best referrals to other medical professionals, when it’s warranted. They are providing an effective primary treatment centre for those suffering from muscular and joint-centred disorders of the jaw and mouth.

Melbourne TMJ Centre
9500-8656
http://melbournetmjcentre.com.au/