Can Strenuous Exercise Aggravate TMD Symptoms?
Happy 2022! It’s hard to believe that a new year is upon us. A popular trend at the start of a new year is to evaluate the state of your overall health. Many adults make resolutions that include unrealistic health goals. This is the reason fitness facilities and health food stores run specials immediately at the start of a new year. It is wonderful to become passionate about improving your overall health, but it is important to make moderate changes that are not drastic and can easily be worked into your life and busy schedule.
Exercise Safely
When you suffer from the effects of TMD, it is important to be realistic about your activity level. We encourage our patients to remain physically active throughout treatment. If a patient is not exercising regularly, we may suggest taking a brisk walk daily or practicing yoga. We do not recommend for patients to immediately jump into strenuous activity if it is not something they are already accustomed to doing.
If you suffer from TMD and are under our care, we suggest speaking to us before starting any new workout regimen. This is particularly important if you are going to be weight lifting or using heavy weights during a portion of your exercise plan. When athletes lift heavy weights, it is a common reflex to bite or clench down on their teeth. This repeated motion can cause severe damage and aggravate TMD symptoms. It can also create TMD symptoms in patients who have no prior diagnosis for this condition.
If you are under our care for TMD treatment and are interested in starting a fitness routine or would like to challenge yourself physically, we suggest contacting our office located in Auburn & Silverdale, WA to discuss your plans. We would hate for your plan to improve your health to cause discomfort and aggravate your TMD condition. We wish you and your family a happy start to the new year and look forward to seeing you soon!
