Jaw physiotherapy exercises

Strengthening — Jaw

Controlled Mouth OpeningControlled mouth opening, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, jaw axis control Isometric Jaw AbductionIsometric jaw abduction, 3 sets, 8 repetitions per side, hold 5 seconds Isometric Mouth ClosureIsometric mouth closure, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, hold for 5 seconds Isometric Mouth OpeningIsometric mouth opening, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, hold for 5 seconds in open position Jaw Clenching with Teeth TighteningJaw closing with teeth clenching, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, slow and controlled movement Jaw Protraction Against ResistanceJaw protraction against resistance, 3 sets, 10 repetitions Jaw Protraction Isometric ExerciseProtraction isométrique de la mâchoire, 3 séries, 8 répétitions, tenir 5 secondes Lateral jaw abduction against resistanceLateral jaw abduction against resistance, 3 sets, 8 repetitions each side Manual Resistance Mouth OpeningManual resistance mouth opening, 3 sets, 8 repetitions Resisted Mouth ClosureResisted mouth closure, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, slow and controlled movement

Mobility — Jaw

Active mandibular mobilization in lateral movementActive mandibular lateral movement, 3 sets, 8 repetitions per side, seated, mouth slightly open Assisted mouth opening with mandibular controlAssisted mouth opening, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, mandibular axis control Cheek Puff and Suck ExercisePuffing and hollowing cheeks, 2 sets, 10 repetitions Closed-mouth SmileClosed-mouth smile, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, hold for 5 seconds Controlled mouth opening with fingers on the chinControlled mouth opening with fingers on the chin, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, mandibular axis control Eyebrow FrowningEyebrow frowning, 3 sets, 10 repetitions Forced Eye ClosureForced eye closure, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, possible assistance with the finger Frowning the noseFrowning the nose, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, hold for 3 seconds Gradual Eye Closure with Gentle AssistanceGradual eye closure, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, gentle assistance with finger if needed Kiss in a Chicken Cul-de-sacKiss in a chicken cul-de-sac, 2 sets, 10 repetitions, slow and large movements Lower Lip FoldingLower lip folding, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, hold 3 seconds Mandibular lateral movement with tongue against the palateMandibular lateral movement with tongue against the palate, 3 sets, 8 repetitions each side Opening the mouth with the tongue against the palateMouth opening with tongue against the palate, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, control of mandibular axis Protraction and Retraction of the JawJaw protraction and retraction, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, slow and controlled movement Retractive Jaw MobilizationRetractive jaw mobilization, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, slow and controlled movement Wide Smile with Visible TeethWide smile with visible teeth, 3 sets, 8 repetitions, hold for 3 seconds

Motor control — Jaw

Controlled Mouth Opening with Fingers on DiscsControlled mouth opening with fingers on discs, 3 sets, 8 repetitions

Stretching — Jaw

Assisted Eye ClosureAssisted eye closure, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, hold for 3 seconds Digastric muscle stretchDigastric muscle stretch, 3 sets, 5 repetitions, slow and controlled movement Gentle Eyelid StretchGentle eyelid stretch, 3 sets, 10 repetitions, finger assistance if needed Masseter Muscle StretchMasseter muscle stretch, 3 sets, hold for 10 seconds, return to neutral between repetitions Masseter Stretch with Controlled Mouth OpeningMasseter stretch with controlled mouth opening, 3 sets, 5 repetitions, hold 5 seconds in open position Temporal muscle stretch in sitting positionTemporal muscle stretch, seated, 3 sets, 5 repetitions, slow and controlled movement

Self-massage — Jaw

Self-massage of the intra- and extra-oral masseter muscleSelf-massage of the intra- and extra-oral masseter muscle, 2 minutes per side, slow pressure and circular movements Self-massage of the Masseter MuscleSelf-massage of the masseter muscle, 2 minutes, slow pressure and circular movements Self-massage of the masseter muscle with opening and closing the mouthSelf-massage of the masseter muscle with mouth opening/closing, 2 sets, 1 minute per side Self-massage of the medial pterygoid muscleSelf-massage of the medial pterygoid muscle, 2 sets, 1 to 2 minutes per side

Common conditions — Jaw

• Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

Exercises for other body areas

• Shoulder
• Knee
• Back
• Neck
• Hip
• Ankle and foot
• Core and abs
• Elbow
• Hand and wrist

This information is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. Ask your physiotherapist or doctor before starting, especially if you have pain, a recent injury or have had surgery.