Jaw Pain Archives - Shield Physical Therapy and Injury Prevention

Treatment For TMJ: Botox Vs Manual Therapy

Shield PT Staff / May 30, 2025

You wake up with your jaw sore, your head pounding, and your neck tight. It’s not the first time. Maybe your dentist mentioned TMJ or you’ve already been diagnosed and you’re trying to figure out the best way to feel normal again.
If you’re like most people dealing with TMJ, you’ve probably seen Botox treatments and manual therapy pop up in your search results. They both promise relief, but they work in very different ways.
We’re going to walk through what each option really involves, how they work, what you can expect during treatment, and when one might work better than the other.
This isn’t about hype. It’s about giving you real, practical insight into your choices so you can feel confident moving forward.
Because living with constant jaw tension or pain shouldn’t feel normal. Let’s help you get some clarity.

Is a TMJ Mouth Guard the Answer for Jaw Pain?

If you’re dealing with nagging jaw pain, it’s tempting to look for a quick fix. A TMJ mouth guard might seem like the obvious answer, but it’s not always the best or only solution.
Jaw discomfort often ties into much more than your bite. It can stem from how your joints move, how tense your muscles are, or how your nerves respond to pressure. When these systems don’t work well together, you feel it in your jaw, your head, even your neck.
Here’s the truth: lasting relief usually comes from restoring how your body moves and functions. That’s where targeted physical therapy makes all the difference.