An Introduction to TMJ Management for in Clinic & Telerehabilitation
An Introduction to TMJ Management for in Clinic & Telerehabilitation
This course includes
The instructors
Overview
Have you ever considered that the joint responsible for speaking, chewing, and swallowing, active hundreds of times each day, is routinely overlooked in clinical assessment?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most used yet most under-examined structures in the body, often dismissed because jaw complaints aren't always a patient's primary presentation. Yet TMD may be the hidden driver behind temporal headaches, upper cervical stiffness, dizziness, and unexplained ear pain.
This course, led by Bahram Jam of APTEI, offers a practical, evidence-informed introduction to TMJ evaluation and conservative management — designed for both in-person and virtual care settings, and built around the principle that the best outcomes come from empowering patients to manage themselves.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the anatomical landmarks and precise palpation techniques for evaluating the masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and suboccipital muscles.
- Differentiate between capsular sensitivity, retrodiscal irritation, and myofascial pain associated with conditions such as bruxism — because misclassification leads to misdirected therapy.
- Explain the biomechanical relationship between digastric muscle weakness from forward head posture and compensatory suboccipital strain during the approximately 500 daily swallowing cycles.
- Apply gentle soft tissue self-release techniques using reciprocal inhibition and cervical flexion exercises suitable for both in-clinic delivery and telerehabilitation.
Audience
This course is designed for physiotherapists, physical therapy students, and allied healthcare professionals who are ready to add TMJ evaluation and conservative management to their clinical toolkit. It is equally relevant for clinicians working in traditional settings and those delivering care through virtual platforms — making it a timely resource for modern, flexible practice models.
Why This Course Matters
The TMJ warrants routine screening for any patient presenting with temporal headaches, upper cervical pain, dizziness, or clicking — yet it remains one of the most under-assessed joints in physiotherapy practice.
Beyond the joint itself, this course addresses a critical interprofessional knowledge gap: many dentists remain unaware of the significant role physiotherapy plays in conservative TMD management, resulting in patients being funnelled toward invasive procedures that could be avoided.
With 90% of effective TMD management resting on patient self-care — behavioral modifications, self-release techniques, and protective strategies like custom mouth guards and K-tape — clinicians who complete this course will be equipped to shift care toward patient autonomy, reduce long-term costs, and collaborate more effectively across disciplines.
The instructors
PT, D.SC.PT, M.PHTY, B.SC.PT, FCAMT
Bahram is a physiotherapist and founder of the Advanced Physical Therapy Education Institute (APTEI). He's taught 1000+ continuing education courses to healthcare professionals across Canada & internationally.
He has instructed over one thousand post-graduate orthopaedic and pain science courses and has been a guest presenter at several physiotherapy and medical conferences across Canada and internationally.
His primary clinical approach is to identify relevant functional impairments and determine the best self-management strategy to maximize patient independence.
Material included in this course
-
Course Materials
-
Welcome and Slides
-
Identification
-
What Can be Done?
-
Conclusion
-
Questions
-
Summary and Key Insights
-
Knowledge Check
-
Feedback
-
What's Next
-
Never Stop Learning: Next Steps
Patient exercises included in this course
-
TMJ Exercise: Hypermobility
-
TMJ Exercise: Anterior Disc Displacement with Reduction 1
How can I get this course for free?
Embodia Membership gives you access to a wide range of evidence-based courses, clinical tools, and resources all in one place. As a member, this course (and many others) is included at no additional cost, helping you save time and money while staying up-to-date in your practice.
If you’re not yet a member, non-members can still access the course for a one-time fee. Joining Embodia unlocks this course plus hundreds of hours of additional education and clinical resources, making membership the most convenient and cost-effective way to continue learning.
You can learn more about membership options available on the Embodia membership pricing page.
Is a certificate of completion included with this course?
Once you have completed the course, a certificate of completion (including learning hours and course information) will be generated. You can download this certificate at any time. To learn more about course certificates on Embodia please visit this guide.
This can be used for continuing education credits, depending on your professional college or association. If this course has been approved for CEUs in specific jurisdictions, it will be noted on the course page and CEU information may be added to your course certificate. Please read this guide for more information.
US PTs and PTAs: How many CEUs has this course been approved for?
This course has been approved for 0.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants in the US. Please see the FAQ 'Has this course been approved for CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants in the US?' for a detailed list of the approved states. In order for your US jurisdiction information to appear on your course certificate, you must complete your jurisdiction information on your Embodia profile as per this guide.
Has this course been approved for CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants in the US?
Yes, Embodia is a rule-approved CE provider of the PT Board of Florida (# 50-54793), a licensed CE sponsor of physical therapy continuing education by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR #216.000415), an approved provider of continuing education by APTA Massachusetts, an approved provider of the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision - Physical Therapy (#50-54793), and an approved provider of continuing education for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants in California (CA) by Redefine Health Education, a recognized approval agency of the Physical Therapy Board of CA.
Courses approved by other state boards in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation:
AL | AK | AR | CO | CT | DE | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | ME | MA | MI | MO | MT | NE | NH | NC | ND | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | UT | VT | VA | VI | WA | WI | WY
Please reach out to your state licensing board to confirm. If you have a specific question about CEU approval for this course in your state, please direct your inquiry to info@ceuapproval.com
The following states are not pre-approved: AZ, DC, LA, MD, MN, MS, NM, NV, NY, NJ, OH, TX, WV
Participants licensed in states not pre-approved may file for individual approval using the instructions on this document.