Past, current, and future Jaw Surgery patients Unite!
Mrs. Mac
Member
Hi friends! Has anyone been to see a physical therapist after surgery? My ortho highly recommended one for me as I'm 3 1/2 months post op and still can't open my mouth enough to eat a burger and my tendons are super tough. Just wondering what it's like and if it was helpful :D
Sarahxgx
Member
3 months and you cant open your mouth? oh you poor thing that sounds rough :( i really hope I wont be like that after 3 months, after seeing all the stories on this I thought most people would be almost back to normal by then. Really hope you feel better soon! X
Euphobia
Moderator
You can do it yourself. It's what my ortho taught me. I was the same around that time to and could only open my mouth about 2 finger widths wide.
You can start with one hand, open your mouth as wide as much as you can without forcing it and then place your thumb on your top two front teeth and use your index finger to push against your lower teeth pushing your jaw open. It can feel a bit uncomfortable as you open it wider and everything's stretching, but keep doing it a few times a day and you'll see you can open wider. I started using two hands as well for a bit more force after a while.
Also move your jaw side to side as far as you can, too.
This is all my ortho told me to do and it did the trick without going to see any physiotherapist.
Mrs. Mac
Member
@Sarahxgx: I definitely had a set back because I had to have my plates removed two months after my initial surgery but I'm determined to be able to open my mouth to pre surgery capabilities! lol. I'll keep you posted.
@Euphobia: I just tried this and I can already feel how it will make a difference! Thanks for the tip. I don't know if I can move my jaw side to side yet as I just looked in a mirror and it looks like I'm just pouting, haha. I'll have to concentrate harder on that one. Thanks again for the support. :)
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