--- title: "TMD After Radiation: Fibrosis and How Physical Therapy Can Help" description: Discover how physical therapy can alleviate TMJ dysfunction caused by radiation-induced fibrosis, improving jaw mobility without surgery or medication. image: https://physicaltherapytmj.com/hubfs/Closeup%20portrait%20young%20woman%20with%20sensitive%20tooth%20ache%20crown%20problem%20about%20to%20cry%20from%20pain%20touching%20outside%20mouth%20with%20hand%20isolated%20blue%20background.%20Negative%20emotion%20facial%20expression%20feeling.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tmd-radiation-fibrosis#main-content) [![TMJ Logo_FINAL](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TMJ%20Logo_FINAL.png?width=1320&height=590&name=TMJ%20Logo_FINAL.png "TMJ Logo_FINAL")](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/) - About Us - [About Us](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/about-us) - [Locations](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/locations) - [FAQs](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/faq) - [Blog](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog) - [Online Scheduling](https://scheduling.go.promptemr.com/patientLogin?returnTo=%2FonlineScheduling%3Fw%3D1081%26s%3DDL&w=1081&aupl=1) - [Contact Us](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/contact-us) - [TMJ Disorder](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/tmj-disorder), - [Jaw Pain](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain), - [TMJ therapy Atlanta](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/tmj-therapy-atlanta), - [TMJ pain after radiation](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/tmj-pain-after-radiation) # TMD After Radiation: Fibrosis and How Physical Therapy Can Help - July 7, 2025 [TMJ Physical Therapy](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/author/tmj-physical-therapy) Radiation therapy is a powerful tool in the fight against head and neck cancers—but it can come with unintended consequences. One of the most common and challenging side effects is fibrosis, a condition marked by the excessive buildup of connective tissue in muscles and soft tissues. When fibrosis affects the jaw, neck, and facial region, it can lead to significant TMJ dysfunction, limiting mobility, causing pain, and making daily tasks like eating and speaking difficult. ## What Is Fibrosis, and How Does It Affect the TMJ? Fibrosis is the body’s response to tissue injury caused by radiation. As the body attempts to repair the damaged area, it deposits excessive collagen and scar tissue. In the head and neck, this can lead to tightness and stiffness in the muscles of the jaw (masseter, pterygoids), throat, and neck. As these tissues lose their elasticity, they can restrict the movement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to: - Decreased jaw opening (trismus) - Jaw pain or stiffness - Clicking or locking of the TMJ - Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing - Referred pain to the ear, face, or head Unfortunately, fibrosis tends to progress slowly over time if not addressed, often months or even years after cancer treatment ends. The research supports this concept. In a study performed by Pauli and colleagues in 2022, patients who received radiation treatment were assessed prior to the treatment and 6 months after radiotherapy was completed.  They found 42% had problems with mouth opening and 1/3 reported stiffness and fatigue with mouth opening. To read the article in more detail, click here: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34755469/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34755469/)   ## The Role of Physical Therapy in Managing Radiation-Induced TMJ Dysfunction Physical therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment available for managing TMJ dysfunction secondary to fibrosis. Rather than masking symptoms, physical therapists work to reverse the effects of tissue stiffening and improve overall movement and function. Here’s how physical therapy helps: ### 1. **Reduces Connective Tissue Tightness** Through gentle manual therapy techniques like myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and soft tissue mobilization, physical therapists can reduce adhesions and improve flexibility in scarred or fibrotic tissue. ### 2. **Improves Jaw and Neck Mobility** Targeted stretching and jaw mobilization exercises help increase mouth opening, decrease resistance in the TMJ capsule, and restore smoother jaw movement patterns. ### 3. **Restores Facial and Neck Function** Therapists address surrounding structures like the upper cervical spine, sternocleidomastoid, and hyoid musculature to reduce strain, improve posture, and optimize functional coordination of the jaw and neck. ### 4. **Educates and Empowers** Patients learn self-massage, stretching, and posture-correcting techniques they can perform daily at home—critical for long-term relief and preventing further restriction. In 2020, Shao and colleagues demonstrated that trismus can be improved with certain types of exercises in their systematic review.  Read the article here: [Exercise therapy for cancer treatment-induced trismus in patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814020307532) ## Final Thoughts TMJ dysfunction caused by radiation-induced fibrosis is a unique and often underrecognized complication in head and neck cancer survivors. If you or a loved one is experiencing facial tightness, jaw stiffness, or reduced mouth opening after cancer treatment, physical therapy offers a proactive and personalized path to recovery. With the right treatment, it’s possible to reduce pain, improve function, and regain control of your jaw and neck health—without surgery or medication. ### **Looking for TMJ physical therapy near you?** If you’d like to learn more about general TMJ dysfunction and discover how physical therapy can help, check out our overview blog post: [Understanding TMJ Dysfunction and How Physical Therapy Can Help](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tmd-physical-therapy). TMJ Physical Therapy specializes in treating radiation-induced fibrosis and TMJ dysfunction with compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs. Blog Post ## Related Articles Interested to learn more? Click below to access all articles written in TMJ Physical Therapy's Blog! [![A demonstration of a red bite guard between two sets of teeth](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/hubfs/Man%20holding%20a%20teeth%20sample%20made%20out%20of%20plaster%20cast.jpeg)](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/jaw-pain-guard-physical-therapy) [TMJ pain](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/tmj-pain), [Jaw Pain](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain), [jaw pain after wearing night guard](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain-after-wearing-night-guard), [jaw pain with bite guard](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain-with-bite-guard) ### [Jaw Pain After Using a Night Guard? Physical Therapy May Be the Answer](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/jaw-pain-guard-physical-therapy) July 17, 2025 Night guards are commonly recommended to protect the teeth from grinding or clenching (bruxism), especially in people... [Read more](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/jaw-pain-guard-physical-therapy) [![A woman singing into a microphone with hyoid tightness](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/hubfs/Attractive%20woman%20singing%20in%20microphone%20against%20white%20background.jpeg)](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tmj-dysfunction-singers-musicians-hyoid-muscles) ### [TMJ Dysfunction in Singers: The Overlooked Role of the Hyoid Muscles](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tmj-dysfunction-singers-musicians-hyoid-muscles) July 23, 2025 For singers, wind instrument players, and voice professionals, the throat and jaw are essential tools of the trade. But... [Read more](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tmj-dysfunction-singers-musicians-hyoid-muscles) [![Orthognatic Surgery and Physical Therapy](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/hubfs/Surgeons%20washing%20their%20hands%20in%20a%20hospital%20while%20smiling.jpeg)](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/orthognathic-surgery-and-physical-therapy) [TMJ Surgery rehab](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/tmj-surgery-rehab), [TMJ therapy Atlanta](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/tmj-therapy-atlanta), [Post-operative TMJ care](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/post-operative-tmj-care), [physical therapy after jaw surgery,](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-after-jaw-surgery), [Orthognathic surgery recovery](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/tag/orthognathic-surgery-recovery) ### [Orthognathic Surgery and Physical Therapy: A Key Recovery Partnership](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/orthognathic-surgery-and-physical-therapy) June 19, 2025 What is Orthognathic Surgery and How Can Physical Therapy Help? Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is a... [Read more](https://physicaltherapytmj.com/blog/orthognathic-surgery-and-physical-therapy) Check all articles Blog Post CTA ### Looking For Relief From Jaw Pain? Did you relate to any of the material above? Looking for hands on assistance from our physical therapists?  Feel free to click the button below and fill out a contact form to start! 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