TMJ Physical Therapy — Cedar Knolls, NJ

Understanding Your Pain

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

TMJD is commonly misunderstood and misdiagnosed — leaving countless patients without the care they truly need. We believe in clear answers and a path built around you as a whole person.

"Your jaw pain is rarely just about your jaw — it echoes through the whole body."

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint — the sliding joint connecting your jaw to your skull just in front of both ears. Unlike the ball-like shoulder joint, it distributes pressure throughout its range of motion, enabling biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and swallowing.

Because the nerve connected to the TMJ is a branch of the trigeminal nerve, dysfunction can radiate into the ear canal, temple, cheek, neck, and lower teeth. Many patients live for years with headaches and ear pain without knowing the jaw is the source.

At TMJ Physical Therapy, we treat the root cause — not just where the pain shows up.

Trouble Chewing or Swallowing

Locked Jaw

Ear Pain

Neck Pain

Sinus Pain

Neuromuscular Headaches

Your Therapist

Dr. Taher Abouelleil
PT, DPT

Treatment begins with knowing you — as a person, not just a patient.

A doctoral graduate of SUNY Downstate Medical Center (2010), Dr. Taher brings over 15 years of experience helping patients recover from postural stress and orofacial dysfunction. Since opening TMJ Physical Therapy in Cedar Knolls in 2022, he has treated over 300 patients in a private, one-on-one setting.

Dr. Taher's approach is holistic in the truest sense — considering posture, lifestyle, stress, and overall wellbeing. Sessions are unhurried, deeply attentive, and set in a warm, personal environment designed to make you feel at ease.

License No. 40QA01439200 New Jersey Licensed Physical Therapist · SUNY Downstate Medical Center, DPT 2010

What to Expect

Your path to recovery

Recovery from TMJ dysfunction is a commitment — and one Dr. Taher takes alongside you. Sessions are deeply personal, unhurried, and set in a warm, carpeted, quiet environment. You may even be offered tea.

Every session is one-on-one with Dr. Taher. No aides, no parallel patients. Just focused, expert, whole-person care.

Session frequency

1–2× weekly

Minimum 6 weeks recommended to see meaningful rehabilitation of your TMD.

Session length

~50 minutes

Every minute is with Dr. Taher directly. No rush, no handoffs.

Starting point

Evaluation first

The initial evaluation must be performed by Dr. Taher before treatment begins. This is where your plan is built.

Your Journey

Phases of Care

Recovery from TMJ dysfunction unfolds in three distinct phases. Where you begin depends on your evaluation — and Dr. Taher will always be honest about what your body needs.

Phase I

"Something is wrong and I don't know why."

10 sessions $3,590

The Evaluation

Discussion of your pain and goals
Full jaw dysfunction evaluation
Identify the root cause of your TMJD
JFLS-8 baseline measurement
Timeline — how long recovery will take

What You'll Work On

Postural re-education specific to TMJD
Tongue & muscular neuromuscular re-education
Breathing exercises to reduce cortisol
Rib dysfunction correction
Learning how to move again — pain-informed

What to Expect

Pain is tracked before each session, after, on waking, and before sleep. The goal of Phase I is a 50% reduction in pain ratings and a 50% improvement in jaw function (JFLS-8).

One personal goal Each patient also sets one specific goal of their own — something that matters to them beyond the clinical measures.

Phase II

"I understand my body. Now I'm putting it into practice."

10 sessions $2,500

The Shift

Phase II is where you go from surviving to living. You've learned how your body moves — now you learn how to exercise, and how to carry Phase I into real daily life.

What You'll Work On

Learning how to exercise safely
Applying Phase I fundamentals in daily life
Home workout programming
Return to ADL (Activities of Daily Living)
Building back your active adult life

Pain Tracking Continues

Pain after exercise becomes a key metric. Sessions track how your jaw and nervous system respond as you reload physical activity — ensuring progress is real, not just momentary relief.

III

Phase III

"I'm pain-free. I want to stay that way."

10+ sessions $1,800

Optimization

Phase III is for patients who have achieved significant pain relief and want to maintain, protect, and build on that progress long-term. The goal isn't just being pain-free today — it's staying that way.

What Continues

Ongoing neuromuscular maintenance
Progressive functional goals
Periodic JFLS-8 reassessment
Personalized optimization planning

Who This Is For

Athletes, performers, high-demand professionals, or anyone who wants their body performing — not just recovered. Phase III is about ceiling-raising, not just floor-holding.

Full Program Bundle · 30 Sessions

Phase I + II + III — Complete Recovery Package

Discuss bundling options directly with Dr. Taher during your evaluation.

$7,890 if purchased separately

$6,100

Save ~$1,890 · $263 / session

What Patients Say

In their own words.

After trying everything to resolve my chronic TMD — massage therapy, a dental bite guard, Botox, acupuncture — nothing seemed to stick. By the time I started therapy, solid food, brushing my teeth, yawning, talking, exercising — all triggered pain. I just hurt all the time. By trusting Dr. T's process, I felt relief after my very first treatment. After completing my 15th session, the results are remarkable. I truly believe I'm on the path to being completely pain-free. What sets Dr. T apart is his personalized, science-based, and compassionate approach. He listens closely — not just to your words, but to how your body is responding. His help has truly given me my life back.

Haven't had to look at Advil in months. With Dr. T you'll never spend 20 minutes sitting with an ice pack before being handed off to a 19-year-old aide. He is worth every penny.

I have suffered from TMJ for years, but this past month I ended up in the hospital. After just one session, I walked out feeling like a brand-new person. I was truly lost for words — I didn't expect such quick and dramatic relief.

I've suffered from chronic TMJ dysfunction for over 20 years. My jaw used to pop so loudly you could hear it across the room. Dr. Taher's neuromuscular reeducation approach has allowed me to correct deep-rooted postural abnormalities that were at the core of my pain. For the first time, I feel like I'm building a foundation for long-term relief.

As a physical therapist graduate myself, I knew we needed a true specialist. Dr. T was incredibly insightful and thorough during the evaluation — really listening. With every visit, my husband sees improvement, and I've noticed a difference in the way he carries himself.

After a shattered jaw and seven-hour surgery, I came here barely able to open my mouth. After just four sessions I can chew steak and chicken again — which felt impossible weeks ago. I've updated this review after session 7: my surgeon was happy with the results and I'm opening 7–9mm more than my last visit with him.

Rooted in the
whole of you.

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

Dr. Taher Abouelleil
PT, DPT

How TMJ PT treats
dysfunction differently

Root Cause First

Whole-Body Lens

Measured Progress

Your path to recovery

Phases of Care

In their own words.

Costs & Insurance

Out-of-network — and worth it.

Your first step is
a conversation.

Rooted in the whole of you.

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

Dr. Taher Abouelleil PT, DPT

How TMJ PT treatsdysfunction differently

Root Cause First

Whole-Body Lens

Measured Progress

Your path to recovery

Phases of Care

In their own words.

Costs & Insurance

Out-of-network — and worth it.

Your first step isa conversation.

Rooted in the
whole of you.

Dr. Taher Abouelleil
PT, DPT

How TMJ PT treats
dysfunction differently

Your first step is
a conversation.