Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is activated every time you speak, eat, or express emotion. But when pain arises, it can take a serious toll on your daily life.
TMJ issues can make simple things like chewing uncomfortable and even interfere with your sleep. While millions of people deal with TMJ pain, many don’t realize there are treatment options beyond just taking pain relievers. If you’re struggling with jaw pain, clicking or popping, frequent headaches, or trouble moving your jaw, chiropractic care might offer the relief you’ve been looking for.
Rather than masking the symptoms, chiropractic care focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause—helping you feel better naturally and get back to enjoying daily life! In this article, we take a closer look at how chiropractic care can help.
What Are TMJ Disorders?
The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull, functioning as a sliding hinge that allows your jaw to move up and down and side to side. This joint works in conjunction with muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerves to create the complex movements needed for speaking and chewing.
TMJ disorders (sometimes called TMD) develop when problems arise with the joint itself or the surrounding muscles. Common symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, or ear area
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth
- Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
- Facial fatigue or pain when speaking
- Limited ability to open the mouth fully
- Locking of the jaw in open or closed positions
- Headaches, particularly in the temples
- Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Neck pain and stiffness
These symptoms can vary widely in severity, from occasional mild discomfort to debilitating pain that interferes with daily activities.
Several factors can contribute to TMJ disorders, including:
- Misalignment of the teeth or jaw
- Grinding or clenching teeth (bruxism), often during sleep
- Stress and tension, which can tighten facial and jaw muscles
- Arthritis affecting the TMJ
- Trauma to the jaw or temporomandibular joint
- Poor posture, particularly forward head posture
- Structural imbalances in the neck and upper back
How Chiropractic Care Addresses TMJ Pain
If you’re dealing with TMJ pain, you might be surprised to learn how closely your jaw is connected to the rest of your body—especially your neck and posture. Chiropractic care takes a whole-body approach to TMJ disorders, recognizing that jaw function doesn’t happen in isolation. By addressing issues in the spine, muscles, posture, and daily habits, chiropractic treatment can provide lasting relief without relying on pain meds or invasive procedures.
Your jaw and neck work together more than you might think. The nerves that control your jaw muscles pass through your cervical spine (your neck), and when the bones in this area are out of alignment, it can affect how those nerves function. Tension in your neck, shoulders, or face can also impact the jaw—and vice versa.
Through gentle adjustments to the upper neck, your chiropractor can help restore proper alignment and movement. This can reduce nerve irritation, ease muscle tension, and take pressure off the jaw.
Ready to experience the chiropractic difference? At Premier Chiropractic, your Spring Hill and Colombia chiropractors are here to help you tackle pain, guiding you toward a better, happier, and healthier life. Book your appointment with us today!
