TMJ Pain & Dysfunction: How Chiropractic Care May Help
TMJ pain can make simple everyday activities such as eating, talking and yawning uncomfortable. You may experience jaw pain, clicking or popping, jaw stiffness, facial tension, headaches or neck pain. In some cases, the jaw may feel tight, difficult to open fully, or as though it catches or locks.
These symptoms are commonly associated with TMJ dysfunction (TMD). The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, connects your lower jaw to your skull and allows your jaw to open, close and move from side to side.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction
TMJ problems can affect people differently. Common symptoms include:
Jaw pain or aching
Clicking or popping when opening or closing the mouth
Jaw stiffness or tightness
Pain or discomfort when chewing
Difficulty opening the mouth fully
Facial pain or tension
Headaches, particularly around the temples
Neck pain and stiffness
Tight or tender jaw muscles
Jaw catching or locking
What Can Cause TMJ Pain?
There isn't always one clear cause. TMJ pain and jaw dysfunction can be associated with several factors, including jaw clenching, teeth grinding, stress, tight muscles, previous injuries or problems affecting the jaw joint itself.
The jaw and neck also work closely together. For some people, tension or reduced movement in the neck and surrounding muscles may contribute to their overall symptoms.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help With TMJ Pain?
At Despina’s Chiropractic, we regularly see people experiencing TMJ pain, jaw tension and associated neck discomfort.
Rather than looking at the jaw in isolation, we assess how your jaw moves alongside the muscles around your face, jaw and neck. We also consider other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Depending on what we find during your assessment, care may include gentle hands-on treatment, soft tissue techniques for tight jaw and neck muscles, mobility work, exercises and practical advice for managing your symptoms at home.
Our aim is to help improve comfortable movement, reduce muscle and joint tension, and help you better manage your symptoms.
TMJ pain can have a number of different causes, and chiropractic care may not be appropriate for every jaw problem. If we feel your symptoms require further investigation, we may recommend that you speak with your dentist, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional
TMJ Pain Treatment at Depsinas Chiropractic
If you're struggling with jaw pain, jaw clicking, jaw tension, headaches, facial discomfort or neck pain, Depsinas Chiropractic can assess your symptoms and help determine what may be contributing to the problem.
If chiropractic care is appropriate for you, we'll create an individual treatment and management plan based on your symptoms and assessment.
Struggling with TMJ or jaw pain?
At Despina's Chiropractic, we’re here to help you understand what may be causing your symptoms and find the right approach to help you move and feel more comfortably.
