One of our patients came to us with ongoing jaw pain that had slowly been getting worse. They noticed their jaw would click when eating. Mornings were the worst — their jaw felt tight and sore, and they often woke up feeling like they’d been clenching all night. Their dentist had fitted them with a night splint, which they wore faithfully, but lately, they’d started clenching down on the splint itself. On examination, the left side of the jaw felt stiff while the right side was more painful and noisy. In this case, the combination of nighttime clenching and uneven jaw movement overworked the muscles and joints, leading to stiffness, clicking, and pain — especially in the morning.
Does this sound familiar? This common condition affects many people in the clinic. I often see many patients who have just dealt with it, not realising there are ways to reduce this pain and target the cause. With the right balance of muscle release, gentle adjustments, and strategies to reduce clenching, this type of jaw pain can usually be eased and better managed in the long term.
What is TMJ dysfunction?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint—the hinge-like joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ dysfunction (sometimes called TMD or temporomandibular disorder) is a disorder that affects the jaw joints and muscles.
Common signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction
TMJ dysfunction can manifest in various ways, including:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw, especially when chewing
- Aching pain around your ear
- Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Jaw locking, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
- Headaches or migraines
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Facial pain or swelling
Many patients are surprised to learn that their chronic headaches or neck pain may actually stem from TMJ issues.
What causes TMJ dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction doesn’t have a single cause—it often results from a combination of factors:
Physical trauma: Injuries to the jaw, head, or neck can damage the joint or surrounding muscles. Even whiplash from a car accident can contribute to TMJ problems.
Teeth grinding and clenching: Also known as bruxism, this habit (often done unconsciously during sleep) puts enormous pressure on the TMJ and can wear down the joint over time.
Arthritis: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint, causing pain and reduced mobility.
Posture: Forward head posture and slouching can strain the muscles of your jaw, neck, and shoulders, contributing to TMJ dysfunction. With our increased use of technology and time spent working at a desk, this tends to tighten the upper neck muscles and weaken the deep neck flexor muscles.
Stress: Emotional stress often causes people to tighten their facial and jaw muscles or clench their teeth, leading to TMJ problems.
Bite misalignment: Issues with how your teeth fit together can place uneven stress on the TMJ.
Disc erosion or displacement: The TMJ has a small disc that acts as a cushion. If this disc erodes or moves out of proper alignment, it can cause pain and dysfunction.
How do chiropractors treat jaw pain?
In the clinic, we take a holistic approach to treating TMJ dysfunction. Rather than just treating the joint and muscles around the jaw, we look at the whole upper body and how this may contribute. TMJ treatment includes:
Soft tissue therapy: Internal (inside the mouth) and external soft tissue techniques help release tension in the muscles around the jaw, neck, and shoulders that may be contributing to your TMJ pain.
Spinal examination and treatment: We often find that TMJ dysfunction is connected to restriction in movement of the upper cervical spine (your neck). By correcting these restrictions through gentle chiropractic adjustments or mobilisations, we can reduce tension on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
TMJ-specific releases: We can perform targeted releases to the jaw itself, helping to restore proper joint movement and reduce inflammation.
Postural correction: We provide guidance on proper posture, especially for those who spend long hours at a desk or looking at screens. Small changes in how you sit and changing positions frequently while working can make a significant difference in TMJ symptoms.
Exercise: We’ll teach you exercises and stretches to support your treatment, along with lifestyle modifications that can help prevent TMJ pain from returning.
TMJ dysfunction can be frustrating and painful, but you don’t have to live with it. Many patients experience significant relief after just a few chiropractic sessions, though treatment length varies depending on the severity and underlying causes of your condition.
References
- Langendoen, J; Müller, J; Jull, GA, Retrodiscal Tissue of the Temporomandibular Joint: Clinical Anantomy and its Role in Diagnosis and Treatment of Arthropathies, Manual Therapy, 2(4), 191-198, 1997.
- Mark, BM; Kessler, CS, All Pain is not the Same, A unique Perspective on Headaches, TMJ Disorders and Facial Pain, JimSam Inc., 2010.
