Jaw Pain , Jaw Ache? Geelong chiropractor.

TMJ Disorder & Jaw Pain: How Spinal function Plays a Role

If you’re dealing with jaw pain, clicking, popping sounds, or difficulty chewing, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder—a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your jaw to your skull. What many people don’t realise is that your spinal function, particularly in the neck and upper back, can play a surprising role in how your jaw functions.

As a chiropractor, I see this connection often in patients struggling with TMJ pain. Addressing jaw pain through spinal care might not seem intuitive, but it can make a significant difference in your comfort and recovery.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, often referred to as TMD, involves dysfunction of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Symptoms can include:

• Jaw pain or tenderness

• Clicking, popping, or grinding in the jaw

• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth

• Headaches or earaches

• Facial pain

• Locking of the jaw

TMJ issues may be caused by injury, misalignment, stress (leading to clenching or grinding), arthritis, or muscle imbalances.

The Spine–Jaw Connection: Why It Matters

Your jaw doesn’t operate in isolation. It works in harmony with your head, neck, and spine. The function of your cervical spine (neck) plays a crucial role in how your jaw functions. Here’s how:

1. Neck position Affects Jaw Mechanics

Poor posture—especially forward head posture—can place extra strain on the jaw and surrounding muscles. This tension can shift the way your jaw opens and closes, leading to misalignment and pain.

2. Nerve Interference

The nerves that control the muscles of the jaw and face share the same neurology of the neck (trigeminal nerve). When the neck is painful or not functioning well, it can irritate these nerves, leading to muscle tightness, spasms, or dysfunction in the TMJ region.

3. Muscle Imbalances

Neck and upper back tension can lead to muscular compensation patterns that impact the jaw. For example, tightness in the neck or shoulders can lead to clenching, uneven jaw movement, or increased stress on the joint.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help TMJ Disorder

Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive, multi-faceted,  non-invasive approach to TMJ issues by addressing spinal function, posture, and muscle balance. Here’s how I typically work with TMJ patients:

1. Spinal mobilisation/manipulation of the neck. 

Gentle chiropractic adjustments—especially in the cervical spine—can reduce nerve irritation to the trigeminal nerve/nuclei and ensure that Jaw pain isn’t coming from the neck.

2. Jaw Mobilisation/Manipulation Techniques

In some cases, I’ll also perform gentle mobilisation of the jaw joint itself or if needed, full manipulation to improve its motion and function.

3. Soft Tissue Massage / Active release therapies. 

Releasing tension in the neck, shoulders, and facial muscles can relieve jaw pain and reduce clenching or grinding. In some instances, we put gloves on and release muscles on the inside of the mouth or cheek.

4. Postural Coaching

Improving posture, especially head and neck positioning, can significantly reduce recurring TMJ symptoms.

**** Of interesting note, some early research has demonstrated that Jaw position can affect athletic performance. It has been suggested that lower/relaxed jaw positions can provide an increase of lower body power (5.8%), upper body power (10%), hamstring flexibility (14%) and balance and stability (4.8%) compared to the habitual bite. To read more, please check out this research article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8323458/#:~:text=Lower%20jaw%20position%20may%20affect,be%20optimised%20for%20athletic%20performance.

5. Stress Management

Because TMJ pain is often worsened by stress and clenching, we may also discuss relaxation techniques, sleep positions, and other lifestyle habits to reduce jaw tension. We also sell TMJ braces to wear of a night. We may also collaborate with local dentists if we feel the patients issues are outside of our scope of practice.

When to See a Chiropractor for Jaw Pain or TMJ Pain

If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain, clicking, popping or headaches—and especially if traditional treatments haven’t brought relief—chiropractic care may be the missing piece. I always start with a thorough assessment of your posture, spinal function, and jaw function to determine the root cause of your symptoms and tailor a treatment plan to achieve the desired result.

Let us put an end to your Jaw Pain / TMJ pain.

To book an appointment to see our experienced Chiropractor, please click here.

If you would like to know more information, you can contact us by clicking here.

Please find us on Facebook 

Find us on Instagram

Kind regards

Dr Matthew Gooch (Chiropractor)