TMJ Pain: Can Chiropractic Help?

How Chiropractic can help with TMJ/TMDD Pain.

Article written by Dr. Marnie Hansen, Chiropractic Physician practicing at Salt Lake Spine & Pelvis in Salt Lake City, UT. March 2025

TMJ dysfunction can be a pain, but there is a lot you can do for it... naturally!

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMDD) can be a debilitating condition that affects many individuals. It can cause discomfort, pain, and dysfunction in various daily activities, particularly those that involve chewing, eating, and speaking. It can wake you up at night or limit your ability to open your mouth (for some people that's a good thing! Ha, just kidding).

All jokes aside, chiropractic care can provide relief and improve quality of life for those suffering from TMJ-related issues.

In this post, we will explore how chiropractic care can alleviate TMJ pain and dysfunction, focusing on the anatomy of the TMJ joint, the impact of posture, and the techniques chiropractors employ to encourage healing. At the end of the post, I give a few recommendations on what has helped many of my patients. I have nearly two decades of clinical experience in treating this painful disorder, and have a few things to say about it!

Let's dive in, shall we?

Understanding the Anatomy of the TMJ Joint

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex structure that connects the jawbone to the skull. It plays a vital role in facilitating movement for chewing and speaking. This joint is unique because it not only allows for hinging motion but also incorporates a sliding motion, providing a wide range of mobility.

Fun fact: the temporomandibular joint moves in a figure-eight pattern (just like your sacroiliac joint), making it a highly complex and dynamic joint! The downside: this pattern of movement can render the joint vulnerable to popping, clicking, and biomechanical issues.

Note the anatomy of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ), where the jaw bone attaches to the skull via the mandibular condyle.

The TMJ consists of several anatomical structures, including the mandibular condyle (what you feel by the opening of your ear), the temporal bone (that sore spot on the side of your head above your ear), and the articular disc (on the inside of the joint). Misalignments or dysfunctions within this joint can lead to pain, restricted movement, and other interconnected issues in the nearby facia and neck muscles.

Continued misaligning, popping, and clicking of the TMJ can lead to inflammation or arthritis in the joint. In time, and in worst-case scenarios, this can lead to what is commonly referred to as a "lock jaw," when the jaw locks into place, or can't move due to joint dysfunction, pain, and inflammation, keeping one from opening their mouth.

Painful popping or clicking can also be a sign of joint inflammation or arthritis.

Loss of proper function in the TMJ can also lead to additional strain on the neck and cervical spine, compounding discomfort and movement limitation. If you take a look at the diagram, you will see how close in proximity the TMJ is to the neck. Many tendinous and muscular connections are shared with the skull, facial muscles, and neck, as the fascia connects it all. Abnormal TMJ motion can affect how the neck also guards, protects, or responds to jaw dysfunction, and vice versa. (As discussed below)

The Impact of Forward Head Posture

Look at your phone much? Drive a lot?

One significant factor that can contribute to TMJ dysfunction is forward head posture, a common issue in today’s society, largely attributable to our increased use of technology and sedentary lifestyles. This posture occurs when the head is positioned further in front of the body than it should be, resulting in improper alignment. Sitting at our computers all day, slouching over to drive, or looking at our phones can all put constant and chronic stress on the anatomy of the neck (which we have now learned is intimately connected to the jaw).

When one experiences a sustained forward head posture, it can reduce the natural curvature of the cervical spine. This misalignment puts immense stress on the surrounding muscles that connect to the skull and go up and over the head into the face and jaw. Extra added stress is also put on the joints of the neck, which encase the delicate nerves that travel to the skull, face, and jaw, particularly to the TMJ region. Stress to the vertebral column of the neck from forward head posture can significantly affect how the TMJ feels and can contribute to pain and dysfunction.

Sustained forward head posture during activities of daily living like computer use or looking at phones can put extra stress on the neck, leading to dysfunction of the TMJ.

The muscular connections from the base of the skull down into the neck can become strained, affecting the biomechanics of the TMJ. As a result, the tension can pull on the muscles and anatomical structures associated with the TMJ, leading to discomfort and dysfunction.

Furthermore, stress on the nerves in the neck can refer pain to the TMJ joint, creating a cycle of pain and dysfunction that can be difficult to break without intervention.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

Chiropractic care focuses on addressing these underlying issues by promoting proper alignment and improving overall spinal health. By specifically addressing forward head posture, chiropractors can help minimize the strain placed on the cervical spine and surrounding tissues.

By restoring proper alignment to the spine, chiropractors:

• Alleviate stress on the body: Correcting posture not only improves alignment but also reduces stress on the muscles and joints connected to the TMJ.

  
  

• Improve nerve function: Realigning the cervical spine can relieve pressure on the nerves that supply the TMJ, enhancing its overall function.

  
  

• Restore biomechanics: Chiropractors work to improve the mechanics of the jaw, allowing for smoother movement and reducing discomfort during activities like chewing and speaking.

  
  

Techniques Used in Chiropractic Care for TMJ Dysfunction

Chiropractors employ various techniques to facilitate healing of the TMJ and its associated structures. Some of these techniques include:

Joint Adjustments

Gentle adjustments to the TMJ can help restore its proper function. By realigning the joint, chiropractors help alleviate discomfort and promote optimal movement, allowing patients to regain function without pain.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Chiropractors also focus on the soft tissues and musculature surrounding the TMJ. Techniques such as intraoral and facial massage can relax tension in the muscles that contribute to TMJ dysfunction.

This can include releasing tension in the muscles of mastication, which are responsible for chewing, and addressing any tightness that may have developed due to compensatory mechanisms.

Stretches and Strengthening Exercises

Chiropractors provide specific stretches and strengthening exercises to help patients maintain optimal function of the jaw and facial muscles. These tailored exercises can help reinforce the correction achieved through adjustments and promote long-term relief from TMJ issues.

Chiropractor performing myofascial release and stretching of the muscles surrounding the jaw, face, and TMJ

The 411 on TMJ Treatments

Here's my take: the healing process does not have to be complex or grueling, and you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on fancy orthotics and injections (though in the rare cases where natural therapy doesn't quite get to the problem first, they can help).

I've worked with many Dentists over the years to help correct the patient's bite or TMJ pain. Though they offer great orthotic devices and bite solutions, oftentimes they will recommend Botox injections as a first option. This should be your last resort, in most cases, in my professional opinion. I typically see measurable results with hands-on natural therapy in my office in just a few visits.

Natural therapies are the most logical first option for TMJ/TMDD, NOT a last resort (IMHO).

Finding a practitioner who is no frills, fancy bells, and whistles is oftentimes your best bet for a successful (and more economical) start at getting after your TMJ pain. In my office, I'm very straightforward with what it takes to correct the issue. Most times, I do work with Dentists, as correcting the bite and airways along with myofascial work and adjustments can make significant changes in the long run.

Here are some of my top recommendations to my patients for addressing TMJ/TMDD issues:

• Get professional help. Hands-on work beats all the injections and surgeries as a first line of defense if done right and addressed early. More often than not, the more drastic measures are not necessary. Find someone who can teach you to do the hands-on work at home. It's easy! But I do recommend expert guidance in the beginning.

• Find a bite/mouth guard. Typically a Dentist who can do a thorough assessment of your TMJ/palate is your best bet, and well worth the money for the tailored orthotics. However, in a pinch, I find that the wax mouthguards that boxers use (you can self-customize to your bite), which you can find in any local sporting goods store or Amazon, work great, and are a fraction of the price you would pay at the Dentist.

• Toothpick exercise to retrain bite: take two toothpicks, and place one in between your upper two front teeth, and the other between your lower. Do this at night while brushing your teeth. Open and close your mouth to keep the toothpicks in line with each other. Repeat for a minute or two, and watch how the toothpicks deviate as you move your jaw. This is a great way to retrain your bite, and the muscle memory of the jaw, and assist in proper TMJ function.

• Look for a practitioner who is proficient in TMJ therapies. Craniosacral, Chiropractic, and TMJ-trained Soft Tissue work by a licensed professional is excellent for relieving tight/sore jaw muscles.

• CBD oils and creams can help with inflammation and relief.

• Reduce stress. Stress management techniques like breathwork, yoga, and meditation work wonders for my patients, as I find that stress and unprocessed emotions are a major factor in TMJ pain.

• Address bad habits. Become aware of your posture, or how and when you clench. Be mindful of making a habit of sleeping on your side, as this can put stress on the jaw and the neck (get a supportive pillow, too!).

• Eat soft foods until the issue resolves. Naturally, you will want to gravitate to this with painful locking and clicking, but it can help with less serious cases of TMJ dysfunction as well.

  
  

Conclusion

Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to managing TMJ pain and dysfunction. By understanding the anatomy of the TMJ joint and how posture affects its function, chiropractors can develop tailored treatment plans that address the root causes of discomfort.

Plus the more YOU know, the more you know what to do! After all, it is YOUR jaw, and you have to live with it. By incorporating good habits, and knowledge of the anatomy of the jaw, you can eliminate a lot of TMJ issues down the road.

If you are experiencing TMJ-related pain or dysfunction, consider consulting a chiropractor who specializes in this area (like moi'). With the right expertise and dedicated care, you can experience significant relief and improve your overall well-being. With ongoing support and a focus on maintaining proper alignment, you can reclaim your quality of life and enjoy the activities you love without the burden of pain.

And if you are a talker like me (but TMJ pain makes speaking hard), you know how important that is ;)

Salt Lake Spine & Pelvis is here to help! With over 17 years of experience in treating TMJ/TMDD, Dr. Marnie delivers customized plans for her TMJ patients. Questions? Book a consultation here!