Chiropractic Care for Temporomandibular Dysfunction or TMJ
Your Jaw Pain or TMJ might be resolved with chiropractic and cranial care.
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Understanding Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located on the skull, where your mandible (jaw bone) touches the temporal bone (a bone in the skull). When there’s dysfunction in the joint, it’s called temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). This dysfunction can come from many different factors, including muscles, bones and the disc within the joint itself. Some symptoms of TMD might include clicking/popping of the TMJ, pain in the joint, or lock-jaw. Through chiropractic care, we can help with the symptoms of TMD with adjustments, cranial work, and releasing tight muscles.
What TMD Can Feel Like
- Pain or stiffness in the jaw
- Clicking/popping in the joint
- Tender, tired feelings in the face, jaw, and neck
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Difficulty chewing
- “Locked” jaw
- Radiating pain into the neck and shoulders
- Teeth sensitivity
Common Triggers
- Jaw clenching
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Excessive jaw use, like chewing gum
- Nail-biting
- Eating hard foods
- Stress
- Poor posture (upper cross syndrome)
- Trauma and injury
- Arthritis
- Dental issues
Impact on Daily Life
- Painful eating, speaking or sleeping
- Reduced work productivity
- Social withdrawal
- Persistent headaches
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Stress from managing symptoms
- Unexpected symptoms, like ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Why Temporomandibular Dysfunction Symptoms Can Continue
Chronic muscle overuse
Untreated joint damage
Poor stress management
Joint degeneration
Underlying issues, like malocclusion of teeth (bite being off) or other injuries
Repetitive motions, like chewing gum or biting nails or resting the chin on the hand
Poor posture
Hormone imbalance
Untreated joint damage
Poor stress management
Joint degeneration
Underlying issues, like malocclusion of teeth (bite being off) or other injuries
Repetitive motions, like chewing gum or biting nails or resting the chin on the hand
Poor posture
Hormone imbalance
How Chiropractic Care May Help
By techniques like SOT and AK, we can use their system of analysis to find which part of the joint is having the most impact on your body. This might include gentle palpation of the joint, tracking the jaw when it’s going from open to close, muscle work, and gentle adjustments to the cervical spine. Cranial work may also be included in your care as the TMJ attaches to the skull.
We may use:
gentle chiropractic adjustments
Myosfascial release
Lifestyle and nutritional considerations
Our Approach to Temporomandibular Dysfunction Care
Individualized care plans
Your care is built around your symptoms, history, and how your neck and nervous system are functioning — not a standard protocol
Gentle, targeted techniques
Chiropractic care is not just one method. We use a variety of techniques and choose what’s appropriate for your comfort, mobility, and condition
Rehabilitation at the right time
When your body is ready, we may introduce exercises to support posture, stability, and long-term neck function
Imaging when clinically indicated
If needed, we can order X-rays or MRIs to better understand structural or disc-related issues
Advanced testing when appropriate
In certain cases, tests like EMGs or nerve conduction studies (NCVs) can help evaluate nerve involvement
Ongoing monitoring
We track how your symptoms and function change over time — not just day-to-day pain levels
Care that adapts with you
As your neck improves or your needs change, your care plan is adjusted accordingly
Collaboration with other providers
When helpful, we coordinate with medical doctors, physical therapists, and other providers involved in your care
This approach focuses on improving how your jaw functions over time — not just temporarily reducing symptoms.
Who This Care May Be Right For
This approach may be a good fit if you are experiencing TMD and need different options for care.
If you’re looking for thoughtful, individualized care focused on improving function and quality of life, this may be the right next step.
What to Expect at Apex
Your care starts with understanding how your neck, spine, and nervous system are functioning together — not just where it hurts.
Comprehensive evaluation
We review your history, symptoms, and how neck pain is affecting your daily life
Neurologic and functional assessment
Evaluating movement, nerve function, and how your body is responding overall
Personalized care plan
Built specifically for your condition, goals, and tolerance
Gentle, targeted treatment
Techniques are selected based on what your neck can handle comfortably
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments
Care evolves over time as your symptoms and function change
This process is designed to support steady improvement in neck function and reduce recurring symptoms over time.
Related Conditions We Also Help With
Headaches
Concussions
Neck Pain
Tongue Tie
Postural Issues
Balance Difficulties
Dizziness
Vertigo
Tech Neck
Text Neck