Temporomandibular Joint Treatment - Safe, Hands-On TMJ Care

Jaw pain, clicking, headaches, ear pressure, and facial tension are all signs that your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may be under stress. Whether it's from clenching, grinding, posture, or injury, TMJ dysfunction can create a ripple effect of discomfort throughout the head, neck, and shoulders.

Common TMJ Symptoms We Treat

TMJ dysfunction can manifest in various ways throughout your head, neck, and face. Common symptoms include:

• Jaw pain or soreness - Especially when chewing, talking, or yawning
• Jaw clicking or popping - Sounds when opening or closing your mouth
• Limited jaw movement - Difficulty opening your mouth fully
• Headaches and migraines - Often tension-type headaches
• Ear symptoms - Pressure, fullness, or ringing in the ears
• Facial tension - Tightness in cheek muscles and around the temples
• Neck and shoulder pain - Connected tension from jaw dysfunction

Why TMJ Affects More Than Just Your Jaw

The jaw is intricately connected to your neck, head, and shoulders through muscles, nerves, and fascia. When your jaw is under stress, it can create tension patterns that affect your entire upper body. This is why addressing TMJ often requires treating the whole system, not just the jaw joint itself.

Our Comprehensive TMJ Treatment Approach

At Aura Chiropractic, we take a gentle, full-body approach to TMJ care, because jaw pain rarely starts or ends at the jaw. Your treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and upper back to address postural contributors
• Targeted soft tissue work around the jaw, face, head, and shoulders
• Intraoral release techniques (performed with gloves) to address tension in muscles inside the cheek and near the jaw joint
• Postural and movement strategies to reduce strain and support lasting relief

What to Expect During TMJ Care

TMJ treatment is always personalized to your needs and comfort level. We use intraoral techniques to address jaw dysfunction directly, and can also incorporate external work on the neck, shoulders, and face. Many people find that addressing tension in surrounding structures, not just the jaw, leads to significant relief and improved function.

Whether your jaw discomfort is new or something you've lived with for years, chiropractic care offers a safe, hands-on way to reduce pain and restore ease in your daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes TMJ dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction can result from teeth grinding or clenching, jaw injury, arthritis, stress, poor posture, or misalignment in the neck and spine. Often, multiple factors contribute to the problem.

Is TMJ treatment painful?
TMJ treatment should not be painful. We use gentle techniques and always work within your comfort level. Some mild soreness afterward is normal as your muscles adjust, but the treatment itself should feel relieving.

Can TMJ cause headaches?
Yes, TMJ dysfunction commonly causes tension headaches, migraines, and even ear pressure. The jaw muscles connect to muscles in your head and neck, so tension in one area often affects others.

How long does TMJ treatment take to work?
Many patients notice some improvement after the first few visits, but lasting relief typically develops over several weeks as we address the underlying causes and retrain movement patterns.

Will you work inside my mouth?
Intraoral techniques may be used when appropriate and with your consent. We always start with external work and only progress to intraoral techniques if they would benefit your specific condition.

Can poor posture cause TMJ problems?
Absolutely. Forward head posture and rounded shoulders can place extra strain on your jaw muscles. This is why we address your neck and upper back as part of comprehensive TMJ care.