Understanding TMJ Dysfunction and How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Jaw pain, tension, or clicking can be frustrating and often confusing. Many people notice symptoms that come and go, change with daily demands, or seem to worsen without a clear reason. For some, jaw discomfort is subtle and manageable. For others, it can interfere with daily activities like eating, speaking, concentrating, or sleeping.

TMJ dysfunction, also known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMD, is rarely caused by a single problem. Instead, it often develops when the jaw, surrounding muscles, and nervous system are not working together as smoothly as they should.

TMJ Dysfunction Is More Than a Joint Issue

Although the jaw joint is involved, TMJ dysfunction is often driven by how the jaw moves and coordinates with the rest of the body.

Common contributing factors include excessive muscle tension or clenching, altered jaw movement patterns, involvement of the neck and upper spine, low or forward tongue posture, mouth breathing, and increased nervous system sensitivity over time. These influences often develop gradually and may persist even without a clear injury.

Rather than being purely a structural problem, TMJ dysfunction is frequently a functional issue. In many cases, the jaw is compensating for inefficiencies elsewhere, leading it to work harder than necessary during everyday activities such as speaking, chewing, or resting.

Common Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction

TMJ dysfunction can present in many different ways. Symptoms may include jaw pain or tightness, clicking or popping, locking or catching of the jaw, headaches or migraines, facial or temple pain, clenching or grinding of the teeth, difficulty chewing or fatigue with eating, changes in speech or swallowing, ear pain, ringing, pressure, or fullness, and ongoing neck and shoulder tension.

Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and they may fluctuate depending on posture, sleep, daily habits, and overall load on the system.

Clenching and Jaw Overactivity

Clenching and grinding are common contributors to jaw pain, but they are rarely driven by a single factor. Jaw overactivity can develop in response to altered movement patterns, breathing habits, tongue posture, muscle imbalance, nervous system sensitivity, or long-standing compensation within the neck and jaw.

Many people clench without realizing it, both during the day and at night. When this becomes habitual, the jaw muscles remain active even at rest, leading to fatigue, discomfort, reduced coordination, and increased sensitivity over time. Addressing clenching involves more than simply trying to “relax the jaw.” It requires understanding why the jaw is overworking and helping it move more efficiently with less effort.

Tongue Posture and Breathing Patterns

Tongue posture and breathing play an important role in jaw function. A low tongue position and habitual mouth breathing can increase strain on the jaw muscles and contribute to overactivity.

Encouraging awareness of gentle tongue posture and nasal breathing can help reduce unnecessary tension. When the tongue and jaw are able to move independently, the jaw does not have to compensate, allowing for smoother, more efficient movement with less strain. These changes are often subtle but can have a meaningful impact on jaw comfort and coordination over time.

TMJ Dysfunction and Injury or Trauma

In some cases, TMJ symptoms may develop after events such as a motor vehicle accident, whiplash injury, or dental procedures. However, many people experience TMJ dysfunction without any clear traumatic event.

When injury is involved, the jaw may adopt protective movement patterns guided by the nervous system rather than ongoing tissue damage. In these situations, care focuses on restoring comfort, coordination, and confidence in movement rather than forcing change.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care for TMJ dysfunction focuses on improving how the jaw moves and functions within the larger system of the neck, shoulders, and nervous system.

Treatment may include gentle mobilizations or adjustments, soft tissue work that can involve intra-oral techniques, and neuromuscular re-education to improve jaw control and coordination. Awareness strategies and stabilization exercises are also used to support smoother, more efficient movement.

Care is gradual and supportive, designed to help the jaw move comfortably and freely with better coordination while reducing unnecessary muscle tension and guarding.

You Are Not Alone

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Jaw pain and tension are very common, and many people benefit from a more comprehensive, whole-body approach to care.

At Brix Wellness, Dr. Nikea Fenton has a special interest in assessing these complex patterns to help patients understand their symptoms and begin addressing the root causes. If you would like to learn more about your jaw pain or explore a personalized approach to relief, book a TMJ-focused assessment with Dr. Nikea to help guide you through the next steps.