The Jaw AKA Temporomandibular Joint
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Do you experience a dull ache right in front of your ears, a clicking sound when you chew, or a headache that feels like a tight band around your forehead?
If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. You are likely dealing with your Temporomandibular Joint, or TMJ—more commonly known as your jaw joint.
Despite being a relatively small structure, the jaw is one of the hardest-working and most complex joint systems in the human body.
The Anatomy: A Biomechanical Marvel
You have two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of your face, sitting just in front of your ears. They connect your lower jawbone (the mandible) to the temporal bone of your skull (underneath your ears).
What makes the TMJ unique—and highly complex—is that it is a tri-axial joint that performs two distinct types of movement:
Hinging: Allowing the mouth to open and close.
Gliding: Allowing the jaw to slide forward, backward, and side-to-side.
To keep this movement smooth, a small, flexible cartilage disc sits between the bones. This disc acts as a shock absorber and prevents the bones from rubbing together. Surrounding the joint is a network of powerful muscles (such as the masseter and temporalis) and ligaments that control its precise tracking.
Mechanical Causes of TMJ Dysfunction
Because the jaw relies on perfect symmetry in bone structure and soft tissue tension between the left and right sides, even a minor structural shift can alter the movement and function of the jaw joint. When the joint or the disc moves differently or asymmetrically, it is referred to as TMJ Dysfunction (TMD).
Common physical and mechanical causes include:
Disc Displacement: If the cartilage disc slips out or is under tension from the muscles that attach to it, the jawbone can no longer glide smoothly. This is what typically causes that distinct clicking, popping, or catching sensation. Postural strains in the head, jaw muscle tension, repetitive chewing or an abnormal jaw movement are all common causes of the disc not functioning as it should.
The Neck Connection (Cervical Spine): Your jaw sits just inches away from the top of your neck. Tensions and restrictions in the upper cervical spine (specifically the C1 and C2 vertebrae) alter the pull of the muscles under your chin and skull, forcing the jaw to track unevenly. They can also effect the pathways and tunnels that the nerves use to control the jaw. There are also several muscular links between the shoulder blade and upper ribs that can effect normal movement patterns of the jaw. We often see tension through this area as a result of emotional stress.
Dental Occlusion (An Altered Bite): An uneven bite, missing teeth, or recent dental work can change the mechanics of how your teeth meet, placing uneven wear and tear on one side of the jaw joint. If you struggle to breath through your nose, mouth breathing also can put a substantial load on the joint.
Direct Trauma: A past injury, such as a sports impact, a car accident (whiplash), or even keeping your mouth open for an extended period during dental surgery, can sprain the jaw ligaments or micro-tear the muscles.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Many people are surprised to learn that chiropractors treat jaws! Because we focus on the relationship between the nervous system, joints, and muscles, we look at jaw pain through a structural lens.
We look at
The nerve supply to the jaw
Joints of the upper back and neck, the skull, and the jaw joint itself
Muscle coordination
Overall postures influencing the area such as rounded shoulders and head tilt
When treating TMJ issues, our goal is to restore normal structural tracking, reduce inflammation, and relieve pressure on the surrounding nerves and muscles.
Ready to Find Relief?
You don't have to live with chronic tension, clicking, or restricted movement. By addressing the physical alignment of the joint and correcting the mechanics of your neck and jaw, you can find lasting relief. Book now to speak to a chiropractor for free to see how we can help you.
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