TMJ Dysfunction Treatment

TMJ dysfunction (also called TMD or temporomandibular disorder) refers to a group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint — the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. This joint is one of the most complex in the body, combining hinge and sliding movements to allow you to open, close, and move your jaw side to side.

When the TMJ becomes dysfunctional, it can cause jaw pain, difficulty opening the mouth, clicking or popping sounds, headaches, earaches, and facial tension. TMJ dysfunction affects an estimated 10 million Americans and is more common in women than men.

Common contributing factors include stress and tension, teeth clenching or grinding, poor posture, jaw trauma, and arthritis. Often, multiple factors combine to create the problem.

At The Back Clinic, TMJ treatment addresses both the joint itself and the surrounding structures that influence jaw mechanics. Your treatment plan may include:

• Intraoral manual therapy — Gentle hands-on treatment of the muscles inside and around the jaw to restore normal tissue mobility
• TMJ joint mobilization — Skilled techniques to improve joint mechanics and reduce restrictions
• Jaw muscle retraining — Exercises to coordinate jaw opening and closing patterns and reduce muscle imbalances
• Cervical spine treatment — Addressing neck dysfunction that commonly contributes to TMJ symptoms
• Postural correction — Forward head posture changes jaw mechanics and increases TMJ stress
• Stress management strategies — Techniques to reduce clenching and tension habits
• Home program — Self-massage, stretching, and jaw exercises for daily management

Your first visit includes a comprehensive TMJ evaluation — jaw range of motion, joint sounds, muscle palpation, cervical spine screen, and assessment of your bite and jaw movement patterns. This thorough evaluation allows us to identify all contributing factors and build a targeted treatment plan.

Most patients begin noticing improvement in pain and jaw function within two to four weeks of starting treatment. A typical course of care for TMJ dysfunction runs six to twelve sessions depending on the complexity and chronicity of the condition.

We work collaboratively with your dentist if you are using a night guard or considering dental interventions. Our therapists can provide guidance on whether a referral to an oral specialist may be beneficial.