If you’ve ever felt a clicking in your jaw, difficulty chewing, or aching pain near your ears and temples, you might be dealing with TMJ dysfunction. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull and plays a crucial role in everyday activities like talking, eating, and even yawning. When this joint becomes irritated or misaligned, it can lead to discomfort and limit your ability to move your jaw properly.
While many people don’t realize it, chiropractic care can be an effective, natural way to relieve TMJ pain. At Cornerstone Chiropractic in Greeley, Dr. Darin Busse helps patients find relief from jaw tension and related symptoms by addressing the structural causes of the problem—not just the symptoms.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
TMJ dysfunction (also known as TMD) can develop for a number of reasons, including:
- Jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Poor posture, especially in the neck and shoulders
- Injury or trauma to the jaw or face
- Arthritis or joint degeneration
- Stress, leading to chronic muscle tension
- Whiplash and motor vehicle accidents
When the muscles, ligaments, or bones around the TMJ are out of balance, the joint can’t move smoothly. This results in pain, tension, and other symptoms such as:
- Clicking or popping when opening the mouth
- Jaw stiffness or locking
- Headaches or migraines
- Ear pain or a sensation of fullness
- Neck and shoulder tension
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Dr. Busse’s approach to TMJ pain focuses on improving alignment, reducing muscle tension, and restoring natural joint function. Here’s how chiropractic care can help:
1. Addressing Misalignment in the Jaw and Neck
TMJ pain often originates not just in the jaw, but in the upper cervical spine. Misalignments in the neck can affect nerve communication and lead to compensatory tension in the jaw. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment to both the neck and jaw, relieving pressure on surrounding muscles and nerves.
2. Reducing Muscle Tension
Jaw clenching and poor posture can lead to tight, overworked muscles around the face, neck, and shoulders. Through soft tissue work and targeted adjustments, chiropractic care helps reduce muscle tension, improving range of motion and relieving pain.
3. Promoting Nervous System Balance
Stress often contributes to TMJ dysfunction, either through clenching or muscle tightness. Chiropractic care helps regulate the nervous system, encouraging the body to shift out of fight-or-flight mode and into a more relaxed state.
What to Expect at Cornerstone Chiropractic
During your first visit to Cornerstone Chiropractic, Dr. Busse will perform a comprehensive evaluation that may include spinal and jaw assessments. If TMJ dysfunction is contributing to your symptoms, he will create a personalized care plan designed to relieve pain and restore joint function.
Care may include gentle spinal adjustments, muscle release techniques, and posture correction—especially if poor alignment in the neck is contributing to your jaw discomfort.
Find Relief from TMJ Pain—Naturally
If jaw pain, clicking, or tension is disrupting your life, chiropractic care could be the solution you’ve been looking for. At Cornerstone Chiropractic in Greeley, Dr. Busse provides effective, drug-free care to help you feel better and function more comfortably.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward lasting relief from TMJ pain.