TMJ Dysfunction – Temporo Mandibular Joint - Coastal Sports and Wellness

TMJ Dysfunction – Temporo Mandibular Joint

The jaw (or TMJ for Temporo Mandibular Joint) is frequently unacknowledged as a source of pain in many head, neck, face, and vocal conditions.

TMJ Dysfunction– Temporo Mandibular Joint

Jaw Pain and Dysfunction

Jaw pain is often overlooked, but it can play a big role in headaches, neck pain, facial pain, and even voice or throat discomfort. The jaw joint (often called the TMJ) is closely connected to the muscles and nerves of the head and neck, which means issues here can affect many other areas.

Jaw problems commonly show up after motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or workplace injuries. Stress and daily habits like clenching or grinding your teeth — especially during sleep or periods of concentration — can also place a lot of strain on the jaw over time.

This ongoing tension can lead to muscle tightness, joint pressure, clicking or popping, pain with jaw movement, and difficulty chewing. Left untreated, these issues can worsen and may lead to long-term joint damage.

By addressing jaw tension, joint compression, and muscle imbalance early, we can help restore healthy jaw movement, reduce pain, and prevent ongoing problems — protecting your comfort and function for years to come.

Why do some jaw joints click?

Jaw clicking often happens when the jaw joint is not moving smoothly. This can be caused by muscle tightness, joint compression, clenching or grinding, past injuries, or imbalances in how the jaw muscles are working together. When the joint and surrounding tissues are under stress, movement can become uneven — leading to clicking, popping, discomfort, or pain with opening and closing the mouth.

In some cases, underlying nutritional or mineral imbalances can also contribute to muscle tension, poor tissue recovery, and joint irritation.

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How Treatment Works

Treatment focuses on releasing tension in the chewing muscles, which play a major role in jaw movement, pain, and clicking.

This may include gentle hands-on work inside the mouth, applied for short periods (about 20–30 seconds at a time), alternating between the right and left sides. This approach allows the muscles to relax without causing strain or discomfort.

By reducing muscle tightness and joint compression, treatment helps restore better balance and symmetry in jaw movement, relieve pain, and in many cases improve how the teeth come together (your bite).

Connecting the dots...

Assessment begins by observing how evenly the mouth opens and closes, as well as identifying habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth. We also consider the health and function of the sinuses, ears, and cranial bones, along with speech and breathing patterns and your dental history. Pain is often reduced when tightness in the chewing muscles is relieved, allowing the jaw to move more freely and comfortably.
TMJ pain and dysfunction commonly involves a vicious cycle, made up of several primary and secondary factors that influence one another. The goal of treatment is to identify and separate these contributing components, so they no longer reinforce the problem.
In some cases, TMJ pain and dysfunction may be secondary to other underlying conditions, which is why a thorough assessment is essential.

What to expect:

A series of 3 to 8 weekly treatments is often recommended to help re-pattern TMJ dysfunction (TMJD) and/or optimize laryngeal position. Clear treatment goals and measurable criteria for progress will be established, allowing you to track improvements and evaluate the effectiveness of care.
Longstanding jaw or TMJ issues can often be significantly improved, though they may not be fully resolved. In these cases, clients typically “graduate” from the initial series of treatments to monthly or seasonal maintenance visits, usually consisting of two treatments within a week. The goal is to help prevent old patterns from returning and to maintain a longer-lasting sense of comfort and function.