How Chiropractic Care Helps TMJ Dysfunction: The Neck-Jaw Connection

Let’s talk about that clicky, crunchy, “why-does-my-face-hurt” kind of jaw pain. If your jaw feels like it’s got a vendetta against you every time you chew, yawn, or try to sing along to Beyoncé, you’re not alone. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (a.k.a. TMJ dysfunction or TMD) affects an estimated 5–12% of adults, and yep—it can make daily life a lot less cute.¹

The good news? Chiropractic care—especially when we look at the neck + jaw together—can be a powerful tool to help relieve TMJ tension, reduce inflammation, and get you back to feeling like the baddie you are.

💀 So What Is TMJ Dysfunction Anyway?

The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull, just in front of your ears. It’s the hinge that lets you chew, speak, yawn, and tell your dog they're a good baby.

TMJ dysfunction (TMD) happens when that joint becomes misaligned, inflamed, or overly tight. Common symptoms include:

• Clicking or popping when you chew or yawn

• Pain in the jaw, face, or ear

• Headaches or neck pain

• Limited jaw movement or locking

• That constant urge to massage your temples like you’re in a soap opera

🌀 Wait, What Does the Neck Have to Do With My Jaw?

Glad you asked! The jaw and neck are like the drama queens of the musculoskeletal system—they’re always in each other’s business.

Here’s the tea: your cervical spine (aka neck) plays a huge role in how your jaw functions. The trigeminal nerve, which controls the muscles of the jaw, has connections with the upper cervical spine (C1–C3).² If those upper neck vertebrae are misaligned or not moving well, they can mess with nerve flow and muscle tone throughout your jaw and face.

In other words: sometimes the jaw isn’t the real problem—the neck is.

A 2020 study in Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that people with TMJ pain also frequently had cervical spine dysfunction—and that addressing cervical alignment significantly reduced their jaw symptoms.³ Boom.

🙌 How Chiropractic Care Helps

Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to TMJ dysfunction. Instead of just treating the jaw, we:

• Assess and adjust the cervical spine to restore proper nerve and muscle function

• Use gentle techniques to mobilize the TMJ itself, if needed

• Address posture imbalances (hello, tech neck) that put pressure on the jaw

• Work with soft tissues—think fascia, muscles, and trigger points around the jaw, neck, and shoulders

• Collaborate with dentists, PTs, and other providers if mouthguards, bite issues, or stress are playing a role

A 2021 systematic review in Cureus noted that chiropractic and manual therapy had positive outcomes for reducing TMJ pain and improving jaw function, especially when the cervical spine was included in treatment.⁴

🧠 TMJ, Stress & the Nervous System

Let’s not forget the nervous system connection. TMJ tension is very often stress-related. Clenching, grinding, or bracing your jaw? That’s your body holding on tight when it doesn’t feel safe or regulated.

Regular chiropractic care helps regulate your nervous system, not just your spine. That means you’re not just getting relief from the symptom—you’re creating space for your body to shift out of fight-or-flight mode and into healing.

👑 You Deserve to Feel Better

Whether your TMJ is just starting to get cranky or has been a years-long saga, we see you. And we’re here to help—not with cookie-cutter solutions, but with personalized, gentle care that treats the whole you.

If your jaw is popping like bubble wrap or your neck feels like it’s made of cement, it’s time to come in. Let’s get you aligned, unwound, and feeling like yourself again.

-Dr. Savannah

Sources:

1. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. “Prevalence of TMJD and Related Pain.” https://www.nidcr.nih.gov

2. Okeson, J. P. (2013). Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion. Elsevier Health Sciences.

3. Olivo, S. A., et al. (2020). “The association between cervical spine dysfunction and temporomandibular disorders.” Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 47(3), 271–279. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12899

4. Poluha, R. L., et al. (2021). “Effectiveness of Manual Therapy for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Cureus, 13(2), e13434. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.13434