Jaw Pain (TMJ)
TMJ & Jaw Pain Treatment in Scottsdale
Your jaw is one of the most frequently used joints in your body. Every time you chew, speak, yawn, or swallow, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and surrounding muscles work together to create smooth movement.
When the jaw becomes irritated, restricted, or overloaded, it can lead to pain and symptoms that extend beyond the jaw itself. TMJ dysfunction can be associated with jaw pain, headaches, facial tension, neck discomfort, clicking, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
At Body Check Chiropractic, Dr. Matt Tanneberg takes a personalized approach to TMJ care, evaluating the jaw along with the muscles of the face, neck, shoulders, and upper back to identify musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
What Is TMJ Dysfunction?
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, connect your lower jaw to your skull. They allow your jaw to move up and down, forward and backward, and from side to side.
TMJ dysfunction can involve the joint itself, the surrounding muscles, or both. Symptoms can develop following trauma, prolonged stress, teeth grinding, repetitive chewing, changes in movement, or other factors.
Common TMJ Symptoms
TMJ problems can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Jaw pain or tenderness
Clicking or popping when opening or closing the mouth
Jaw stiffness
Difficulty opening the mouth fully
Jaw locking or catching
Pain while chewing
Facial muscle tension
Headaches
Ear-area discomfort
Neck and shoulder tension
Changes in how the jaw moves
Symptoms can occur on one or both sides of the face and may come and go or become persistent over time.
Common Causes & Contributing Factors
TMJ symptoms can have multiple contributing factors. These may include:
Teeth grinding or clenching
Stress-related jaw tension
Trauma or facial injury
Motor vehicle accidents
Muscle tension in the jaw and neck
Restricted movement in the cervical spine
Poor posture
Repetitive chewing
Changes in jaw mechanics
Because the jaw, neck, and upper body are connected through muscles and movement patterns, evaluating the surrounding areas can be an important part of understanding TMJ symptoms.
How Body Check Chiropractic Can Help
TMJ treatment depends on your symptoms and the structures involved. Dr. Matt may use targeted chiropractic and soft tissue techniques to address muscular tension and movement restrictions throughout the jaw and surrounding areas.
TMJ & Extremity Adjustments
The jaw itself can develop movement restrictions, just like other joints in the body. Appropriate manual techniques may be used to address restricted jaw movement and improve overall joint function.
Dr. Matt can also evaluate the cervical spine and other surrounding joints that may influence jaw mechanics.
Myofascial Release
Muscles around the jaw, face, neck, and upper shoulders can become tight and overactive, particularly in people who clench or grind their teeth.
Myofascial release can be used to address soft tissue tension and restrictions in the jaw and surrounding muscles, helping support improved movement.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping may be incorporated into a broader treatment plan to address muscular tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. These areas can contribute to overall tension patterns associated with jaw discomfort.
ARPwave Neuromuscular Therapy
ARPwave uses targeted electrical stimulation to interact with the neuromuscular system. When appropriate, it may be incorporated to support muscle function and recovery in surrounding areas contributing to jaw and neck tension.
PEMF Therapy
The Zimmer EMfield provides Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy and may be incorporated as a non-invasive recovery modality to support circulation and the body's natural recovery processes.
Red Light Therapy
The ARCC Red Light Therapy Bed may be used as an additional recovery therapy. Red and near-infrared light exposure is designed to support cellular function and the body's natural recovery processes.
TMJ & Headaches
Jaw tension and TMJ dysfunction can sometimes occur alongside headaches, particularly when muscles around the jaw, temples, neck, and upper shoulders become chronically tense.
For patients experiencing both TMJ symptoms and headaches, Dr. Matt can evaluate the jaw, cervical spine, and surrounding musculature to determine whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to their symptoms.
Treatment may focus on improving jaw and neck mobility while addressing areas of muscular tension.
TMJ & Neck Pain
The jaw and neck are closely connected through muscles and movement patterns. Changes in one area can influence how the other functions.
For example, prolonged forward-head posture, neck tension, or restricted cervical movement may contribute to increased muscular demand around the jaw. Conversely, chronic jaw tension can contribute to tension throughout the neck and shoulders.
That's why Dr. Matt takes a broader approach rather than focusing exclusively on the painful area.
TMJ After a Car Accident
A motor vehicle accident can place significant force through the jaw, neck, and upper body. In addition to more obvious injuries such as whiplash, some patients may develop jaw pain, clicking, stiffness, or changes in how their jaw moves following a collision.
If your TMJ symptoms began after an accident, Dr. Matt can evaluate the jaw and surrounding structures as part of a comprehensive injury assessment.
Personalized TMJ Care
TMJ symptoms can have different causes, and treatment needs to be individualized. Some patients primarily experience muscular tension, while others may have joint restrictions, trauma-related symptoms, or a combination of factors.
Dr. Matt takes the time to understand your symptoms, evaluate your jaw and surrounding structures, and determine which therapies may be appropriate.
At Body Check Chiropractic, you'll work directly with Dr. Matt at every visit, providing consistent one-on-one care throughout your treatment.
When TMJ Symptoms Require Further Evaluation
Persistent or severe jaw pain should be evaluated appropriately. You should also seek additional medical or dental evaluation if you experience significant swelling, an inability to open or close your mouth, a jaw that becomes locked, significant changes in your bite, or symptoms following significant facial trauma.
Because TMJ symptoms can have dental, structural, neurological, or other causes, chiropractic care isn't a substitute for evaluation by a dentist, oral and maxillofacial specialist, or other appropriate healthcare professional when needed.
If you're looking for TMJ treatment in Scottsdale, Body Check Chiropractic provides personalized chiropractic and soft tissue care designed to address musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to jaw discomfort and restrict