TMJ & Jaw Pain Treatment in Lubbock, TX

TMJ and Jaw Pain Treatment in Lubbock, TX

Temporomandibular joint disorder — commonly called TMJ or TMD — affects millions of Americans, causing jaw pain, clicking and popping, headaches, ear pain, and difficulty chewing. At Back 2 Health Chiropractic in Lubbock, TX, Dr. Brett Chavez, D.C. provides conservative, non-surgical treatment for TMJ disorders through a combination of chiropractic care and targeted soft tissue therapies.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints that connect your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull, located just in front of each ear. These joints, along with the surrounding muscles and ligaments, control jaw movement — opening, closing, and lateral movement. The TMJ is one of the most frequently used joints in the body; every time you speak, chew, yawn, or swallow, your TMJ moves.

TMJ disorder refers to a range of conditions involving dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, the disc within the joint, or the muscles that control jaw movement.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

• Jaw pain or soreness — often worse in the morning (from nighttime clenching or grinding) or after prolonged talking or eating
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Limited jaw opening — difficulty opening the mouth fully
• Locking of the jaw in an open or closed position
• Headaches — particularly at the temples or around the ear
• Ear pain — TMJ pain can radiate into the ear, mimicking ear infection
• Neck and upper back tension — the muscles of the jaw and neck are closely connected
• Facial pain or fatigue

Common Causes of TMJ Dysfunction

• Bruxism — chronic grinding or clenching of the teeth, especially during sleep
• Trauma — a blow to the jaw, whiplash from a car accident, or dental work requiring prolonged mouth opening
• Cervical spine dysfunction — the neck and jaw share neurological connections; cervical misalignment can contribute to TMJ pain through altered muscle tone and nerve function
• Disc displacement — the fibrocartilage disc within the TMJ can displace or degenerate, causing joint noise and pain
• Postural issues — forward head posture changes the resting position of the mandible and increases tension on the muscles of mastication
• Stress and anxiety — increased muscle tension from psychological stress

Chiropractic Care for TMJ

The connection between the cervical spine and the temporomandibular joint is well established. The muscles and ligaments of the upper cervical spine and the muscles of mastication share neurological pathways and functional relationships. Dysfunction in one area frequently contributes to or perpetuates dysfunction in the other.

Dr. Chavez addresses TMJ from both the jaw and the spine:

• Cervical chiropractic adjustments — particularly at C1 and C2, which share close neurological relationships with the trigeminal nerve system controlling the jaw
• TMJ mobilization — gentle intraoral and extraoral joint mobilization to restore normal disc and condyle mechanics
• Dry needling — targeting trigger points in the masseter, temporalis, pterygoid, and sternocleidomastoid muscles — major contributors to TMJ pain and headaches
• Massage therapy — releasing jaw, neck, and upper shoulder muscles that perpetuate TMJ dysfunction
• Postural correction — addressing the forward head posture that increases tension on the jaw complex

When to Seek Additional Care

Dr. Chavez works collaboratively with dentists and oral surgeons for complex TMJ cases. If your TMJ disorder involves significant disc displacement, requires a night guard or dental splint, or does not respond adequately to conservative chiropractic care, an appropriate referral will be made. Most mild to moderate TMJ cases, however, respond well to conservative care.

Schedule TMJ Treatment in Lubbock, TX

Jaw pain and TMJ symptoms are highly treatable with the right conservative approach. Don’t suffer through headaches, jaw pain, and limited function when effective care is available. Call Back 2 Health Chiropractic at (806) 425-5973 or request your appointment online today.