TMJ Disorder: When Jaw Pain Disrupts More Than Just Your Bite

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder affects people of all ages and walks of life. Whether you're a student dealing with exam stress, a professional spending long hours at a desk, or someone recovering from dental work or injury, TMJ dysfunction can interfere with eating, speaking, sleeping, and overall well-being.

What Is TMJ Dysfunction?

The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull and functions like a sliding hinge. It’s one of the most frequently used joints in the body, activated every time we talk, chew, or yawn. TMJ dysfunction occurs when this joint and the surrounding muscles are not working in proper harmony.

A commonly overlooked aspect of TMJ issues is muscle imbalance among the muscles of mastication—the muscles responsible for moving the jaw. When even one of these muscles becomes overly tight or restricted, it can cause the jaw to deviate or deflect to one side during opening or closing. This imbalance can lead to joint strain, pain, and uneven wear over time.

Common contributors to TMJ dysfunction include:

• Teeth grinding or jaw clenching (often stress-related)

• Bite misalignment or dental procedures

• Whiplash or head or neck trauma

• Forward head posture from prolonged screen or phone use

• Fascial and muscular tension in the jaw, neck, and upper body

Symptoms may include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, limited ability to open the mouth fully, ear pressure, headaches, dizziness, or neck and shoulder stiffness. Imaging often appears normal, which can leave many people feeling confused or dismissed.

How Osteopathy Can Help with Jaw Pain

At my clinic, I offer a gentle, integrative approach to diagnosing and treating TMJ dysfunction. Rather than focusing solely on the jaw, I evaluate the broader network of structures that influence jaw mechanics—including the neck, spine, cranium, and surrounding fascia.

While local treatments such as massage or Botox injections may offer temporary relief, they often don’t address the root cause. The jaw muscles are in use all day, every day—so without addressing the underlying imbalances, symptoms often return. A tight masseter or lateral pterygoid muscle, for example, can disrupt jaw motion and cause compensatory patterns in other parts of the body.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) works to correct these imbalances through precise, hands-on techniques. It supports long-term healing by helping the body return to a more functional and efficient state—rather than just masking symptoms.

TMJ Disorders and Screen Time

There is growing evidence that increased screen time plays a significant role in the rise of TMJ disorders. A population-based study in South Korea between 2010 and 2022 showed a near doubling of TMJ-related clinic visits—from 224,347 to 484,095—during the same period that smartphone and digital device use surged (Jeong et al., 2024, Scientific Reports).

Forward head posture, which is common with prolonged screen use, places strain on the neck, shoulders, and jaw. Research shows this posture increases tension in the suprahyoid and jaw muscles, leading to dysfunctional jaw mechanics.

In my clinical experience, most patients who come in with neck or back pain also report jaw discomfort. It is not a coincidence. When we improve their posture and relieve strain in the head and neck, their TMJ symptoms often improve as well even without local intervention.

Restoring Balance for All Ages

TMJ dysfunction is not limited to any one group. From teenagers with orthodontic changes to adults navigating chronic stress, anyone can develop jaw-related pain and dysfunction. Osteopathic care offers a safe, drug-free way to restore balance, reduce discomfort, and support long-term healing for people of all ages.