The Link Between Poor Posture and TMJ Problems
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders can cause significant discomfort, including jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing. While many factors contribute to TMJ issues, one commonly overlooked cause is poor posture.
At West Side Comprehensive Chiropractic Care, we often see patients whose TMJ symptoms are worsened by how they hold their head and neck throughout the day. But how exactly does posture affect your jaw health?
When you slouch or hold your head forward for extended periods—common habits in today’s digital world—it creates extra tension in the muscles around your neck and jaw. This added strain can pull your jaw out of its natural alignment, aggravating the TMJ and causing pain or dysfunction.
Poor posture doesn’t just affect your back and shoulders—it directly influences the muscles and joints responsible for your jaw movement. Over time, this misalignment can lead to increased jaw stiffness or clicking, muscle spasms around the jaw and face, chronic headaches and neck pain, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth comfortably.
Chiropractors specialize in correcting musculoskeletal imbalances, including those that affect your TMJ. By improving your posture through spinal adjustments and targeted therapies, we can relieve the pressure on your jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
At West Side Comprehensive Chiropractic Care, we also provide personalized exercises and posture coaching to help you maintain proper alignment throughout the day—whether you’re at your desk, on your phone, or relaxing at home.
While professional care is essential, there are everyday habits you can adopt to support your jaw health. Try to keep your head aligned over your shoulders rather than jutting forward, take frequent breaks from screen time to stretch and reset your posture, avoid cradling your phone between your ear and shoulder, practice gentle neck stretches to relieve tension, and be mindful of your jaw position by avoiding clenching or grinding.
If you’re struggling with jaw pain, headaches, or other TMJ-related issues, don’t ignore the role your posture might be playing. The team at West Side Comprehensive Chiropractic Care is here to help you find relief and restore balance.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey toward better posture—and a healthier, pain-free jaw.
