Chiropractic Care for TMJ Disorders: A Natural Solution for Jaw Pain

TMJ disorder (Temporomandibular Joint dysfunction) affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often leading to jaw pain, clicking or popping, headaches, and difficulty chewing or opening the mouth. But the impact doesn’t stop there. TMJ dysfunction can also contribute to neck and shoulder tension and alter breathing patterns, which in turn affects the entire musculoskeletal system. 

What Causes TMJ Dysfunction? 

TMJ issues can develop from several contributing factors including: 

• Teeth grinding or clenching (often stress-related)
• Poor posture or spinal imbalances
• Jaw or facial injury
• Arthritis or joint degeneration
• Dental misalignment or bite issues 

One often-overlooked consequence of TMJ dysfunction is compensatory breathing, where shallow chest breathing replaces natural diaphragmatic breathing. Over time, this altered breathing pattern places added strain on the neck, shoulders, and rib cage, reinforcing poor posture and contributing to chronic muscular tension throughout the body. 

How Chiropractic Care at Right at Home Allied Health Can Help 

At Right at Home Allied Health, we take a holistic approach to managing TMJ dysfunction by addressing both the local jaw mechanics and the broader musculoskeletal imbalances that often accompany it. 

Our TMJ chiropractic care may include: 

• Gentle jaw adjustments/mobilisations to restore alignment and joint motion 
• Neck and spinal adjustments to reduce referred tension and improve posture 
• Soft tissue therapy, including intraoral muscle release, to relieve tension in deep jaw muscles 
• Cranial therapy techniques (such as Sacro Occipital Technique and Neural Organisation Technique) to reduce tension around the skull and jaw 
• Cold laser therapy to decrease inflammation, boost circulation and support tissue healing 
• Breathing and postural retraining to restore functional movement patterns and prevent recurrence 

By restoring jaw function and supporting healthier breathing and posture, chiropractic care can help ease pain and reduce the flow-on effects of TMJ dysfunction throughout the body. 

We’re Here to Help 

TMJ disorders can have far-reaching impacts beyond the jaw. At Right at Home Allied Health, our chiropractic team provides safe, personalised care to help reduce pain, improve mobility and support whole-body balance. Book an appointment with one of our allied health clinics today to explore how we can help you heal and optimise your function. 

Right at Home Allied Health is dedicated to delivering quality, patient-centred care across Australia. Our allied health services comprise chiropractic, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, and speech pathology. We also provide remedial massage therapy, clinical nutrition, clinical naturopathy, and Pilates. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those we serve by decoding health, happiness, and harmony. Discover, heal, and optimise your physical and emotional wellbeing with Right at Home Allied Health. Book a Discovery Session at your local clinic today. 

*Some services may not be available in all locations. Please contact your local office to learn more about their in-clinic and at-home allied health and wellbeing services.