When you think about TMJ, it’s common to just think about jaw pain. However, if you look at an anatomy book, you will notice that the jaw muscles connect to the head, neck, shoulder, back and chest, so that everything is connected. Keep reading for more information about how TMJ affects the entire body.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, commonly called TMJ, is the crucial hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull, located just in front of each ear. While many people experience oral discomfort due to cavities or gum issues, jaw joint problems can be an equally significant source of pain and frustration.
When we talk about “TMJ disorder,” we’re referring to problems with the muscles and joints that control jaw movement. These issues can range from mild symptoms like occasional clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, to more severe conditions involving chronic pain that radiates through your face, neck, and shoulders.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, commonly called TMJ, is the crucial hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull, located just in front of each ear. While many people experience oral discomfort due to cavities or gum issues, jaw joint problems can be an equally significant source of pain and frustration.
When we talk about “TMJ disorder,” we’re referring to problems with the muscles and joints that control jaw movement. These issues can range from mild symptoms like occasional clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, to more severe conditions involving chronic pain that radiates through your face, neck, and shoulders.
Does TMJ cause pain throughout the body?
Absolutely. Because the jaw muscles and bones are connected to other major parts of the body, TMJ disorder will often cause other pain within the body including headaches, shoulder pain, back pain, chest pain and neck pain.
At TMJ & Sleep Center our goal is to optimize every patient for the complete picture of their health. This includes addressing the patient’s posture, functional environment and archway, which lead to a patent airway. This complete approach to TMJ treatment is effective to resolve a wide-range of pain and discomfort in the body, as well as optimal sleep patterns.
Why Can TMJ Cause Pain Throughout The Body?
TMJ will cause pain throughout the body because of forward head posture.
The most common issue you may correlate with your TMJ is forward head posture. There is no escape from this, everyone with TMJ has forward head posture. With one shoulder/hip higher and more out in front, it causes a postural twist.
With the lower jaw not properly in place, muscle attachments to the jaw are all shortened with improper range of motion. That’s a lot of muscle dysfunction daily into the jaw, neck, back, chest, etc. You cannot breathe fully through your diaphragm, which cuts down your oxygen intake by about 30%.
Your body posture is a series of curves:
- The neck or cervical curve
- The thoracic – lumbar curve
- And the sacral curve.
These curves act as “springs” to absorb shock and in functional (normal) muscle, the disc/vertebrae help support the posture properly.
How TMJ Affects Your Entire Upper Body
Your jaw is connected to more than you realize. The temporomandibular joints are among the most complex in your body, connecting your jawbone to your skull and affecting muscles throughout your head, face, and neck (whole body posture).
- Ear pain and Ringing – Because of the jaw’s proximity to the ear canals, and can cause ear fullness, pain, and even tinnitus.
- Stiff Neck – When your jaw joints aren’t functioning properly, the surrounding muscles work overtime, creating tension that travels down your neck and into your posture.
- Facial Pain – Talking, eating, yawning – actions you never thought twice about can become painful challenges when TMJ disorder strikes. Learn more about what TMJ disorder really is.
- Chest Pain – As muscles become shortened and strained, posture collapses forward, and the rib cage compresses. This creates tension through the thoracic spine and chest cavity, reducing mobility and can cause persistent chest discomfort, especially during stress, physical activity, or long periods of sitting.
- Thoracic Outlet – Can be cured by correcting posture and bite because it creates a functional environment, bringing the head over the spring and decompressing the scalene muscles and first rib, which are responsible for thoracic outlet
Recognizing TMJ Symptoms Beyond Jaw Clicking
Jaw clicking is just the beginning. While that distinctive pop when you open your mouth is well-known, TMJ disorder presents many other symptoms:
- Dull, aching pain around the ear
- Difficulty or pain while chewing
- Facial swelling
- Limited ability to open your mouth
- Jaw locking in open or closed positions
- Neck stiffness and shoulder pain
- Dizziness or imbalance
Pain that travels is a telltale sign. TMJ discomfort rarely stays in one place, often radiating from the jaw into the temples, forehead, neck, shoulders, and down the spine to include hips and knees.
Pain in the Back of Your Head? How TMJ Causes Headaches
If you’re dealing with frequent headaches that don’t seem to respond to typical treatments, your jaw might be the culprit. When your jaw joint isn’t working properly, it creates tight, painful muscles that connect directly to your temples and the back of your head, triggering headaches that can feel just like migraines or tension headaches.
The frustrating part about TMJ headaches is that they keep coming back because you use your jaw constantly throughout the day. Every time you eat, talk, yawn, or even unconsciously clench your teeth, you’re putting stress on those already overworked muscles.
That’s why you might wake up with a headache after grinding your teeth all night, or notice your head pain gets worse as the day goes on. Until you address what’s happening with your jaw, those headaches will likely continue no matter how much headache medication you take.
How TMJ Treatment Can Finally Stop Your Headaches
If you’ve tried everything for your headaches without lasting relief, TMJ treatment might be the answer you’ve been looking for. The journey starts with a free consultation where Dr. Insolera examines your posture, jaw movement, and overall function. Many patients are surprised to learn how their forward head posture and jaw misalignment are directly causing their daily headaches.
After a comprehensive exam that includes detailed scans and muscle assessments, treatment begins with a carefully planned two-phase approach.
- Phase 1 involves wearing custom orthotics for about 8 months. These aren’t just regular night guards – they’re precisely measured devices that you wear 24/7 to train your jaw muscles and correct your bite. As your jaw moves into its proper position, the muscle tension that’s been causing your headaches starts to disappear.
- Phase 2 focuses on creating a permanent solution by establishing proper tooth position without the orthotic. This phase is completely customized to your needs and can take 10-16 months. The goal is to maintain your new, healthy jaw position permanently so your headaches don’t return (without constant orthotic wear).
Why This Approach Works for Headaches
What makes this treatment so effective for headaches is that it tackles the problem at its source. While you wear your orthotic, your overworked jaw muscles finally get a chance to relax and function properly. Your forward head posture gradually improves, taking pressure off your neck and shoulder muscles. Many patients notice their headaches becoming less frequent and less intense within the first few months.
The monthly check-ups and adjustments ensure your progress continues. As your muscles get stronger and your posture improves, the bite changes, so your orthotic gets adjusted accordingly. X-rays confirm that your posture is actually improving, which directly correlates with headache relief.
How Long Does TMJ Treatment Take for Headaches?
The complete treatment process takes about 2 years, which might seem like a long time when you’re dealing with daily headaches. However, this comprehensive approach means you’re not just getting temporary relief – you’re getting a permanent solution. Many patients find that their headaches improve significantly during Phase 1, giving them hope and motivation to complete the full treatment.
Torso & Back Pain Caused By TMJ
TMJ has the ability to interrupt your ideal posture which causes other symptoms throughout the body, including pain in the torso or back.
With forward head posture, the spine develops pressure points and is no longer a spring, creating painful symptoms over time. Once a part of your spine is out of place, the rest curves along with it, trying to maintain balance and support the weight of your head.
With your new patient exam, Dr. Insolera of the TMJ and Sleep Center will be checking your posture for forward head posture and symmetry, and examining approximately 40 muscles for latent trigger points in the head and neck – painful muscle due to TMJ/forward head posture and jaw dysfunction 5000 times/day.
Untreated TMJ Symptoms
TMJ problems manifest with forward head pains that become aggravated over time. If the “40” lb. head position is not attended, the lower back, hips, and knees are affected adversely through time.
This can also lead to balance problems as the patient ages and muscles become weaker through aging, creating a susceptibility to falls. Also seen are aspiration of food/liquid you try to swallow and sleep problems caused by dysfunctional muscles/jaw placement with forward head posture.
What is your quality of life worth to you?
Don’t Let TMJ Control Your Life
Most TMJ sufferers have been dealing with the pain and symptoms for many years. Usually it starts out with one or two symptoms and gets worse as the years go by. The pain and discomfort can affect day to day life in a very negative way. Some people become withdrawn because it hurts to open their mouth. Others have a poor attitude because they never feel good and it is hard to be happy when you are in pain. We hope that people will get support or treatment before it takes over their lives. If the chronic pain lasts longer it can lead to depression because the body becomes overwhelmed with the pain and breaks down causing many more issues in the body.
Depression can cause serious symptoms that need to be treated along with your TMJ treatment. Some people’s depression is based on other things but when it is the result of chronic pain it can go away once your symptoms do.
Breaking the Cycle of Pain
Persistent pain demands attention. If your jaw, face, or neck pain lasts more than a few days, it’s time to consult a TMJ specialist. Relief is possible with proper treatment. Early intervention prevents chronic issues. Like many health conditions, TMJ disorder responds best to treatment when addressed early.
There are a wide variety of treatment options to relieve your TMJ dysfunction symptoms and ultimately heal the joint and replace the dysfunction with consistent, repetitive function. By assessing your symptoms and your lifestyle, the team at TMJ & Sleep Center will decide which treatment plan is best for you. This will include wearing an orthotic that keeps the jaw and muscles in a balanced position while adjusting your posture with physical therapy and alternative exercises to help strengthen the muscles in your neck and back and bring the head over the spine.
Schedule a Consultation with TMJ & Sleep Center
Your quality of life matters. Don’t let TMJ pain limit your ability to eat, speak, laugh, and live comfortably. Professional treatment can restore function and eliminate pain. The first step toward relief is understanding that your symptoms aren’t normal and deserve attention.
Specialized care makes all the difference. TMJ specialists have specific training to correctly diagnose and treat this complex disorder, offering solutions general practitioners might miss.
Contact our specialists or request an appointment. Our team specializes exclusively in TMJ disorders and related conditions, ensuring you receive targeted, effective care.