Head, Face & Jaw
TMJ Dysfunction
Jaw pain, clicking or restriction, often alongside neck complaints and headaches.
Also called: TMD, Temporomandibular disorder, Jaw pain.
The jaw joint works closely with the upper neck and with the chewing muscles, which are sensitive to stress and clenching habits. TMJ dysfunction can involve pain, clicking, popping, or restricted opening.
Presentations vary from occasional clicking with no pain to significant restriction and discomfort with chewing or talking, and the contributing factors differ from person to person.
Why this matters
Eating, talking, and sleep can all be affected, and because the jaw, neck, and head share related muscles and nerves, headaches often accompany jaw symptoms.
Dental co-management is sometimes appropriate, particularly when clenching, grinding, or bite alignment appear to be part of the picture.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Jaw clenching is strongly linked to the body's stress-response physiology, which is one of the patterns that can be measured as part of a broader nervous system evaluation.
Because the jaw and upper neck share nerve and muscle connections, examining neck joint motion and muscle function alongside the jaw itself is part of a thorough assessment.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Headaches — Headaches have many drivers. Understanding which ones apply to you is the point of the evaluation.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Hand numbness and tingling associated with the median nerve at the wrist.
- Cervical Radiculopathy — Arm symptoms that follow a nerve root pattern from the neck.
- Cervicogenic Headache — Headache arising from structures in the neck.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.