Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) refers to abnormal mechanics of your jaw

  • In normal jaw movement, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) works like a “sliding hinge”, where the “ball” rotates, slides forward and side-to-side within the “socket”, allowing your jaw to open and close

  • In abnormal jaw movement, the TMJ loses this ability to work as a sliding hinge. Instead of remaining within the “socket”, the “ball” may “dislocate” out of the “socket”.

  • This “dislocation” can cause the “ball” to move onto other tissue, leading to pain, clicking, popping, headaches, difficulty chewing, or even locked-jaw.

  • Common causes of TMD include bruxism (grinding teeth), stress, arthritis, and jaw injury

  • Over time, TMD can manifest as jaw pain, as muscles nearby become tight and tender, and the joint itself becomes inflamed with repeated, improper mechanics

What Treatments Can Help My TMD?

Chiropractic Care

  • Relieve TMD-related jaw pain through soft tissue therapy

  • Regain normal range of motion with gentle joint mobilisations

  • Regain normal jaw mechanics with biomechanical retraining

Massage Therapy

  • Assist with your recovery by relieving muscle tension and stiffness through soft tissue work.