Why Will My Jaw Pain Not Go Away?

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Jaw pain can be incredibly frustrating and debilitating. It can afect your ability to eat, speak, and even sleep. But why does it sometimes seem like no matter what you do, the pain just won’t go away? To understand this, we need to take a closer look at the jaw joint, how it can become dysfunctional, and how it relates to the upper cervical spine.

What is the Jaw Joint?

The jaw joint, also known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), connects your jawbone to your skull. This complex joint allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn. TMJ dysfunction (TMJD) occurs when there is a problem with the joint itself, the muscles surrounding it, or the nerves associated with it. This can lead to pain, limited movement, and other symptoms such as clicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw.

Connection to the Upper Cervical Spine:

The structural and neurological relationship between the jaw and the upper cervical spine is crucial for understanding jaw pain. The upper cervical spine, which includes the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, plays a signifcant role in maintaining the alignment and function of the entire spine, including the jaw. Misalignments in this area can afect the nerves that control the muscles of the

jaw, leading to dysfunction and pain. Additionally, poor posture or injuries that afect the upper cervical spine can also contribute to TMJ problems.

The Atlas Specifc Chiropractic Jaw Realignment Protocol:

At Atlas Specifc Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to addressing jaw pain with our specialized Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. Here’s how our

protocol works, supported by studies which show that combining these methods efectively treats TMJ disorders.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustments: The frst stage involves precise adjustments to the upper cervical spine. We start with a CBCT scan to analyse the alignment of your spine and jaw accurately and knee-chest upper cervical adjustments to restore function to the spine. By ensuring that the atlas and axis vertebrae are properly aligned, we create a stable foundation for the rest of the spine and the jaw. Proper alignment helps alleviate pressure on the nerves that can cause jaw dysfunction and pain.

Soft Tissue Work and Exercises: Once the upper cervical alignment is established, we focus on the soft tissues around the jaw. This includes targeted massage and stretches to relax and strengthen the muscles such as the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles. These muscles can become tight and painful, referring pain to the head and neck and contributing to headaches and deep joint pain. We also provide specifc exercises to rehabilitate the muscles and improve jaw function. This stage, lasting another four weeks, involves once weekly sessions to ensure muscle balance and joint stability.

Lifestyle Modifcations: Finally, we address lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your jaw pain. This can include recommendations on posture, ergonomics, stress management, and dietary changes to reduce infammation. By making these adjustments, we help prevent the recurrence of TMJ problems and support long-term jaw health. Over the course of four months, we provide a monthly appointment to guide you in integrating these changes into your daily life and to keep your upper cervical spine and nervous system in check.

Conclusion:

By addressing the underlying causes of jaw pain through a combination of structural alignment, muscle rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes, we aim to provide lasting relief. Studies, such as the one conducted by Chu et al. (2023), show that this multifaceted approach is crucial for efectively treating TMJ disorders. If you’ve been struggling with persistent jaw pain, our Atlas Specifc Chiropractic Jaw Realignment Protocol could be the solution you’ve been searching for. Get back on track with Atlas Specifc and experience the benefts of Upper Cervical Chiropractic care, by contacting us today.

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