If your jaw clicks when you chew, aches by late afternoon, and brings headaches at the temples, the problem may not stop at the jaw. The joint that hinges your lower jaw and the top of your neck share nerves and muscles, so trouble in one often shows up in the other. Below is how that connection works, which symptoms need a closer look, and five chiropractic offices near Draper to consider, starting with Draper Spinal Care.
What is TMJ, and what does a TMJ disorder feel like?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge just in front of each ear that connects your lower jaw to your skull. A problem with that joint or the chewing muscles around it is called a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) estimates TMDs affect 5 to 12 percent of people, and they are reported more often in women than men.
Common signs include:
- Aching in the jaw, cheek, or in front of the ear, often worse after chewing
- Clicking or popping as the mouth opens
- Headaches at the temples
- Trouble opening wide (most adults open about 40 to 50 millimeters, roughly three fingers stacked)
Is jaw clicking a problem if it doesn’t hurt?
Clicking on its own usually doesn’t need treatment. Plenty of people have a painless click for years that never gets worse. It is worth getting checked when the click comes with pain, when the jaw catches or locks, or when your opening gets smaller over time.
How is the upper neck connected to jaw pain and headaches?
The jaw and upper neck send pain signals to the same hub in the brainstem, called the trigeminocervical nucleus. Nerves from the face and jaw meet nerves from the top three neck segments (C1 to C3) there, so the brain can misread where pain starts. That is why tightness at the base of the skull can feel like a jaw ache or a headache behind the eye. Headache that originates in the neck is called cervicogenic headache, a type recognized in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3).
Posture adds to it. When your head drifts forward over a laptop or phone, the muscles under the jaw and at the back of the neck change length, which can shift where the jaw rests and how hard the chewing muscles work. Studies of TMD patients regularly find neck pain alongside jaw symptoms.
When should you see a dentist or doctor first?
Get prompt care if your jaw locks open or closed, you can’t eat normally, there is swelling, or pain began after an injury. Jaw pain with chest pressure or shortness of breath needs emergency care, since it can signal a heart problem. Dentists often use the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD), a standardized exam, to find the cause. The NIDCR advises starting with reversible steps such as softer foods, skipping gum, and heat or ice.
Which chiropractic offices near Draper can you contact?
These five practices are within a short drive of Draper:
- Draper Spinal Care
- Goodwin Chiropractic and Massage
- Awaken Health Chiropractic
- Canyon View Chiropractic
- Iron Mountain Chiropractic
For jaw symptoms, chiropractic care works best as one part of a plan that also includes your dentist.
1. Draper Spinal Care
Draper Spinal Care is led by Dr. Joshua Stockwell, D.C., and focuses on NUCCA upper cervical care. NUCCA corrections address the alignment of the top two neck bones, the atlas and axis, using light, precise pressure with no twisting or cracking. That region sits next to the nerves tied to jaw and head pain, which makes this approach a reasonable fit for people whose jaw trouble comes with neck tension or recurring headaches.
Services that apply here include:
- A detailed assessment of upper neck alignment and posture
- Gentle adjustments for neck pain, headaches, and migraines
- Care that complements recommendations from your dentist or primary care doctor
Chiropractic care does not replace a dental evaluation for TMD, and results vary from person to person. New patients can start with a complimentary consultation.
2. Goodwin Chiropractic and Massage
Goodwin Chiropractic and Massage is a Draper office offering chiropractic care and massage.
3. Awaken Health Chiropractic
Awaken Health Chiropractic is a chiropractic practice on State Street in Sandy, just north of Draper.
4. Canyon View Chiropractic
Canyon View Chiropractic is a chiropractic office in Cottonwood Heights.
5. Iron Mountain Chiropractic
Iron Mountain Chiropractic is located in Herriman, on the west side of the valley.
What can you do about jaw and neck tension starting today?
Start by noticing when you clench, often while driving or working at a screen. At rest your teeth should be slightly apart with your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Raise your monitor to eye level so your head is not pushed forward. Keep a two-week log of jaw pain and headaches to bring to your appointment. If a painless click turns painful or headaches keep coming back, book an evaluation that looks at both the jaw and the upper neck.
