That clicking, popping, or aching in your jaw can be more than just annoying—it can affect your whole day. If you deal with the common symptoms of TMJ disorder, like jaw pain, headaches, or trouble chewing, you understand how frustrating this is. The good news is you don’t have to live with the discomfort.
A personalized treatment plan that may include physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy can help manage TMJ pain and restore proper jaw function. There are effective, evidence-based treatments right here in Calgary to help you find relief and get back to your life.
What Is TMJ Pain & What Are the Signs?
Your temporomandibular joint—or TMJ—is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. When it gets irritated or isn’t working right, this joint can develop a condition known as a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This discomfort is often linked to stress, teeth grinding, an injury, or even poor posture.
The causes are not always clear, but they often involve a combination of factors. Stress can cause you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth, putting pressure on the joint. An injury to your jaw, arthritis, or even your bite alignment can also contribute to discomfort.
Common Signs of TMJ Issues
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw, face, neck, or shoulders
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth
- Trouble chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite
- Headaches or earaches
- Your jaw gets “stuck” or “locked” in an open or closed position
How Physiotherapy in Calgary Can Ease Your Jaw Pain
Physiotherapy focuses on your body’s movement system—your muscles, joints, and ligaments. A physiotherapist can assess how your jaw moves and identify what’s causing the pain. Their goal is to help restore normal function and reduce discomfort through targeted techniques.
Manual Therapy for Your Jaw
A physiotherapist can use hands-on techniques to gently mobilize the jaw joint and release tight muscles that pull it out of alignment. This hands-on approach can help improve your range of motion and allows for more comfortable and functional jaw movement.
Custom Exercises for Strength & Mobility
You’ll learn specific, gentle exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles and improve their coordination. These exercises help support the joint and can provide long-term relief. Performing them as instructed is a key part of your recovery.
Posture Correction Advice
Sometimes, the way you hold your head and neck affects your jaw. Our physiotherapists in Calgary can give you practical advice to improve your posture at work and home. This can take a lot of strain off your TMJ.
Education for Self-Management
A key part of physiotherapy is learning how to manage your symptoms at home. Your physiotherapist can teach you which habits to avoid, like chewing gum or biting your nails. They also provide strategies to use when you feel pain flare up.
Chiropractic Care for TMJ in Calgary
A chiropractor focuses on the health of your spine and nervous system. Since the nerves in your neck and upper back are closely connected to your jaw, misalignment in this area can be a source of TMJ pain. This is especially true after an accident.
Focus on Neck & Spine Alignment
A chiropractor will assess your spine—especially your neck—to find areas that aren’t moving correctly. Proper alignment is important for reducing tension that travels up to your jaw. This creates a better foundation for healing.
Adjustments to Reduce Nerve Pressure
Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper motion in the spine. This may relieve pressure on the nerves that influence jaw function and pain, much like how a chiropractor can help with a pinched nerve elsewhere in the body. It’s one way to help your body’s natural healing processes.
A Holistic Part of Your Plan
Chiropractic care works well alongside other treatments like physiotherapy and massage. By addressing spinal alignment, a chiropractor helps create a stable foundation for your body. This allows other therapies targeting muscles and movement to be more effective.
The Role of Massage in Calgary for TMJ Relief
Tight muscles are a common cause of TMJ pain. Massage therapy is a great way to directly address this tension, not just in your jaw, but also in surrounding areas that contribute to the problem.
Release Tight Jaw Muscles
A registered massage therapist can work on the muscles you use for chewing. This may include working on the outside of your jaw and sometimes carefully on the inside of your mouth. This can provide direct relief to the source of the pain.
Ease Neck & Shoulder Tension
Pain often isn’t isolated. Massage treatments can also focus on your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Releasing the overall tension in these areas, including key muscles that contribute to neck pain, can help reduce the strain that makes TMJ pain worse.
Reduce Stress & Tension
Since stress is a major trigger for jaw clenching, massage therapy can offer powerful relief. A relaxing massage session can help lower overall stress levels. This not only feels good, but also helps break the cycle of tension that contributes to TMJ pain.
TMJ, Accidents & Concussion Recovery
Jaw pain often appears after a car accident or a head injury. A sudden jolt can cause whiplash, which directly impacts the delicate structures of your neck and jaw. A concussion can also lead to symptoms like headaches and neck stiffness that overlap with TMJ issues.
Why Accidents Often Cause Jaw Problems
The force from an accident can strain the muscles and ligaments around your TMJ, throwing it out of alignment. If you’ve had an injury, getting your jaw checked is an important part of a full recovery. Addressing problems early can help prevent long-term issues.
A Team Approach for Your Recovery
For complex issues like post-accident pain or concussion recovery, our teams work together. Your physiotherapist can help with jaw mobility, while your chiropractor addresses spinal alignment from the impact. A massage therapist can then ease the resulting muscle tension, addressing your recovery from every angle.
You don’t need to figure this out alone. The first step toward relief is a proper assessment to understand the root cause of your jaw pain. At Running Shoe Restorative Healthcare, we can help create a holistic treatment plan for you.
Ready to take control of your jaw pain? Contact us to book a consultation and discover how our team can help you move toward a life with less discomfort.
