Help for TMJ Dysfunction (TMJD) in Guilford & Hamden
When people say they have TMJ, they’re really referring to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). This condition affects the joint that connects your jaw to your skull and can lead to jaw pain, clicking or popping, headaches, facial tension, ear discomfort, and difficulty chewing or opening and closing your mouth comfortably.
Because the jaw is closely connected to the neck, head, and nervous system, TMJD rarely exists in isolation. Tension or misalignment in the spine, posture changes, stress, pregnancy, or past injuries can all influence how the jaw moves and functions.
Our Approach to TMJD Care
Dr. Victoria has extensive training in both intraoral and external TMJ techniques, allowing her to work directly with the tissues and structures that influence jaw movement and alignment. Dr. Adrienne also provides intraoral TMJ work, and Dr. Spencer can support care with gentle external jaw adjustments.
This collaborative approach allows TMJD care to be tailored to your specific needs, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.
Specialized Intraoral Care
What sets our TMJD approach apart is specialized intraoral work. This involves gentle techniques performed inside and around the mouth to release tension in the muscles involved in jaw motion.
By addressing these deeper structures, care focuses not just on the joint itself, but on the surrounding muscles and tissues that often contribute to discomfort, clicking, or restricted movement.
For infants and children, TMJ issues can stem from birth-related tension, feeding challenges, or developmental changes. In some cases, restricted oral tissues such as tethered oral tissues (TOTS), including tongue, lip, or buccal ties, may contribute to jaw tension, limited movement, or compensation patterns in infants and children. Intraoral assessment allows these contributing factors to be identified and considered as part of a broader TMJD care approach.
Gentle TMJD care may help support more comfortable jaw function, improved feeding, and better sleeping patterns without the need for invasive interventions.
Adults benefit as well. Whether jaw discomfort is linked to clenching, grinding, stress, posture, dental history, or oral tension patterns, TMJD care may help improve comfort, mobility, and ease of movement. Many patients notice improvement in just a few visits, and if symptoms return later, a simple tune-up may be all that’s needed.
Find Relief From Jaw Discomfort
If you’re experiencing jaw pain, clicking, headaches, or tension that hasn’t resolved on its own, TMJD care may be worth exploring. Contact Back to Balance Chiropractic & Family Wellness today to book an appointment or learn more.
