You’ve never experienced trauma to the jaw and you don’t grind or clench your teeth. Why, then, do you have persistent jaw pain, jaw popping or clicking, and other symptoms in line with TMJ disorder? According to some sources, the problem could be your posture. Some experts believe there is a link between bad posture and problems with the temporomandibular joint.
Here, Dr. Ivan Stein and the team at the Headache & TMJ Center of New Jersey explain the correlation.
Poor Posture Throws Off Alignment
For your body to function optimally, your bones, muscles and joints should be properly aligned. Regularly hunching forward over a desk or slumping in a chair throws the spine out of its proper alignment. The body eventually adapts and defaults to the improper position. When the spine is misaligned, it has a domino effect. It can cause the jaw to protrude forward and throw off the bite. An improper bite causes problems with the temporomandibular joint, and symptoms like headaches and jaw popping or clicking start occurring.
Correcting Bad Posture
It’s difficult to correct deep-seeded problems with posture, but it is possible. When standing, keep your shoulders back and your chest forward. Focus on lengthening the spine. Avoid jutting your chin forward. When sitting, keep your body in a position similar to your standing position (with shoulders back and chest forward). Pay attention to the way you distribute your weight evenly on both hips. Keep your knees at or above hip level, and use a footstool to elevate them, if necessary. Physical therapy, yoga and Pilates are helpful in correcting bad posture. They can release muscle tension and retrain the spine to assume the proper alignment.
With better posture, the next step is to reposition the jaw and correct the bite. The team at the Headache & TMJ Center of New Jersey can use orthotic therapy or another solution to hold your jaw in the proper position.
Contact Our TMJ Team Today
If you are suffering from the unpleasant symptoms of TMJ disorder, contact our practice to schedule a personal consultation with our team. During consultation, we will perform a physical examination of your jaw position and bite alignment. We will discuss your symptoms with you and inquire about your lifestyle, habits and medical history. With this information, we will develop a plan of treatment suited specifically to your needs.
To make an appointment, please call (855) TMJ-DOCS or (855) 865-3627 today.