Every bite, yawn, or conversation shouldn’t come with discomfort. If you’re experiencing jaw pain, clicking, locking, headaches, or even earaches, you might be dealing with TMJ dysfunction. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most used yet overlooked joints in the body and when it’s not working properly, it can cause chronic pain, tension, and limited movement. The good news? There are effective, non-surgical treatments to help you find relief.
TMJ dysfunction doesn’t have to control your life. At Hughes Health, we specialize in chiropractic, soft tissue therapies, and non-invasive treatments to realign the jaw, relieve muscle tension, and restore pain-free movement. Don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen. Schedule a consultation today with one of our expert sports medicine physicians at Hughes Health and take your first step toward relief!
About TMJ Dysfunction
& Anatomy That Contributes
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where your jawbone (mandible) connects to the skull (temporal bone), just in front of the ears. This joint allows you to chew, speak, and move your jaw smoothly. It relies on cartilage, muscles, and a small cushioning disc to function properly. However, when the TMJ becomes misaligned, inflamed, or overworked, it can lead to pain and restricted movement—this is called TMJ dysfunction (TMJD).
The neck and spine play a crucial role in TMJ function. Poor posture, muscle imbalances, or spinal misalignments in the cervical spine (neck) can put extra stress on the TMJ, leading to jaw tension, headaches, and even radiating pain down the neck and shoulders.
Common Causes of TMJ Dysfunction
Understanding Why It Happens
TMJ dysfunction can develop for various reasons, including:
• Teeth Grinding & Clenching (Bruxism) – Excessive jaw tension fatigues and inflames the TMJ.
• Poor Posture & Neck Misalignment – Forward head posture and spinal imbalances put strain on the jaw.
• Jaw Trauma or Injury – A hit to the face, whiplash, or dental work can disrupt TMJ function.
• Stress & Muscle Tension – Chronic stress often leads to unconscious jaw tightening and clenching.
• Arthritis & Joint Degeneration – Over time, the TMJ can experience wear and tear, leading to pain and inflammation.
Common Conditions Related to TMJ Dysfunction
TMJ dysfunction doesn’t just affect your jaw—it can contribute to several other health issues, including:
Chronic Headaches & Migraines – TMJ tension can trigger headaches and facial pain.
Ear Pain & Ringing (Tinnitus) – The TMJ is closely connected to the ear, leading to discomfort and noise sensitivity.
Neck & Shoulder Pain – Misalignment and tension in the jaw can cause compensatory strain in the upper body.
Difficulty Chewing & Jaw Locking – The TMJ may lock, making eating and speaking difficult.
Dizziness & Vertigo – TMJ dysfunction can affect balance due to its connection to the inner ear.
Treatments for TMJ Dysfunction
Find Relief Once & For All For Your TMJ Pain in Westerville, OH
Before we are able to treat your TMJ and jaw pain at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your neck or back pain is affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.
In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using orthopedic and functional movement testing, typically used at the elite and professional athletic level. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why and help you understand. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free without unnecessary medications or surgery.
Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out
Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:
Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation with no discomfort
Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Adjustments
At Hughes Health, we believe true recovery goes beyond spinal adjustments and manipulation. While we are chiropractors, we don’t just focus on your joints. We take a whole-body approach through Sports Rehabilitation to target the muscles and tissues that support you and your joints. Your body is more than just bones and joints, and your care should reflect that too. By addressing movement, strength, and stability, we help you heal faster, stay active, and prevent future injuries so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations.
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep
At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.
Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.
Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury
Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs isn't limited to the neck down, but can help with the muscles of the jaw and face to help you:
Improve mobility and reduce overworked muscles causing locking and clenching of the jaw
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain and jaw clicking
Get back talking, eating, and using your mouth with confidence
The Right Care, Every Time: Adaptable for You
At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in non-invasive, non-surgical sports medicine and movement dysfunctions, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, dentists and oral specialists, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time! The right plan for the best results is a click away.
Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!
Why Choose
Hughes Health?
We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.