TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders occur in millions of people (nearly 13 million), causing pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck, and head. If you get frequent headaches, jaw clicking, or pain in the face, you may already be familiar with how such symptoms affect your lifestyle. But do you know that one of the primary causes of these conditions is poor posture? We will learn, in this blog, how bad posture can negatively affect your TMJ health and how you can make it better.

Understanding TMJ and TMD

TMJ is the joint that holds your jaw on your skull, and TMD (temporomandibular disorder) is the conditions that cause pain or dysfunction in that area. If you have TMD, you may experience pain when chewing, difficulty opening your mouth, or clicking of the jaw. The posture of the neck and shoulders can cause or aggravate these issues.

Your posture has an impact on how the muscles of your neck, jaw, and shoulders interact with each other. Poor posture over time can result in muscle tension, misalignment, and even joint dysfunction. Poor posture can cause your jaw and facial muscles to work overtime, resulting in more strain and discomfort if your posture is off.

The Connection Between Posture and TMJ

Your body relies on proper alignment for all its systems to function effectively. Poor posture, whether at a desk job all day, slouching, or tilting your head forward, can upset the balance of your muscles and joints. Poor posture can stress your TMJ and the surrounding muscles to the point of pain and discomfort.

These are some ways poor posture affects your TMJ health:

1. Forward Head Posture

Each time your head extends, your body compensates for it by tilting the shoulders and neck so that strain on the TMJ muscles is increased. This extra stress can strain the jaw joint and contribute to TMD.

2. Rounded Shoulders

Bad posture results in hunched shoulders, which can lead to tension and tightness around your neck and jaw. After a while, this tightness can be transferred to your TMJ, resulting in pain in your jaw while chewing food or speaking.

3. Neck Tension

Neck and upper back tension can affect your TMJ directly. Since the neck, shoulder, and jaw muscles all link together, when one of these areas tenses or becomes misaligned, the others will tend to do so as well, developing a cascade effect that will affect your TMJ health.

Symptoms: Poor Posture Is Causing Your TMJ Health

Poor posture could be the cause of your TMJ issues if you have any of the following:

• Jaw tenderness or pain upon chewing
• Frequent headache or migraine
• Pop or click of the jaw
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Shoulder or neck pain or tension
• Grinding or clenching teeth, typically at night

How To Improve Posture and TMJ Health

The good news is that there are actions you can take to improve your posture and TMJ health. What follows are some tips that should prove useful:

1. Use Proper Posture

Start by sitting up straight when you are at work during the day. When you are sitting, have your shoulders relaxed and your ears in line with your shoulders. Do not lean forward or slouch, especially if you work a lot at a computer.

2. Firm Up Neck and Shoulder Muscles

Routine exercises that include the muscles of the shoulders and neck will enhance your posture and decrease TMJ strain. Attempt shoulder shrugs, chin tucks, and neck stretches to firm up and line up the muscles.

3. Break and Move

If you do a lot of sitting, break up sitting time with standing, stretching, and walking breaks. This reduces tension in your shoulders and neck and eliminates TMJ issues from postural stress.

4. Be Careful About Your Sleeping Position

When you sleep at night, do not sleep on your stomach because it can cause strain on your jaw and neck. Rather, sleep on your side or your back to ensure spine and TMJ alignment.

If poor posture has already led to TMJ issues, you may be in need of professional treatment. Dr. Chennupati at Dr. C Advanced Dental Care & Implant Center offers reliable treatment for TMD & TMJ in Richmond, including physical therapy, custom mouthguards, and other types of therapy that are designed to relieve pain and improve function. Early treatment can avoid permanent damage to your TMJ and improve your quality of life.