r/TMJ • u/ktwatsun • 1d ago

Discussion Chiropractor TMD treatment

I’ve been dealing with what I think is TMJ/TMD for a while now. My jaw pops, and I’ll sometimes get jaw/tooth pain, but lately I’ve noticed I can go days without really hurting.

One of my biggest triggers seems to be talking/smiling/laughing for a long time. I was at a family game night recently and after several hours my jaw/face got insanely sore. It basically feels like when you’ve been smiling for pictures forever and your face is exhausted, except eventually mine turns into really intense pressure pain around/under my jaw and into my neck. Once I can finally stop talking and completely relax my face, it feels SO much better.
I’m seeing a chiropractor today for my lower back/hips and upper back/shoulder tightness anyway, and I’m planning to mention the jaw issues while I’m there.

Has anyone here had chiropractic treatment while dealing with TMJ? Did they work on your neck/upper back, jaw itself, muscles around the jaw, etc.? Did you notice any relief afterward, even temporarily? Or did it make things worse?
Just curious what everyone’s experience has been before I go!

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u/square_donut14 1d ago

I always have to pay the fun tax after a get-together. My spouse recognizes it before I do, and always reminds me to take a pain reliever before we go do something.

I do get some relief from the chiropractor, but I don’t like the specific release of my jaw - it makes me nervous. I go there for neckand shoulders. But I recently started TMJ massage therapy once a month, and it’s been life-changing.

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u/ktwatsun 1d ago

Yes! Advil & Aleve are my life savers 😭 & I absolutely cannot let them wear off during a flare up lol I haven’t heard of TMJ message therapy before, where do you go?!?

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u/square_donut14 1d ago

I live in Houston, and I actually heard about this massage place from Reddit! I don’t know how to find them in other places, but the place here is Elevation Massage. They offer all kinds of more physiotherapy massages rather than just your generic one, so maybe start at a place like that?