TMJ and Jaw Pain Care in Pembroke Pines
The temporomandibular joint works hard all day — chewing, talking, and for many people clenching through stress or sleep. When it becomes irritated, the pain rarely stays in the jaw.
Because the jaw and the upper neck share nerve pathways, jaw pain and neck tension frequently travel together. We assess both rather than treating one in isolation.
Common signs
- Clicking, popping or catching when opening the mouth
- Aching in front of the ear, the cheek or the temple
- Jaw fatigue while eating tougher foods
- Headaches through the temples and a stiff upper neck
- Waking with a tight jaw or evidence of night clenching
What we look at
- Joint mechanics and how evenly the jaw opens and tracks
- Overactive chewing and neck muscles
- Upper cervical joint restriction referring into the face
- Clenching or grinding habits, and dental factors worth co-managing
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. An exam is how we determine what applies to you.
How we approach TMJ pain
- 1
Examine jaw and neck together
We measure opening, track deviation and test the upper cervical spine, since neck findings often drive the jaw symptoms.
- 2
Release and mobilize
Targeted soft tissue therapy to the chewing muscles and gentle joint work reduce tension and improve how the jaw moves.
- 3
Change the daily load
You get jaw posture, breathing and habit strategies to reduce clenching, along with neck work if that is part of the picture.
Questions we get asked
- Should I see a dentist too?
- Often yes. Bite issues, grinding and appliance decisions belong with your dentist, and the two approaches work well together. We refer when it is warranted.
- Do you adjust the jaw itself?
- Care is chosen from your exam and usually combines gentle jaw mobilization, muscle work and treatment of the upper neck. Nothing forceful is done to the joint.
- Can TMJ cause headaches?
- Jaw and chewing muscle tension is a recognized contributor to headaches through the temples and side of the head, which is why we screen for both.
Related concerns
- Headaches & MigrainesHead pain linked to the neck, jaw, posture and muscle tension.Read about headaches & migraines
- Neck PainTension, limited turning and posture-related strain through the neck and upper back.Read about neck pain
- WhiplashNeck injury from rapid back-and-forth motion, most often after a collision.Read about whiplash
Treating tmj & jaw pain in Pembroke Pines
We're at 12191 Taft Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026. Tell us what's going on and when you're reachable, and our team will call you back to set up an exam.