Jaw pain: what if it was your spine?
Have you ever felt tight in the jaw in the morning or after a long day at work? Or do you have pain and a clicky sound when you eat or chew?
These are symptoms we hear about every day in our practice
Your jaw doesn’t work in isolation. Like every joint in your body, it is connected, structurally and neurologically to your spine. The jaw attaches to the skull, which sits on top of the spine. The brain sends paired signals to both jaw and neck muscles at the same time, helping keep the head, neck, and jaw stable together.
When the neck isn’t functioning well, the jaw feels it. And the other way around.
What We Commonly See in People with Jaw Pain
- Jaw pain, clicking, or tension (TMJ dysfunction)
- Teeth clenching or grinding, particularly at night
- Headaches originating at the temples or base of the skull
- Neck stiffness alongside jaw discomfort
- Facial tension or pain without a clear dental cause
- Jaw symptoms that worsen under stress
What Is the Link with Your Spine?
Your spine continuously sends information to the brain. The neck, eyes, and postural muscles work together to keep your head in the right position and any dysfunction in the spine can have a direct impact on how the jaw functions. The two systems are more intertwined than most people realise.
A 2018 study measured bite force before and after a chiropractic adjustment session. After a single session, participants were able to bite with over 10% more force and that improvement was still measurable a week later. Restoring spinal function changed how the brain coordinated the muscles of the head and neck.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
By restoring proper spinal function, we help the nervous system coordinate the muscles of the head, neck, and jaw more effectively. This can reduce the tension patterns that drive jaw pain often providing relief that dental treatment alone hasn’t been able to achieve.
At Northcote Chiropractic in Battersea, we take a whole-body approach to jaw pain. We look at the neck, the spine, and the nervous system because that’s where the answers often lie.
Ready to find out more?
Book your first appointment today.
Battersea, London SW11 6RX
Phone: 020 7350 1100
Email: info@northcotechiropractic.co.uk
This content is for educational purposes. If you are experiencing acute pain or injury, please consult a registered healthcare professional. All practitioners at Northcote Chiropractic are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
