Jaw and TMJ Pain

Jaw and TMJ pain can be life altering and cause lock jaw if left untreated. Fortunately, TMJD is one of the most popular problems we at Elite Upper Cervical help people with. 

There’s the brain, then there’s the jaw, and the door between the two is the atlas vertebrae.

Now, when the Atlas misaligns, the muscles that control the jaw will go into spasm. And, it will usually be one-sided. Either the right side or the left. This is also why people with TMJD are constantly clenching. 

Now, if the neck and jaw muscles are constantly tight in spasm, will the jaw heal and function properly? No!

Eventually you will start to notice jaw pain, clicking and popping on one side. This is the disc moving in and out of alignment. 

Now, if you neglect this for too long, the disc will become very displaced, that your jaw will lock, which we call “lock jaw”. Meaning, you won’t be able to open your mouth. 

The pain, clicking and popping are a sign that something is wrong.

Unfortunately, though, most doctors want to hit the snooze button and throw out the bodies internal fire alarm by prescribing medication. Which is not a long term solution. 

Why? Because it’s not possible to fix a structural problem, with a chemical solution. It’s important to get to the root of what’s causing the jaw pain, securing that structural solution! And that is where we specialize. 

As a NUCCA upper cervical chiropractic clinic, the first thing we do is take specific x-rays of the atlas vertebrae to see if it’s misaligned. 

We have advanced software that allows Dr. Burt to measure the atlas down to 1/100th of a degree, which is critical when it’s time to realign it. The upper cervical x-rays are the most important thing we can do for you as a NUCCA doctor. 

When doctors work on the upper neck without taking x-rays, they risk making someone worse.

After the exact position of the atlas has been measured, then Dr. Burt will be able to correct it. 

The realignment is so gentle that anyone would feel comfortable with the amount of pressure we use. Gentle slow pressure is all, right below the ear lobe, which is where the atlas is located. 

There is no twisting, popping or cracking of the neck with the NUCCA realignment. 

Afterward, we will then have to retrain the neck muscles for a few months, realigning the atlas as needed.

If you are curious to see if your atlas is misaligned, causing your jaw pain, make sure to schedule your NUCCA assessment below, as soon as possible, to see if you’re a good fit for treatment.