If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you may be suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ Disorder or TMD).
Although many people believe TMJ disorder is caused only by problems within the jaw joint itself, the condition is often influenced by neck dysfunction, poor posture, muscle tension, teeth grinding (bruxism), or jaw clenching.
This case report describes a patient whose symptoms persisted despite wearing a night guard prescribed by her dentist.
A woman in her 40s from the Kannai area of Yokohama visited Spine Chiropractic complaining of persistent pain in her left jaw that had been present for approximately three months.
She worked full-time in an office and spent most of her day at a computer. She also experienced chronic neck stiffness and shoulder tension, and had previously been told that she frequently clenched her teeth while concentrating at work.
Initially, she noticed only mild discomfort around the left jaw when waking up in the morning.
Over time, however, her symptoms gradually worsened.
She began experiencing:
Eventually, even yawning became painful.
She visited her dentist and was diagnosed with TMJ Disorder.
A custom night guard was fabricated, and she wore it consistently for nearly two months.
Unfortunately, her symptoms showed little improvement.
She told us,
“My dentist said my teeth were healthy, but my jaw still hurt every day. A friend recommended Spine Chiropractic after her neck pain improved here.”
Because TMJ symptoms frequently involve multiple regions of the body, we performed a comprehensive musculoskeletal examination rather than focusing only on the jaw.
[Initial Symptoms]
Interview:
Pain was localized around the left temporomandibular joint.
Symptoms became worse during:
Morning stiffness was consistently more severe than symptoms later in the day.
Visual Inspection:
During mouth opening, the mandible deviated toward the left side.
Forward head posture was evident, accompanied by elevated left shoulder positioning.
Static Palpation:
Significant muscle tightness was identified in the:
Hypertonicity was also present throughout the upper cervical musculature.
Motion Palpation:
Maximum mouth opening measured approximately 31 mm, indicating restricted jaw mobility.
Pain occurred at the end range of opening.
Joint dysfunction (chiropractic-assessed subluxation) was identified at the upper cervical spine, particularly C1/C2, C2/C3, and C4/C5.
Reduced mobility was also noted throughout the upper thoracic spine.
Orthopedic Tests:
TMJ Compression Test: Positive
TMJ Distraction Test: Mildly Positive
Neurological examination was otherwise normal.
[Initial Treatment Plan]
This patient’s symptoms were not caused solely by the temporomandibular joint itself.
Our assessment suggested that dysfunction involving the cervical spine, upper thoracic spine, posture, and excessive muscle tension were contributing significantly to the mechanical stress placed on the TMJ.
Treatment began with interferential current therapy to reduce muscular hypertonicity involving the jaw muscles and cervical region.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization was then performed to improve tissue mobility throughout the masseter, temporalis, sternocleidomastoid, and upper cervical musculature.
Following reassessment, chiropractic adjustments were applied to the cervical spine and upper thoracic spine to restore joint mobility and improve overall biomechanics.
Finally, the patient received individualized home exercises including:
[Prognosis]
Immediately after treatment, the patient noticed improved mouth opening and less discomfort.
She commented,
“I haven’t been able to open my mouth this comfortably in months.”
One week later, jaw pain while eating had improved by approximately 70%.
Morning stiffness was greatly reduced.
Although mild clicking remained, treatment continued to address cervical spine mobility and muscle balance.
Jaw pain had completely resolved during eating and yawning.
Maximum mouth opening returned to normal.
The clicking became minimal and no longer interfered with daily activities.
To reduce the risk of recurrence, monthly maintenance care and continued home exercises were recommended.
The patient concluded,
“I wish I had come much sooner.”
[Practitioner’s Opinion]
TMJ Disorder is rarely caused by the jaw joint alone.
Many patients develop jaw pain because of:
In this case, restricted cervical spine mobility and muscular imbalance significantly increased stress on the temporomandibular joint.
Rather than treating only the painful jaw, we evaluated the entire kinetic chain to identify the underlying mechanical contributors.
This whole-body approach often provides better long-term outcomes and may reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Some mild cases improve spontaneously. However, persistent symptoms often involve muscular tension, cervical dysfunction, or postural problems that may require professional assessment.
Night guards help protect the teeth from grinding, but they may not address neck dysfunction, muscle imbalance, or joint mobility restrictions contributing to TMJ pain.
Yes. The jaw and upper cervical spine share close biomechanical and neurological relationships. Dysfunction in the neck may contribute to jaw pain and restricted mouth opening.
Clicking without pain is not always serious, but persistent clicking combined with pain or restricted movement should be evaluated.
At Spine Chiropractic, we provide evidence-informed chiropractic care for patients experiencing:
Our clinic is conveniently located in central Yokohama, just 1 minute from Bashamichi Station, 7 minutes from JR Kannai Station, 8 minutes from Nihon-Odori Station, and 12 minutes from JR Sakuragicho Station.
We specialize in caring for both Japanese and international patients, and all chiropractic consultations are available in English.
If you’re looking for an English-speaking chiropractor in Yokohama for TMJ disorder, jaw pain, clicking jaw, or difficulty opening your mouth, we would be happy to help.
This case report has been anonymized to protect patient privacy. Individual treatment outcomes may vary.
At Spine Chiropractic, I provide evidence-based treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including acute back pain, neck pain, and thoracic strain, that directly impact daily life. This is not simply a relaxation service, but focused chiropractic care aimed at restoring function and reducing pain.
Spine Chiropractic is conveniently located in central Yokohama, just a one-minute walk from Bashamichi Station, eight minutes from Nihon-Odori Station, seven minutes from JR Kannai Station, and 12 minutes from JR Sakuragicho Station. The clinic is easily accessible for residents, office workers, and international patients seeking an English-speaking chiropractor in Yokohama.
If you are experiencing acute low back pain, neck stiffness, joint pain, or are looking for postpartum pelvic alignment care, please feel free to visit Spine Chiropractic. I am dedicated to delivering professional, patient-centered chiropractic care with integrity and clinical expertise.