Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often causing pain, stiffness, clicking, and difficulty moving the jaw. It’s estimated that between 50% and 66% of adults will experience at least one short-lived episode of TMD in their lifetime that resolves on its own. However, approximately 5–12% may go on to have severe or persistent symptoms that require intervention from a healthcare provider. While dentists and medical doctors are often the first point of contact, there’s a growing interest in the research community about the role of chiropractic care in managing TMD.

The temporomandibular joint is formed by the articulation of the temporal bone of the cranium and the mandible, or jawbone, which allows the jaw to open and close, move left and right, and slide forward and backward. It’s a synovial joint with a fibrocartilage disk that separates the joint into two compartments. The muscles of mastication and the hyoid muscles control these motions. The masseter and temporalis help close the jaw, with assistance from the medial pterygoid. The lateral pterygoid supports protrusion. If the movement or function of any of these tissues is altered, the joint can become restricted and painful.

TMD can arise suddenly after trauma, such as whiplash or a direct blow, but it more often develops gradually over time as a result of microtrauma, muscle tension, joint wear, bruxism, repeated clenching, and chronic stress. In these cases, the tissues surrounding the joint send continuous pain signals to the central nervous system, which can sensitize the nervous system and cause pain and stiffness to persist long after the tissues have begun to heal.

A review of guidelines from December 2023 emphasized the value of conservative therapies often provided in chiropractic offices for managing chronic TMD including manipulative, mobilization, and trigger point therapy; supervised exercises; and gentle stretching—all with the aim to improve joint mobility and reduce pain. Hands-on care can also help decrease pain catastrophizing, the tendency to describe pain in exaggerated terms, and reduce kinesiophobia, the fear of movement that can lead to further guarding and stiffness.

In addition to treating the jaw itself, research continues to highlight a connection between TMD and cervical spine dysfunction. Many patients with TMD also have neck pain or restricted neck movement—something doctors of chiropractic have long treated with great success. A May 2023 systematic review of five studies concluded that improving mobility in the cervical spine can decrease jaw pain, sensitivity, and functional limitations. This underscores the need for a holistic approach because dysfunction in one region can contribute to dysfunction in another. Addressing not only the jaw but also the neck and surrounding structures can help produce better, more lasting outcomes for the TMD patient.