Stand Up Straight to Ease TMJ

Whether you never outgrew your teenage slouch or you inadvertently push your head forward while staring at a computer all day, you’re putting strain on your body, the kind of strain that results in chronic pain. When your head isn’t properly aligned with yours shoulders, the surrounding muscles have to work harder to keep your head erect. Therefore, the muscles responsible for the movement and articulation of the TMJ joint are forced into the unwelcome role of supporting your head. They go into lockdown and the jaw loses its ability to move freely, resulting in pain and stiffness.

A quick test: Stand against a wall where your heels and hips touch the wall. Does your head naturally and easily touch the wall, too? If not, you might need to work on your posture. Remember to push your shoulders back and holding your head up high. Just like Mom taught you. You might find your jaw starts to feel better once your head is back in line.

Stay tuned to the TMJ Massage blog for future tips and techniques to improve your TMJ symptoms.