TMJ & Jaw Pain
Jaw pain, headaches, or tension that just won’t go away are often signs of TMJ dysfunction. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most active joints in the body, used every time you talk, chew, or yawn. When this joint or the surrounding muscles are tight, stressed, or misaligned, it can lead to ongoing discomfort that affects your daily life.
At Feath & Elemi in Medicine Hat, our practitioners specialize in gentle, highly effective therapies for TMJ dysfunction. By addressing both the joint and the nervous system, we help reduce pain, ease muscle tension, and restore balance so you can get back to living with more comfort and ease.
Your jaw joint, called the TMJ (temporomandibular joint), does more than just help you chew and talk. When it’s out of balance, it can affect the whole body—your neck, spine, pelvis, posture, and even your hormones. Because the TMJ is small and delicate, it needs gentle care to stay healthy.
If there’s too much pressure on the tissues around the joint, you may notice pain, clicking, or even your jaw getting “stuck.” Over time, this can shift the joint out of place. The good news is that by releasing tension, gently realigning the jaw, and calming the nervous system, these issues can often be improved. Bowen or Craniosacral Therapy, along with simple strengthening exercises, can help keep your jaw stable for the long run.
The TMJ is closely connected with other key systems in your body:
Cranial balance and alignment: The TMJ sits right next to the sphenoid bone, which touches almost every other bone in the skull. When the jaw is tight or misaligned, it can shift the sphenoid bone and create a ripple effect through the head. This imbalance can cause strain across the cranial bones and travel down the spine, often showing up as headaches, pressure, or body tension.
Nervous system impact: The TMJ and sphenoid are also closely linked to the nervous system. The sphenoid houses the pituitary gland and is crossed by several cranial nerves. If jaw misalignment pulls the sphenoid out of balance, it can put pressure on these delicate structures. This may cause symptoms like facial tension, jaw pain, ear fullness, or even vision changes.
Posture and pelvic alignment: The position of the head affects the spine and pelvis. When the TMJ and sphenoid are out of balance, posture can shift, leading to discomfort in the neck, back, or hips. Over time, this can contribute to tension and misalignment throughout the lower body.
Hormonal connections: Because the TMJ connects to the sphenoid bone through muscles and ligaments, and the pituitary gland rests on the sphenoid, jaw tension can sometimes influence hormone balance. This is one of the ways TMJ health can affect overall wellbeing.
That’s why gentle treatment is so important. Forceful adjustments can make things worse and put the joint’s cushioning disc at risk. While the disc itself isn’t usually painful, the sensitive tissue around it can become irritated if strained. This may lead to clicking, locking, or changes in the disc’s shape over time.
Caring for your TMJ with the right treatment can protect not only your jaw, but also your posture, nervous system, and whole-body health.
This treatment is available with Kristen Banks, Holly Oakes, or Kirsten Menk. All have advanced training in TMJ and cranial work, and they specialize in helping patients with jaw pain, headaches, and postural imbalances.