TMJ & Jaw Pain Relief in Sanford, FL: How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Jaw pain and tension can affect far more than your bite. Many people experience tightness, headaches, ear pressure, or neck discomfort without realizing it could be related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

At Journey Spinal Care in Sanford, FL, we often see patients who’ve been living with chronic jaw tension, teeth grinding, or postural strain — sometimes for years. While chiropractors don’t diagnose TMJ disorders, we do specialize in identifying and treating the muscle tension, joint dysfunction, and pain patterns often associated with TMJ-related symptoms.

Chiropractic care, combined with targeted bodywork, offers a gentle and effective way to relieve TMJ pain, improve mobility, and calm overworked muscles.

What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?

The TMJ is one of the most active joints in your body — it allows you to talk, chew, yawn, and express emotion. When alignment or muscle balance is off, even slightly, the effects can radiate through your head, neck, and shoulders.

Common contributors include:

• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)

• Forward head posture or neck tension

• Jaw misalignment or past trauma

• Stress and anxiety-related tension

• Dental work or prolonged mouth opening

  
  

Over time, this can create muscle imbalance, joint clicking, or even nerve irritation — leading to symptoms far beyond the jaw itself.

Learn more about our services in office.

How Chiropractic Care Supports TMJ Relief

At Journey Spinal Care, our TMJ approach blends chiropractic care and soft-tissue therapy to address both joint alignment and the surrounding musculature.

Here’s how we help:

• Cervical Spine Adjustments: Gentle spinal corrections restore balance through the neck and upper back, improving communication along the nerves that control jaw movement.

• Instrument-Assisted Adjustments (Activator): Used directly on the jaw to encourage precise motion without discomfort.

• Manual & Internal Therapy: For deeper tension, we may release muscles inside the mouth, such as the pterygoid, which plays a major role in jaw restriction and clicking.

• Soft-Tissue Work (Scraping & Trigger Point Therapy): Relieves tightness in the masseter, temporalis, and SCM muscles — often where stress builds.

  
  

This integrative approach helps calm the nervous system, reduce muscle guarding, and restore natural movement to the jaw and neck.

Learn more about the chiropractor Dr. Sammer Yacoub and our massage therapist Marcus Gonzalez.

Complementary Therapies & At-Home Support

MJ recovery doesn’t stop when you leave the office — your daily habits play a big role in long-term relief. We often guide patients through small, sustainable changes that make a big difference:

• Gentle Stretches & Mobility Work: Light movements for the jaw, neck, and upper back help reduce stiffness and improve circulation.

• Heat or Ice Therapy: Applying warmth can relax tight muscles, while short bouts of ice can calm inflammation after flare-ups.

• Posture & Ergonomics: Paying attention to your desk setup, screen height, and breathing patterns can ease the strain that often feeds jaw tension.

• Stress Management: Techniques such as deep breathing, mindful breaks, or gentle exercise help reduce clenching and teeth grinding caused by daily stress.

• Supplementation: When appropriate, we may suggest Thorne supplements — based on each individual’s needs.

  
  

These home strategies reinforce your in-office care and help prevent future tension from building up again.

When to Seek TMJ Treatment in Sanford FL

You don’t have to wait until symptoms worsen. If you’ve been noticing:

• Clicking, popping, or locking in your jaw

• Chronic neck or shoulder tension

• Headaches around the temples or eyes

• Pain when chewing or talking

• Ear fullness or facial pressure

  
  

…it may be time to have your jaw and surrounding muscles evaluated. Although we don’t diagnose TMJ disorders, our care focuses on relieving the muscle and joint tension that contribute to TMJ-related pain, headaches, and stiffness.

Many patients find significant relief and improved function — especially when other treatments haven’t provided lasting results.

Our New Patient Special includes your consultation, exam, and first adjustment — a simple way to start getting answers and relief. You can also explore our transparent pricing for bodywork and chiropractic care anytime on our Pricing Page.

Start Your Journey to Relief

TMJ-related pain can be frustrating, especially when it affects your daily comfort, focus, or sleep. Whether your symptoms are new or something you’ve been managing for years, gentle chiropractic care and targeted bodywork can make a real difference.

We take time to understand how your jaw, neck, and posture all connect — creating a plan that fits you.

You can book your appointment online, explore our FAQs for common questions, or contact us to learn more.

💚 You can also call or text us at 321-926-4565 — we’ll be happy to help you schedule your visit or answer any questions before you come in.