When your car’s tires are out of alignment it can make driving a challenge. Let your guard down for a second, and you might find yourself drifting into another lane! In fact, alignment is an important principle for many things in life. Whether your beliefs are on the same page as your partner, your tile is correctly placed in your bathroom renovation, or your spine is in its proper position, good alignment makes a world of difference.
But what happens if your spine isn’t positioned where it needs to be? Poor posture isn’t just localized to your back. In fact, it can cause a whole host of problems throughout the body, from back and shoulder pain to headaches, and in some cases even temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Posture and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Also known as TMJ dysfunction, temporomandibular joint dysfunction occurs when the jawbone becomes misaligned from the joints that attach it to the skull. This in turn can cause:
- Jaw pain
- A clicking or popping sound when you open and close your mouth
- Stiffness
- Difficulty speaking or chewing
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Headaches or migraines
- Neck, shoulder, and backaches
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
While there are many root causes of TMJ dysfunction including injury, genetics, or a misaligned bite, TMJ dysfunction can also be caused or worsened by poor posture. That’s because when the spine is not in its proper position, it can push the jaw forward, causing it to fall out of alignment as well.
Improving TMD Symptoms
If you do have TMJ dysfunction as well as poor posture from genetics or other causes like “tech neck”, you could be exacerbating your symptoms. Thankfully, you can help alleviate some of those issues by doing a posture overhaul. Here are a few tips to help improve your spine and hopefully some of your TMJ pain as well:
- Sit up straight, especially when on a computer or tech device. Use an ergonomic chair at your desk or a lumbar support pillow against your lower back when sitting upright.
- Get up frequently and stretch your back, arms, and legs. Set an alarm in 20–30-minute intervals to remind you to check your posture or take a brief walk.
- Practice posture exercises such as balancing a book on your head when walking across the room, or a posture overcorrect exercise where you shift from slouching to sitting exaggeratedly straight and then relaxing your back to a position somewhere halfway between the two.
If you are addressing your posture but still noticing TMJ pain, it’s time to speak to your dentist about your treatment options. Your dentist can help determine the root cause of your TMD and formulate an effective treatment plan that will help better align your jaw and alleviate discomfort.
About Dr. Brunner
Dr. Brandon Brunner has been practicing dentistry right here in Brookfield since 2005. Following his graduation from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, he has amassed over 400 hours of continuing education in the field of dentistry, sleep medicine, and TMJ dysfunction to help patients live life as comfortably possible.
If you are suffering from TMJ pain or dysfunction, visit our website to schedule an appointment, or call us at 262-588-3107.