HomeBlogThe connection of TMJ and posture: postural phenomena
The connection of TMJ and posture: postural phenomena
August 14, 2023
Did you know that over 15 percent of adults in the United States suffer from chronic facial pain? If you experience symptoms like aching jaws, headaches or earaches, it’s possible you may be suffering because of a disorder of your temporomandibular joints, or TMJ.
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joint.” This acronym is often used incorrectly tors and dentists will use the abbreviation TMD, which means “temporomandibular disorder,” instead. The acronyms TMD and TMJ are usually used interchangeably by everyone else, however.
Your TM joints are located on either side of your head, and they are responsible for all of the major movements of your jaw. The joints coordinate with the muscles, ligaments and bones in your face to do things like chewing, yawning, speaking and opening your mouth wide.
Because TM joints affect every part of your face, it is important to keep them properly aligned and healthy.
How Does Posture Cause TMJ Disorders?
Your body is designed to TMJ disorders.
Your head is intended to hold it up can quickly cause pain and fatigue.
If you are living with a TMJ disorder, attempting tore your airways for better breathing.
Ways to Alleviate TMJ Discomfort
There are many simple exercises you can complete to help retrain your body for proper posture.
One helpful exercise you can do is jaw stretches. Allowing your jaw muscles towel. The ice and heat will let your muscles stretch and contract properly, improving circulation and easing tension.
Other people often find that activities such as yoga, Pilates, physical therapy and guided stretching can help make permanent improvements to their posture over time.
While TMJ disorders can be the source of a lot of pain and stress, it is important to help minimize the pain and discomfort.
Follow me:
About the Author
Dr. Lev Kalika is a world-recognized expert in musculoskeletal ultrasonography, with 20+ years of clinical experience in advanced rehabilitative medicine. In addition to operating his clinical practice in Manhattan, he regularly publishes peer-reviewed research on ultrasound-guided therapies and procedures.
Dr. Kalika is an esteemed member of the International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment ((SMST), and the only clinician in New York certified by the ISMST to perform extracorporeal shockwave therapy. He is also an active member of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), and has developed his own unique approach to dynamic functional and fascial ultrasonography.
In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.
Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.
The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.
Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient to proper diagnostic workup
Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed to be a complete tear with muscle contraction under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)
Complete tear of rectus femoris with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited on dynamic sonography examination
Request Telehealth 
