Introduction: TMJ Pain Rarely Starts in the Jaw Alone
If you’ve been told you have TMJ dysfunction or grind your teeth at night, it’s easy to focus on the joint itself. But what if the real culprit is your posture?
At BreatheWorks, we find that poor cervical and head posture, mouth breathing, and muscular imbalance are often the underlying causes of jaw pain and clenching. TMJ dysfunction is rarely isolated—and it’s often made worse by how you sit, sleep, and breathe.
How Posture Contributes to TMJ Dysfunction
Forward head posture, collapsed chest, and slumped sitting compress the jaw by:
- Displacing the mandible backward
- Changing the resting position of the tongue and lips
- Increasing demand on the masseter, temporalis, and neck muscles
- Weakening core and upper back support, forcing compensation at the jaw
- Disrupting nasal breathing, which increases clenching and tension
Over time, this leads to:
- Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw
- Headaches, ear pain, and facial tightness
- bruxism teeth grinding and wear on teeth
- Poor sleep and difficulty eating
- Strained voice and speech due to tension
Real-World Case: A 38-Year-Old Dental Hygienist with Severe Clenching
A dental hygienist came to BreatheWorks with daily jaw pain, morning tmj headache, and worsening tooth sensitivity. Despite wearing a night guard, she reported no relief.
Our evaluation found:
- Forward head posture with tight suboccipitals
- Mouth open at rest and low tongue tone
- Shallow chest breathing and upper trapezius overuse
- History of trauma and high stress work posture
Therapy included:
- Myofunctional therapy for TMJ to support oral rest posture and nasal breathing
- Postural realignment and breath training
- Coordination with a tmj specialist near me and physical therapist
- Guidance on ergonomics and muscle downtraining during work
After 6 weeks:
- Jaw pain was reduced by 70%
- No longer waking with clenching or tightness
- Felt more relaxed during the day and more energetic in the morning
- Avoided further dental wear or intervention
Signs Your Posture May Be Causing or Worsening TMJ Issues
- Clenching or grinding during sleep or stressful tasks
- Pain or tightness in the jaw, temples, or behind the eyes
- Clicking or locking of the jaw when eating or speaking
- Difficulty chewing or frequent tension in the face
- Shoulder and neck pain that accompanies jaw symptoms
- History of mouth breathing, poor sleep, or chronic sinus congestion
How BreatheWorks Addresses TMJ Through Postural and Myofunctional Therapy
Our whole-body, non-surgical approach helps you get to the root of jaw dysfunction:
✅ Myofunctional therapy TMJ to restore tongue posture, reduce clenching, and normalize rest position
✅ Postural reeducation to reduce tension and jaw compression
✅ Breathing retraining to support diaphragm and reduce sympathetic drive
✅ Collaboration with TMJ specialists, dentists, orthodontists, and PTs
✅ Long-term strategies to maintain alignment, sleep, and oral function
Key Takeaways
- TMJ dysfunction is often driven by posture, breathing, and muscular imbalance
- Treating jaw pain effectively requires addressing whole-body alignment
- Myofunctional and postural therapy provide lasting, non-invasive relief
- BreatheWorks collaborates across disciplines for optimal TMJ outcomes
