Skip to main content
3d rendering of patient with jaw pain from TMJ

Jaw Pain and TMJ Pain

Our primary goal is to address your hopes, wants, desires, and fears surrounding your pain by utilizing an advanced pain categorization system.

Our Chiropractic Treatment Approach Toward Jaw Pain

At ICT Muscle & Joint Clinic, our emphasis is on classifying pain through an intricate science-based, categorization system and then directing you to the appropriate healthcare provider. If your jaw pain is within a category of our skillset, we start addressing the concern as soon as possible. To better help you understand your at-home exercises, we have created Video Programs. This allows you to take your health back into your own hands, being mobile with your rehab and recovery.

We work hard to educate you as a customer in understanding your pain to allow you to make the most informed decisions possible for yourself. Knowledge is power, and self-empowerment is our game.

Schedule Now

Common Associated costs for Jaw Pain in the United States:

Orthognathic Jaw Surgery (without insurance)

20000 +
Ranges up to $40,000

Braces

1500 +
Ranges up to $13,000

Night Guard

200 +
Ranges up to $500

*It is important to note, many individuals must undergo rehabilitation services after a surgery. There is added time and expenses not calculated within cost of a surgery.

View Costs Data Source

Our In-person, Telehealth, and Video Programs are designed to directly target the problem at hand with the appropriate intervention led by our pain auditing system. This can drastically decrease the extent of your jaw recovery while eliminating the potential for undergoing expensive, time-consuming, invasive interventions.

Dig Deeper

Click on any item below to learn more about jaw pain and Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain.

What Causes “Jaw” or Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain?

What causes pain and what is the source of pain are two different matters. However, these two matters, conceptually, become jumbled up into one. We should always separate these two as they are profoundly different. Causes can be infinite. The way you think, feel, move, or rest may cause the pain. Therefore “causes of pain” may be infinite. However, the source of pain may be local to the place of pain, irritating local pain fibers, or much further away, resulting in the need for further investigation and categorization of the pain if long-lasting results, or results at all, are the desired outcome.

The Mechanical (Movement Pillar) Dynamics of the Jaw

The temporomandibular joint, commonly referred to as the TMJ, is a ginglymoarthrodial joint meaning it rotates and translates simultaneously. Surrounding all joints, TMJ being no exception, there must be a balance between tension and compression of the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and fascia. When a local problem is determined to be a local cause, it can be due to an imbalance of these structures. This requires mobilization and release of tight structures in addition to strengthening weak or inhibited structure of the painful joint as well as the joints above and below.

When the TMJ becomes dysfunctional, it in turn creates jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches. Research indicates a close connection between neck pain and TMJ dysfunction. Certain muscles of the jaw are neurologically integrated in vision, balance, proprioception, and postural control of the entire body.1 This may lead to forward head posture, or various neck problems.2

Common Jaw Centric Diagnoses for Which We Screen

These are a few common diagnoses we screen and treat for regarding jaw symptoms. This list is not exhaustive as many symptoms and concerns do not have great diagnoses.

  1. TMJ, TMD or TMJD
  2. Trigeminal Neuralgia
  3. Headaches
  4. Migraines
  5. Bruxism
  6. Neck Pain

Respecting Your Finances

By offering our various programs we can quickly assess and test what is driving your symptoms and in turn providing quick options for care. Because of this, we will not only speed up recovery, but decrease overall expenses.

Is Jaw Pain a Jaw Problem?

80 %
of TMJD resolve with conservative care if not caused by an injury

Many people who experience jaw pain also have correlated neck pain or dysfunction.3 Because of this interconnectedness, we prefer to work closely with board certified orthodontists. Eighty percent of TMJD resolve with conservative care if not caused by an injury. If caused by injury, only 20-30% of symptoms resolve with conservative care.4

The Extra Professional Touch to Your Jaw Pain

If there are specific services local to where you live, we will help direct you to those services if needed. By using us your portal of entry contact to your jaw health, we can be a non-biased party, providing only the best science-backed information. Our emphasis is on getting you to do what you need to do to liberate you from a system – the healthcare system.

Content written by Dr. Keith Sparks, DC | Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) Practitioner
Content reviewed by Dr. Rachel Sparks, DC | Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) Practitioner

View Citations and References

1 Valentino, 2002
2 Spine 1996; 21:14 1638-1646
3 Okeson, J. - Orofacial Pain Guidelines, 1996
4 Brooke R, Lapoint H, Spine, Vol. 7, No. 3; Sept 1993

For More Health Info and Topics

Search our Library for more information surroundings various health topics, facts, and myths of healthcare, and much more. Sign up for our Newsletter to receive monthly health tips and our 10 Tips to True Health.

Download Now
Contact Us with Further Questions

If you are in the Wichita, KS, area and are having frustrations, complications, or stagnant results with care, then contact us for in-person help with our unique healthcare approaches. If you are not within the greater Wichita, KS metro, we have created amazing Telehealth and Video Programs to provide you the same high-quality care. Contact our professional chiropractic staff at our East Wichita clinic or West Wichita clinic about possible treatments for your muscle, joint, nutrition, and health-related concerns today.

Contact Our Team