Is Your Neck Pain Really Coming from Your Jaw?
Neck pain is one of those things that can sneak up on you—whether it’s after a long day hunched over a desk, waking up with stiffness, or dealing with stress that settles right in your shoulders. But what if your neck pain isn’t just about posture or tension? What if it’s actually connected to your jaw?
At MD Pain in Colorado Springs, we see this all the time. Many of our TMJ patients come to us with complaints of chronic neck pain, not realizing the two are often closely connected.
The Jaw-Neck Connection
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a bigger role in your overall comfort than you might think. It’s not just about clicking jaws or sore chewing muscles—when the TMJ isn’t functioning properly, it can trigger a chain reaction that affects your head, shoulders, and especially your neck.
Think about it: your jaw muscles, neck muscles, and upper back are all part of one complex system. When your jaw is misaligned or under constant tension (from clenching, grinding, or stress), those surrounding muscles work overtime to compensate. That extra effort can lead to tightness, inflammation, and that familiar stiff, achy feeling that just won’t quit.
What Neck Pain from TMJ Feels Like
Neck pain linked to TMJ isn’t always easy to pinpoint. You might feel:
- A dull ache at the base of your skull
- Tension radiating from your jaw to your shoulders
- Reduced neck mobility or stiffness
- Headaches that start in the neck or behind the ears
Some people don’t even notice jaw pain—they just know their neck constantly feels “off.” That’s why it’s important to look at the bigger picture when treating pain.
Managing Neck Pain with a TMJ-Focused Approach
If traditional neck pain treatments haven’t worked, it might be time to consider your jaw. At MD Pain, we take a comprehensive approach to TMJ and neck pain management. That means we don’t just focus on where it hurts—we look at what’s causing the pain in the first place.
Treatment might include:
- Relaxation techniques and exercises to reduce clenching
- Jaw alignment therapies
- Trigger point or joint injections
- Minimally invasive options for long-term relief
Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual. We take the time to understand how your pain started, what your lifestyle looks like, and how it’s affecting your daily routine.
Colorado Springs Residents—Don’t Ignore Neck Pain
Neck pain isn’t just something you have to live with, especially if it’s being driven by TMJ dysfunction. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with TMJ or suspect your jaw might be the source, the team at MD Pain is here to help you connect the dots.