{"id":20312,"date":"2026-07-06T18:12:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationmedical.ro\/?p=20312"},"modified":"2026-07-06T18:15:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:15:48","slug":"does-your-jaw-hurt-why-are-we-evaluating-your-posture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/innovationmedical.ro\/en\/te-doare-maxilarul-de-ce-iti-evaluam-si-postura\/","title":{"rendered":"Your jaw hurts. Why are we assessing your posture?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The connection between the TMJ and the whole body\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201eI came for my jaw. Why are you making me sit up straight?\u201d\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This is one of the most common questions we get in the office.<\/p>

The patient comes in for jaw pain, joint noises, or difficulty chewing, and during the consultation, they notice that we also assess the position of the head, shoulders, cervical spine, or even their posture.<\/p>

At first glance, these things might seem unrelated.<\/p>

In reality, they are closely connected.<\/p>

In modern medicine, the temporomandibular joint is no longer viewed as an isolated structure, but as part of a complex functional system, in which the musculature, cervical spine, posture, and nervous system permanently influence how the jaw functions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The body functions as a single mechanism\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Imagine your body as a tent.<\/p>

If one of the cables supporting it is excessively tensioned, the entire structure begins to become unbalanced.<\/p>

It's not just one corner of the tent that's being modified, but its entire geometry.<\/p>

The human body works the same way.<\/p>

The jaw, cervical spine, shoulder musculature, and even the pelvic girdle constantly communicate through muscular and fascial chains, coordinated by the nervous system.<\/p>

That's why a seemingly minor alteration at the TMJ level can lead to distant adaptations, and a postural problem can modify temporomandibular joint function.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What does the scientific literature say?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In recent years, numerous studies have analyzed the relationship between body posture and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.<\/p>

Journal of Oral Rehabilitation<\/em>\u00a0in a study showing that there is an association between temporomandibular dysfunctions and cervical posture changes, especially head forward postureforward head posture<\/em>However, the authors emphasize that this relationship is complex and that not every postural change is caused by the TMJ or vice versa.<\/p>

In turn, American Academy of Orofacial Pain<\/em> It is recommended that the evaluation of patients with temporomandibular disorders include examination of the musculoskeletal system and the cervical spine, as these can contribute to symptomatology.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Furthermore, international criteria DC\/TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders)<\/strong> recommends examining the musculature and associated structures, precisely because TMJ pain and dysfunction cannot be interpreted solely through the lens of the joint.<\/p>

Therefore, current literature does not support the idea that \u201eall posture problems come from the TMJ\u201d or that \u201eall TMJ dysfunctions are caused by the spine.\u201d Instead, it supports the existence of a functional relationship that must be evaluated individually.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ascending or descending problems?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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An important concept in functional medicine is that of imbalances ascendant<\/strong> and descendant<\/strong>.<\/p>

Sometimes, the problem starts at the stomatognathic system level. Traumatic occlusion, severe bruxism, or TMJ dysfunction can alter the activity of the cervical musculature and head posture.<\/p>

In other situations, the mechanism is reversed. Poor posture, reduced cervical spine mobility, or muscular imbalance can influence the jaw position and how the temporomandibular joint functions.<\/p>

Therefore, the correct question is not \u201ewhat came first?\u201d, but What is the dominant mechanism in each patient's case?<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How do we evaluate this relationship at Innovation Medical Center?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Innovation Medical Center<\/strong>, ATM evaluation is not limited to articulation.<\/p>

The analysis begins with a clinical examination of the masticatory muscles, mandibular mobility, and cervical spine, continuing with an assessment of the relationship between occlusion, muscle function, and posture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Depending on each case, this can be completed by:<\/p>