TMJ Dysfunction Support in Calgary
Jaw tension can affect everything from eating to sleep to your mood. If you’re dealing with clicking, clenching, headaches, or facial tightness, TMJ dysfunction may be part of the picture. At Memorial Drive Chiropractic and Massage, we take a gentle, patient-focused approach that looks at the jaw, neck, posture, and nervous system together. The goal is simple: help you feel more comfortable and more in control of your day-to-day life.
Understanding TMJ Dysfunction
The temporomandibular joints connect your jaw to your skull. These joints work closely with the muscles of the face, head, and neck. When the jaw is under strain, symptoms can show up in a lot of different ways, including jaw clicking or popping, discomfort with chewing, tightness around the temples, headaches, facial tension, ear pressure, and limited jaw movement.
TMJ symptoms are often influenced by stress, clenching or grinding, posture, breathing habits, previous dental work, injury, and neck tension. Many people also notice flare-ups during busy or high stress seasons.
Who This Care Is For
Our care is for adults and teens who notice jaw tightness, clicking, clenching, or recurring tension headaches that seem linked to the jaw or upper neck. It’s also for people who feel their posture and neck tension are feeding into facial tightness, or anyone who wants a calm, structured assessment instead of guessing what is going on.
If you have severe pain, recent trauma, or a jaw that locks open or closed, an assessment is still important. We can help you understand your options and refer you to the right provider if needed.
Why TMJ Symptoms Can Feel Worse Over Time
Jaw issues often become a cycle. Stress and clenching increase muscle tone. That tension can affect the jaw and the upper neck. When the neck tightens, posture changes and the nervous system can stay on alert. Sleep disruption, screen time, and long periods of sitting can all add to this pattern, making symptoms feel more frequent or harder to settle.
How We Support Jaw Comfort And Function
Chiropractic care doesn’t aim to “fix the jaw overnight” or guarantee a specific result. Our focus is on supporting the joints and nervous system involved, especially the upper neck and related posture patterns, while helping reduce protective tension.
“Jaw tension is often connected to what’s happening in the neck and nervous system, so we look at the full pattern, not just the jaw,” explains Calgary chiropractor Dr. Ryan Wagemakers.
Your plan may include chiropractic care to support the upper cervical spine, massage therapy to help settle tight muscles around the neck and shoulders, and Insight scans to better understand stress patterns that may be contributing to clenching. If posture and daily habits are playing a role, we will also talk through practical changes you can actually stick with.
Our TMJ care can also complement other support. If you’re seeing a dentist, using a night guard, or working with another provider, we can coordinate within that plan and refer out when appropriate.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
We start by listening. Your first visit includes a clear review of your symptoms, triggers, and health history. We assess jaw movement, neck mobility, posture, and areas of muscle guarding. If helpful, we may use Insight scans to better understand patterns of stress and tension. If co management or referral is appropriate, we will explain why and guide next steps.
Schedule an Appointment
If jaw tension or headaches are wearing you down, we’re here to help. Contact our practice today to book an appointment.
