The 4 Most Common Causes of TMJ Dysfunction (From a Clinical Perspective)
TMJ dysfunction affects millions of people and is often associated with jaw pain, clicking, headaches, facial tension, neck pain, and even dizziness. Yet in clinical practice, TMJ dysfunction is rarely caused by just one isolated issue.
Instead, it is usually the result of multiple contributing factors working together.
In this article, I’ll share the four most common clinical causes of TMJ dysfunction that I see in practice — and explain why understanding the whole body is essential for long-term relief.
The Four Most Common Clinical Causes of TMJ Dysfunction
(These factors rarely exist alone. One is often the tipping point, while the others are quietly contributing in the background.)
Dental Work
Dental procedures often require the jaw to remain open for long periods of time. Even when performed carefully, this position can place strain on the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, ligaments, and cranial structures.
Many clients begin experiencing TMJ symptoms after dental work, including:
Jaw clicking or popping
Facial or ear pain
Headaches
Restricted jaw movement
Jaw locking
For some, the body adapts and recovers. For others, dental work becomes the first trigger in a larger TMJ dysfunction pattern.
Postural Misalignment
Posture plays a major role in TMJ health.
Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and thoracic collapse shift the position of the skull and jaw. When the head moves forward, the jaw is forced to adapt its alignment and muscle activation patterns.
Over time, these postural compensations increase strain on the TMJ and surrounding tissues.
This is why effective TMJ treatment must always include evaluation of the neck, shoulders, rib cage, and spine — not just the jaw.
Chronic Stress and Jaw Tension
Stress is one of the most underestimated contributors to TMJ dysfunction.
Under prolonged stress, the body often develops protective patterns such as:
Teeth grinding or clenching
Elevated shoulders
Shallow breathing
Tight neck and jaw muscles
Poor sleep quality
The nervous system remains in a heightened state, and the jaw becomes a primary holding area for tension. Over time, this constant tone can irritate the TMJ, restrict mobility, and amplify pain.
Trauma
Trauma can include:
Car accidents
Whiplash injuries
Falls
Sports injuries
Sudden jolts
Trauma may disrupt alignment, muscle coordination, and nervous system regulation. Even when pain from the original injury has faded, the jaw and surrounding structures may continue compensating.
In many TMJ cases, trauma is not the only cause — but it is often part of the story.
Why TMJ Dysfunction Rarely Has One Single Cause
TMJ dysfunction is rarely simple.
Most clients present with a combination of dental strain, postural compensation, stress patterns, and trauma history. The body adapts around dysfunction to keep functioning.
When jaw alignment improves, new sensations may sometimes appear elsewhere — not because treatment failed, but because the body is learning to move without compensation.
This is why TMJ care must always involve the whole body.
The jaw reflects posture.
Posture reflects breathing.
Breathing reflects the nervous system.
And the nervous system reflects our lived experience.
The Goal Is Integration, Not Just Symptom Relief
True TMJ healing is not about forcing the jaw into place.
It is about restoring balance, coordination, and safety within the entire system — so the jaw no longer has to compensate.
What To Do When the Pain Won’t Stop
If you are experiencing TMJ pain, jaw clicking, headaches, facial tension, or neck discomfort, a whole-body approach may offer deeper and longer-lasting relief.
At Avalon Wellness & Performance in Naples, Florida, we use an integrative manual therapy and CranioSacral Therapy approach to address TMJ dysfunction at its root — not just at the surface.
You deserve care that listens to your entire body.
