TMJ & Jaw Pain Treatment in Saanichton, BC

What Is TMJ Dysfunction?

The temporomandibular joint works as a hinge and a sliding joint simultaneously — it both rotates and translates as you open your mouth. The disc that sits between the jawbone and skull acts as a cushion during this movement. TMJ dysfunction occurs when the disc, the muscles that control the jaw, the joint itself, or the surrounding soft tissue aren't moving in a coordinated way.

There's usually more than one contributing factor — clenching or grinding (bruxism), forward head posture that alters the resting position of the jaw, stress-related muscle tension, previous jaw or neck injury, or dental changes that affect the bite. Effective treatment addresses as many of these contributors as possible, not just the joint itself.

 

 

Common TMJ Symptoms

Jaw Pain and Clicking

Pain along the jaw, in front of the ear, or deep in the ear canal is the most common TMJ symptom. Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds during jaw movement usually indicate disc displacement — the disc has shifted out of its normal position during opening or closing. A click on opening and a click on closing (reciprocal clicking) is the classic sign of a disc that's temporarily displaced but reduces back into position. Clicking without pain often doesn't require aggressive treatment — clicking with pain or progressive restriction does.

Limited Opening or Jaw Locking

If your jaw feels stiff in the morning, if you can't open wide enough to comfortably eat or yawn, or if your jaw has locked open or closed, the disc or joint capsule is likely involved. Reduced opening (under 35–40mm interincisal distance) is a clinical sign we assess at your first visit. Gentle joint mobilisation and muscle release can restore normal opening range surprisingly quickly in many cases.

Headaches and Facial Pain

TMJ-driven headaches are typically temporal (around the temples), frontal, or present as pain behind the eye. The masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles — all involved in jaw movement — can develop active trigger points that refer pain into the face, head, and teeth. Many patients who've been treated for migraines or tension headaches for years are actually experiencing TMJ-referred pain.

Ear Symptoms

Ear fullness, tinnitus (ringing), and pain that feels like an ear infection — without an actual infection — are frequently TMJ-referred symptoms. The TMJ sits immediately adjacent to the ear canal, and the muscles of the jaw attach near the middle ear structures. These symptoms often resolve when the TMJ mechanics and surrounding soft tissue are treated, which can be a significant relief for patients who've been investigating ear causes without finding them.

Neck Pain and Jaw — The Cervical Connection

The jaw and the neck are closely linked — the position of the head directly affects the resting position of the mandible, and vice versa. Forward head posture (head sitting forward of the shoulders) is one of the most common drivers of TMJ dysfunction because it forces the jaw to reposition to maintain a comfortable bite. This is why neck pain and TMJ symptoms so often co-exist, and why treating one often improves the other. Whiplash injuries can also directly injure the TMJ — see our whiplash page for more on post-MVA jaw symptoms.

 

 

Our Treatment Approach

Chiropractic Assessment and Jaw Mobilisation

• Dr. Hadbavny and Dr. Murray have completed extensive post-graduate training in TMJ treatment — both intraoral and extraoral techniques not taught in standard chiropractic training

• Full assessment of jaw opening range, disc position, joint sounds, and muscle tenderness

• Cervical spine assessment — identifying upper cervical joint restriction contributing to jaw position

• Gentle TMJ mobilisation techniques to restore disc tracking and reduce joint restriction

• Upper cervical adjustments where cervical dysfunction is contributing to jaw mechanics

• Direct collaboration with local dentists and oral specialists when dental splinting or occlusal management is indicated

Soft Tissue and Massage Therapy

• Registered massage therapy — intraoral and extraoral work on the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles

• Trigger point therapy targeting the muscles that refer pain into the face, head, and ear

• Upper trapezius, SCM, and suboccipital release — addressing the cervical contribution to jaw tension

• Fascial release for the jaw, neck, and upper chest as a system

Self-Management Guidance

• Jaw rest positioning and diet modifications to reduce joint load during recovery

• Awareness and interruption of clenching and bruxism habits

• Postural correction exercises to reduce forward head posture — the most overlooked driver of TMJ recurrence

• Sleep position and pillow advice — side sleeping with poor cervical support compounds both neck and jaw symptoms

 

 

Do I Need to See a Dentist as Well?

It depends on what's driving your TMJ dysfunction. Our treatment handles the musculoskeletal side — joint mechanics, cervical contribution, and soft tissue. A dentist is needed when:

• You have significant bruxism (grinding) that requires a night guard or splint

• Your bite has changed due to dental work and is contributing to jaw strain

• There's significant disc displacement that may benefit from an oral appliance

• Symptoms are severe or progressive and structural imaging (MRI of the TMJ) is indicated

 

For many patients, chiropractic and massage alone resolves the symptoms without dental intervention. When we assess you, Dr. Hadbavny or Dr. Murray will give you a clear picture of whether a dentist referral is needed — and because they work with local dentists regularly, they can point you to the right person and communicate directly about your case if a combined approach is warranted.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions — TMJ Treatment in Saanichton

Can chiropractic actually help TMJ — or do I need to see a dentist?

Chiropractic and massage treat the musculoskeletal component of TMJ dysfunction — the joint mechanics, cervical spine contribution, and muscle tension. For a large proportion of patients, this is sufficient to resolve symptoms completely. Dentists manage the occlusal (bite) and dental components — night guards, splints, and dental corrections. The two approaches aren't mutually exclusive; many patients benefit from both. We'll give you an honest assessment of which components are driving your symptoms at your first visit.

 

How long does TMJ treatment take?

Mild to moderate TMJ dysfunction with a clear cervical or muscular driver often responds within 6–10 visits over 4–6 weeks. More complex cases — longstanding disc displacement, significant bruxism, or TMJ symptoms following MVA — take longer, typically 10–16 visits. We assess progress regularly and adjust the plan accordingly.

 

Is jaw clicking always a problem?

Not always. Clicking without pain or restriction is very common and often doesn't require treatment. We monitor it rather than aggressively intervene. Clicking that is accompanied by pain, that is getting louder or more frequent, or that is progressing toward limited opening should be assessed — it indicates the disc isn't tracking correctly and intervention before the disc locks is much easier than treating a locked disc.

 

I grind my teeth at night — should I get a night guard first?

A night guard from your dentist is a good idea if you're a confirmed grinder — it protects your teeth and reduces the load on the TMJ during sleep. But it doesn't address the muscle tension, cervical mechanics, or stress patterns that drive the grinding in the first place. Combining a night guard with chiropractic and massage treatment produces better outcomes than either alone.

 

My TMJ started after a car accident — is that connected?

Yes — the TMJ can be directly injured in an MVA, particularly in rear-end collisions where the jaw is forced open and shut rapidly. ICBC covers treatment for TMJ injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in BC, just as it does for neck and back injuries. See our whiplash page for more on post-MVA TMJ management and ICBC coverage.

 

My child has jaw pain — can you see younger patients?

Yes. TMJ dysfunction in adolescents is often related to growth, orthodontic treatment, or stress-related clenching. Our assessment is adapted for younger patients and treatment is gentle. We'll refer to a paediatric dentist or orthodontist if dental involvement is indicated.

 

 

Book an Appointment — TMJ & Jaw Pain Treatment in Saanichton

Accepting new patients from Saanichton, Central Saanich, Brentwood Bay, Sidney, Victoria, and surrounding areas.

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📞 250-223-0200

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Book online — 24 hours a day | Open 7 days, 8am–6pm.

Address: #203 - 6981 E Saanich Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1X7

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Also explore: Headache treatment | Neck pain treatment | Massage therapy | Whiplash treatment