TMJ Disorder
Clicking when opening the mouth, a jaw that locks, pain when chewing: a trouble de l’ATM most often has a mechanical cause that guides the right care plan. At the Dr. Hamza Beghdadi Chiropractic Clinic, the assessment relies on the CBP technique and on objective postural measurements, because the jaw doesn't function in isolation from the cervical spine and posture.
Book an Appointment for a TMJ Disorder Assessment
A complete assessment precedes every care plan. Dr. Beghdadi, chiropractor, sees you in Roxboro or Villeray.
Why Consult Dr. Hamza Beghdadi, Chiropractor, for a TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joint is a joint in its own right: it therefore falls within the chiropractor's scope of practice. Here's what characterizes our chiropractor's practice:
- Training in the CBP technique (Chiropractic BioPhysics®), grounded in objective postural measurements rather than a subjective reading.
- Doctor of Chiropractic from UQTR (2013) and more than ten years of practice in Montreal.
- Dual scientific background: a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the Université de Montréal and a Doctor of Chiropractic.
- Complete assessment at the first visit: case history, orthopaedic and neurological tests, palpation, postural analysis.
- Member of the Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec (OCQ), the Association chiropratique du Québec, and the Canadian Chiropractic Association.
- Two clinics in Montreal: Roxboro, in the West Island, and Villeray.
A TMJ disorder that comes back rarely signals a simple tight muscle. The quality of the assessment makes the difference between relieving an episode and correcting what brings it back.
The CBP Technique and Cervical Alignment Applied to the Jaw
. CBP technique (Chiropractic BioPhysics®) aims to restore the physiological curves of the spine, in particular the cervical lordosis. In a jaw dysfunction of postural origin, the position of the head andalignement vertébral directly influence the tension of the masticatory muscles. Assessing posture and the colonne cervicale then becomes a logical target of care, not an incidental detail. It's by tracing back to this mechanical cause, rather than working only on the symptom, that the benefits last.
Understanding the mechanical cause before treating: that's what separates lasting improvement from temporary relief.
Schedule a Consultation With a Chiropractor Trained in the CBP Technique
Réservez votre évaluation à la clinique de votre choix.
What Is a TMJ Disorder? Definition and Anatomy
The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull and takes part in thousands of movements each day: speaking, chewing, yawning. A trouble de l’ATM occurs when this joint, its muscles or its disc no longer work in sync. Pain, joint noises and limited movement are its most common signs. The chiropractic assessment seeks to identify the cause before proposing a care plan.
The Forms of TMJ Disorder: Myofascial, Articular, Degenerative
The Canadian Chiropractic Association distinguishes three main families of disorders of this joint:
- Myofascial pain: tension and tenderness of the muscles that control the jaw and attach to the neck and shoulders.
- Internal derangement of the joint: displacement of the disc, whether reducible or irreducible.
- Degenerative involvement: osteoarthritis or arthritis affecting the joint itself.
These forms often overlap. A malocclusion or joint degeneration can, for example, sustain a myofascial component.
Jaw, Masticatory Muscles and the Link With the Cervical Spine
The masticatory muscles (masseters, pterygoids, temporalis muscles) govern the opening and closing of the jaw. They work in close coordination with the neck muscles. A is moresuch as the forward head posture sustained by screen work, changes the tension of this muscle chain and the position of the colonne cervicaleThis is why a jaw disorder and neck pain and torticollis frequently occur together, and why the cervical examination is part of the assessment.
The Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder
The symptoms of a TMJ disorder vary from one person to another, but their combination points to a specific mechanical cause. This is what the chiropractic assessment documents, from the most subtle joint noise to the locking that interferes with eating.
Clicking, Locking and Pain When Chewing
The most commonly reported signs are the following:
- Clicking or popping when opening and closing the mouth.
- Locking of the jaw that makes opening difficult or asymmetrical.
- Jaw pain, sometimes localized in front of the joint, worsened by chewing.
- Tenderness of the masticatory muscles and jaw fatigue at the end of the day.
The intensity you feel doesn't always reflect the cause. Moderate discomfort can signal a jaw dysfunction that deserves an assessment.
Associated Headaches and Cervical Tension
When the muscle chain of the jaw and neck is involved, maux de tête and tension in the colonne cervicale often accompany the TMJ disorder. These headaches frequently appear when the upper vertebral levels take part in the tension. As with radiating pain linked to sciatica, the approach consists of tracing back to the mechanism rather than treating each symptom in isolation.
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Causes and Risk Factors of a TMJ Disorder
A TMJ disorder rarely happens all at once. Several factors add up, and it's their accumulation that eventually unbalances the joint and the muscles around it.
Bruxism, Malocclusion and Overuse of the Jaw Muscles
Parmi les déclencheurs mécaniques les plus fréquents, on retrouve le bruxisme Among the most common mechanical triggers are bruxism (clenching and grinding of the teeth), often linked to stress, as well as overuse of the jaw muscles, such as chewing gum repeatedly. A malocclusion changes how loads are distributed on the joint. In these situations, co-management with the dentist may be indicated when the dental component dominates.
Postural Imbalances, Forward Head Posture and Spinal Alignment
. is more occupe une place centrale parmi les facteurs de risque. Le port antérieur de la tête, entretenu par les heures passées devant un écran, déplace le centre de gravité du crâne vers l’avant. Cette position augmente la tension des muscles cervicaux et masticateurs et modifie l’alignement vertébral. Le déséquilibre s’installe progressivement, irrite l’articulation et favorise les épisodes répétés. C’est précisément ce mécanisme postural que cible l’approche CBP.
Our Postural Chiropractic Approach to TMJ Disorder
The conservative approach remains the first line for most jaw disorders. The difference lies in the quality of the assessment and the coherence of the plan, whose goal is to target the postural cause rather than the symptom alone.
Complete chiropractic evaluation: history, tests, and postural analysis
The chiropractic assessment takes place in an initial consultation that rests on objective measurements:
- Case history: how it started, past history, postural habits and work profile.
- Orthopaedic and neurological tests: range of motion, strength and sensitivity.
- Standing and seated postural analysis, identifying asymmetries.
- Palpation of the masticatory muscles, the jaw and the cervical spine.
- Cervical X-ray when the clinical examination warrants it.
For this assessment, athletic clothing without metal or plastic makes the visual postural analysis easier. This step leads to a clear chiropractic diagnosis, which the doctor presents to you at the second visit: he'll show you what's contributing to your condition and explain the recommended care plan. diagnostic chiropratique clair, que le docteur vous présente à la deuxième visite: il va vous montrer ce qui contribue à votre condition et vous expliquer le plan de soins recommandé.
The CBP Care Plan: Phases and Corrections
The CBP care plan is structured around three phases with distinct goals: an intensive phase, a corrective phase, then a stabilization phase. Depending on the profile, it combines the chiropractic adjustment according to the Mirror Image® principle, joint mobilizations and soft-tissue techniques on the masticatory muscles, tractions targeting the cervical spine, and personalized postural exercises. A personalized estimate is presented to you after the assessment, once the cause is identified. CBP technique se structure autour de trois phases aux objectifs distincts: une phase intensive, une phase corrective, puis une phase de stabilisation. Selon le profil, il combine l’ajustement chiropratique selon le principe Mirror Image®, des mobilisations articulaires et des techniques sur les tissus mous des muscles masticateurs, des tractions visant la colonne cervicale, et des exercices posturaux personnalisés. Une estimation personnalisée vous est présentée après l’évaluation, une fois la cause identifiée.
The goal isn't just to calm a flare-up, but to correct the postural cause to limit recurrence.
Let's Discuss Your Situation at a First Assessment. Bring Your Questions and Your History; the Plan Is Built With You.
Preventing Recurrence Day to Day
Preventing a TMJ disorder comes down to everyday habits, especially when a postural component is involved:
- Adopt a neutral posture at the screen: screen at eye level, back supported, regular active breaks. is more neutre à l’écran: écran à hauteur des yeux, dos soutenu, pauses actives régulières.
- Limit overuse of the jaw: avoid gum and very hard foods during sensitive periods.
- Notice stress-related teeth clenching and consciously relax the jaw during the day.
- Take care of your sleep position and choose a pillow that respects the spinal alignment of the neck.alignement vertébral du cou.
- Recognize the first signs of tension so you can seek care before the episode sets in.
To understand how posture influences the whole spine, see also our CBP approach focused on postural correction approche CBP axée sur la correction posturale.
Would you rather have a plan tailored to your profile than generic advice? Your postural habits are unique. Vos habitudes posturales sont uniques.
Book an Appointment in Roxboro or Villeray
Two clinics in Montreal apply the same posture-focused chiropractic approach. Choose according to your area. To learn how your first visit unfolds, see the dedicated page. your first visit, consultez la page dédiée.
Roxboro Clinic — West Island
10400 boulevard Gouin Ouest, Roxboro, QC H8Y 1W4. Phone: 514-683-3476. The clinic serves the West Island: Pierrefonds, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Kirkland, Pointe-Claire, Sainte-Geneviève and the western sectors of Laval.
Villeray Clinic — Montreal
1100 boulevard Crémazie Est, suite 210, Montréal, QC H2P 2X2. Phone: 514-742-7777. The clinic serves Villeray, Parc-Extension, Ahuntsic, Rosemont and Saint-Michel.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Disorder
Yes, the jaw is a joint that falls within the chiropractor's scope of practice. The approach aims to assess the mechanical cause of the TMJ disorder, then to propose care that can help restore more comfortable movement of the joint, taking posture and the cervical spine into account. trouble de l’ATM, puis à proposer des soins qui peuvent contribuer à rétablir un mouvement plus confortable de l’articulation, en tenant compte de la posture et de la colonne cervicale.
The first consultation is a complete assessment: case history, orthopaedic and neurological tests, palpation and postural analysis. The chiropractic diagnosis and the care plan are then presented to you at the second visit, once the cause of the jaw dysfunction is identified. To learn more, see why you should see a chiropractor. diagnostic chiropratique et le plan de soins vous sont ensuite présentés à la deuxième visite, une fois la cause de la dysfonction de la mâchoire identifiée. Pour en savoir plus, consultez pourquoi consulter un chiropraticien.
Adjustments performed by a chiropractor, a health professional trained in this technique, are safe when the prior assessment confirms they're indicated. The orthopaedic and neurological tests allow for a precise chiropractic diagnosis and rule out contraindications before any care.
Yes, it's common. Tension in the masticatory and cervical muscles can sustain headaches of cervical origin and neck pain. When the cervical spine is involved, the TMJ disorder and the neck pain sustain each other, which warrants an assessment of the whole chain. maux de tête d’origine cervicale et des douleurs au cou. Lorsque la colonne cervicale est impliquée, le trouble de l’ATM et la cervicalgie s’entretiennent mutuellement, ce qui justifie une évaluation de l’ensemble de la chaîne.
Oui. Le bruxismeYes. Bruxism, that is, the clenching or grinding of the teeth often linked to stress, exerts repeated pressure on the joint and the muscles of the jaw. Over time, this overload can promote the onset of a TMJ disorder. Noticing and releasing this clenching is part of the advice given at the clinic.
A disorder that comes back often signals an uncorrected postural imbalance. The CBP angle consists of assessing posture and spinal alignment with objective measurements, correcting the cause, then stabilizing with postural exercises. It's this sequence that aims for lasting rather than episodic relief. CBP technique consiste à évaluer la is more et l’alignement vertébral avec des mesures objectives, à corriger la cause, puis à stabiliser avec des exercices posturaux. C’est cette séquence qui vise un soulagement durable plutôt qu’épisodique.