TMJ means temporomandibular joint. It is a ball and socket joint at each side of the head. TMJ health problems are common and very difficult to treat; if you have suffered them, you know what we mean. These problems happen when the joint is under stress; common causes are dental work, a blow to the jaw, osteoarthritis, or trauma from car accidents, however, there is a reason for muscular stress that is often overlooked as a cause for TMJ: poor body alignment.
Something that may look as simple and unimportant as uneven and rounded shoulders may be causing you excruciating pain. When one shoulder is lower than the other, this causes a constant downward pull on one side of the jaw and ear, causing neck, jaw, and ear pain, tinnitus, and even vertigo. If your shoulders round inward, this will cause a forward pull on both sides of the neck.
Physical therapy and yoga can help you even your shoulders and pull them back, eventually getting rid of TMJ pain. However, if you stop your yoga and therapy routines, while at the same time spend too much time at the computer, for example, the discomfort will return, thus, it is necessary to be very disciplined and encourage prevention through conscious practices.
To see if poor posture could be causing your TMJ pain, take a look in the mirror. Stand up straight and face a full-length mirror, look at your shoulders and examine if they are even. Feel the muscles on each side of your neck to see if they are the same, if not, you will feel a side more stretched out and weaker. Also check if your head is even over your shoulders from side to side, or if it is tilted to one side.
Return your hands to the sides of your body and look at them in the mirror. If your muscles are well balanced, your hands will hang straight at your side, with the thumbs facing forward, otherwise, you will see your palms flat against your thighs and the back of your hands will face forward. This means your shoulders are rounded, and it can cause muscle tension in your jaw because your chest muscles are tight and pulling the shoulders in, and your back muscles are weak and stretched out, causing a forward pull on the jaw.
Finally, turn to one side and check your posture. Your arm should hang freely at your side, and the back of your hand should be flat against your thigh. Your head should be even on top of your spine, not tilted forward or backwards. Your shoulder should be exactly below your ear.
The musculoskeletal alignment of the body is primordial for its general health, given the fact that it encompasses the whole body structure. If misaligned, the person will not only suffer from pain which is directly related to muscles and bones, but also from sickness produced by the crushing of organs and lack of air resulting from a bad posture. It could mean a complete body failure, capable of ruining your life.
This is a huge risk that can be easily avoided. Now you know how important good posture is for your health, so you can take the necessary measures to correct it. There are physical therapies, alternative therapies, posture training, posture and back support, and massages, among others. However, if you are suffering from TMJ or any other physical problem, the first thing you should do is see your doctor for professional advice; only then, can you implement any kind of therapy or change in your life safely and effectively.
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