A clicking jaw, morning soreness, or pain when you chew can all point to a TMJ disorder. At The Spine and Wellness Center in Coral Springs, Dr. Jared Cohen, DC helps patients across Coral Springs and Parkland address jaw pain at its source, including the neck tension and posture habits that so often feed it.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jared Cohen, DC · Updated June 2026

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull just in front of each ear. A TMJ disorder, sometimes called TMD, is any problem with that joint, the muscles that move it, or the surrounding structures. It is surprisingly common and can range from a minor annoyance to a daily source of pain.

Because the jaw, head, and neck share so many muscles and nerves, TMJ problems often show up alongside headaches, neck stiffness, and ear discomfort. That overlap is exactly why a whole-picture approach tends to work better than treating the jaw in isolation.

Common symptoms of TMJ disorder

• Jaw pain, soreness, or fatigue, often worse in the morning
• Clicking, popping, or grating when opening the mouth
• Difficulty or discomfort when chewing
• A jaw that locks or feels stuck
• Headaches, especially around the temples
• Ear pain, fullness, or ringing with no infection
• Facial muscle tightness and neck stiffness

What causes TMJ and jaw pain

Jaw pain usually has more than one contributor. Teeth clenching and grinding, often during sleep or stress, overload the joint and its muscles. Misalignment of the bite, past trauma to the jaw, and arthritis in the joint can also play a part.

Posture and the neck matter more than most people realize. Forward head posture changes how the jaw rests and how the muscles around it work, while tension in the upper neck can refer pain toward the jaw and face. Chronic stress ties it all together by keeping you clenched throughout the day.

It is common for several of these factors to build on one another. A stressful stretch at work leads to more clenching, which fatigues the jaw muscles, which then pull on an already tense neck. That is why lasting relief usually comes from addressing the whole chain rather than a single piece, and why a thorough evaluation looks at your bite, your stress habits, and your posture together.

How we help with TMJ at The Spine and Wellness Center

Our care is conservative, drug-free, and focused on the relationship between the jaw, neck, and posture. Dedicated TMJ treatment may include gentle work on the jaw muscles, soft-tissue release, and exercises to restore balanced movement to the joint.

Because the neck is so often involved, Dr. Cohen frequently pairs jaw-focused work with chiropractic care and neck pain treatment to relieve the upper-cervical tension that feeds jaw pain. Patients from Coral Springs, Parkland, Margate, and Coconut Creek appreciate a plan that treats the jaw and neck together rather than chasing one symptom at a time.

Self-care for TMJ you can try at home

• Eat softer foods and avoid gum during flare-ups
• Apply warm or cool compresses to the jaw muscles
• Practice resting the tongue gently with teeth slightly apart
• Become aware of and reduce daytime clenching
• Manage stress with breathing or gentle stretching
• Improve desk posture and keep screens at eye level

When to seek care in Coral Springs and Parkland

If jaw pain is persistent, your jaw locks, or chewing and talking are becoming difficult, an evaluation is worthwhile. Serving Coral Springs, Parkland, Boca Raton, and nearby Pompano Beach since 2005, The Spine and Wellness Center offers same-day appointments and accepts most major insurance. Call (954) 341-2256 or visit 5675 Coral Ridge Drive to have your jaw and neck assessed together.