TMJ Dysfunction
Jaw pain, clicking, and tension often link to the neck and posture. We treat the whole picture for lasting relief.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull, and when it is not working well it can cause pain, clicking, and difficulty chewing. Because the jaw and upper neck are closely linked, lasting relief often requires addressing both.
The jaw-and-neck connection
The upper neck and jaw share muscles and nerve pathways, so neck pain, forward-head posture, and tension headaches frequently travel together with TMJ symptoms.
Our approach to TMJ
We assess the jaw, neck, and posture together, then use gentle chiropractic care and soft-tissue work to ease tension and restore balanced movement.
What it feels like — and why it happens.
Common symptoms
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking or popping when chewing
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Facial or temple tension
- Headaches and neck pain
- Jaw fatigue or locking
Common causes
- Jaw-muscle tension and clenching
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Upper-neck dysfunction
- Forward-head posture
- Stress
- Prior jaw or neck injury
Who’s at risk — and when to get checked.
Risk factors
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- High stress and muscle tension
- Forward-head posture and neck strain
- Prior jaw or neck injury
- Gum-chewing or heavy jaw use
- Poor sleep
When to seek care
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking, popping, or locking jaw
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Facial, temple, or neck tension
- Frequent headaches with jaw symptoms
- Jaw pain that disrupts eating or sleep
From problem to outcome.
A clear, four-part path — so you always understand what’s happening and what comes next.
The Problem
TMJ dysfunction involves imbalance and irritation in the jaw joint and its muscles, often compounded by upper-neck tension and forward-head posture.
How We Evaluate
We assess jaw movement and muscle tension alongside the upper neck and posture to identify all the factors contributing to your symptoms.
How We Treat It
Care combines gentle joint and soft-tissue techniques for the jaw and neck with posture work to reduce tension and restore balanced movement.
Expected Outcome
Many patients experience less jaw pain, clicking, and related headaches as jaw and neck function improve.
What progress looks like.
Every body is different, but here’s the general arc of care most patients follow.
Relief
Ease jaw and neck muscle tension.
Restore
Improve jaw motion and posture.
Reinforce
Habits to protect the jaw long term.
Questions about tmj dysfunction
Often, yes — particularly because the jaw and upper neck are so closely connected. Gentle care for the neck, jaw muscles, and posture can reduce tension and improve jaw movement. We coordinate with your dentist when needed.
The jaw and upper neck share muscles and nerve pathways, so dysfunction in one commonly affects the others. Treating them together tends to give better, longer-lasting relief.
Sometimes both. Dentists address the bite and dental factors, while we address the neck, posture, and muscle tension involved. We are happy to co-manage your care for the best outcome.
Connected care, connected answers.
Understanding the full picture helps you make confident decisions about your health.
Real stories from Forza patients.
Real Arlington Heights patients who came to Forza for relief — and found measurable, lasting results.
“I've had an outstanding experience with Dr. Drew at Forza Chiropractic. He is knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely takes the time to listen and provide personalized care. Every visit leaves me feeling better, and I appreciate how thorough he is in explaining my treatment and answering my questions. His staff is equally great, welcoming, and incredibly organized. They make every appointment smooth and stress-free while ensuring every detail is handled with care. If you're looking for a chiropractor who truly cares about his patients and has an amazing team supporting him, I highly recommend Dr. Drew and everyone at Forza Chiropractic!”
Jimmy MitchellGoogle review
“Dr. Drew Voelsch is an exceptional chiropractor. He is incredibly thorough, highly knowledgeable, and always on top of every detail regarding patient care. As a physician myself, I truly appreciate his professionalism, clinical expertise, and dedication to his patients. He is also extremely empathetic, has an excellent bedside manner, and communicates clearly and effectively. It is very evident that he genuinely cares about his patients and takes the time to make them feel heard and comfortable. I highly recommend Dr. Voelsch to anyone looking for a compassionate, skilled, and trustworthy chiropractor!”
Mavin WoundGoogle review
“The compassion, warmth, and thoughtfulness that Forza Chiropractic shows through their service went far above and beyond my expectations. The energy in the office is so uplifting and made me feel comfortable right away. I want to personally shout out Dr. Drew Voelsch for bringing me hope for positive change to my body and working with me to not only diagnose the issues, but also educate and prepare a customized treatment plan for me! He really made sure I understood my body well and was patient with me when I had any questions to ask. He had a response for everything and more, which supports the good work being done at Forza Chiropractic. My important takeaway when researching chiropractors in the area was finding someone who I could trust my life with and I feel like I could that with Dr. Drew in a heartbeat. Shoutout to Noe as well for going through the administrative process with me and patiently answering all of my questions! She makes sure you are well taken care of and probably the best office manager I've interacted with. I finished my 2-day consultation and can't wait to go through this restoration journey. Thank you for everything Forza family!”
Philip SongGoogle review
“Forza is one of the best chiropractic offices I've ever been to. Dr Drew and the team set you up with the tools both in office and at home to help you function your best. It's starts with going over x-rays and continues with check-ins and updates to your therapies based on where you are. Excited to continue life without migraines!”
Lisa ParrilliGoogle review
“Dr. Drew is absolutely outstanding! I came in with persistent neck issues that were affecting not only my day-to-day life but also keeping me off the golf course. From the very first visit, he took the time to understand my concerns and created a personalized treatment plan that truly made a difference. His expertise and attention to detail really stand out. Every adjustment felt purposeful, and he always took the time to explain what he was doing and why. Thanks to his care, my neck pain has improved significantly, and I’m finally back out on the golf course enjoying the game again. If you’re dealing with pain or looking for a chiropractor who genuinely cares about helping you get back to doing what you love, I can’t recommend Dr. Drew enough!”
Raghu SGoogle review
No stories in this category yet — see all patient stories above.
Questions about this treatment? We’ll call you.
Tell us the best time to reach you and a real member of our Arlington Heights team will call you back — no obligation, just clear answers.
- Pick the time that suits you — morning, afternoon or evening
- A real member of our Arlington Heights team calls you back
- No obligation — just answers to your treatment questions
Let’s find out what’s really causing it.
Book a comprehensive assessment and get a clear, honest answer — plus a plan to move forward.