If you have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), you’re familiar with the painful locking and clicking of your jaw when you open it. But did you know that your posture might be limiting your jaw mobility?
In this video, Point Performance’s Sara Squires, DPT, demonstrates how poor posture can affect and worsen TMJ. First she assumes correct posture with her shoulders down and chin tucked, standing nice and straight. In this position, she is able to fully open her mouth and has no clicking of the jaw. However, when she slouches and her head moves forward, her jaw visibly pops when opening. Your physical therapist can assess your posture to see if it is agitating your TMJ and help you build postural endurance.