Chiropractic & The Jaw

The head, neck and jaw are closely linked biomechanically and neurologically. Biomechanically the jaw is attached to the head, and the head is attached to the spine. When you contract certain shoulder and neck muscles research has shown that the jaw muscle contractions will also increase.

The way your spine works influences the function of your jaw

Jaw Research Study

Scientists from New Zealand worked with a jaw expert and his team in Turkey and looked at what happened to jaw strength immediately following a chiropractic adjustment session. What the scientists found was that after the real chiropractic session the subjects were able to bite with over 10 % more force!

Jaw and Spine Influence

Although this was only a small study, this was a really interesting finding, and it might mean that the jaw and the spine influence each other more than we have previously realised. Keep this in mind next time you have any neck or jaw issues!

References

  1. Chinappi AS, Jr., Getzoff H. Chiropractic/dental cotreatment of lumbosacral pain with temporomandibular joint involvement. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1996;19(9):607-12. [published Online First: 1996/11/01]
  2. Chinappi AS, Jr., Getzoff H. A new management model for treating structural-based disorders: dental orthopedic and chiropractic co-treatment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1994;17(9):614-9. [published Online First: 1994/11/01]
  3. Giannakopoulos NN, Hellmann D, Schmitter M, et al. Neuromuscular interaction of jaw and neck muscles during jaw clenching. J Orofac Pain 2013;27(1):61-71. doi: 10.11607/jop.915 [published Online First: 2013/02/21]
  4. Catanzariti JF, Debuse T, Duquesnoy B. Chronic neck pain and masticatory dysfunction. Joint Bone Spine 2005;72(6):515-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2004.10.007 [published Online First: 2005/10/18]
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  6. Hagberg C. EMG versus force relationship in painful masseter muscles before and after intramuscular anesthetics and saline injections. Scand J Dent Res 1987;95(3):259-65. [published Online First: 1987/06/01]
  7. Hu JW, Yu XM, Vernon H, et al. Excitatory effects on neck and jaw muscle activity of inflammatory irritant applied to cervical paraspinal tissues. Pain 1993;55(2):243-50. [published Online First: 1993/11/01]
  8. Leandri M, Gottlieb A, Cruccu G. Head extensor reflex evoked by trigeminal stimulation in humans. Clin Neurophysiol 2001;112(10):1828-32. [published Online First: 2001/10/12]