If you're experiencing jaw pain or TMJ issues in Issaquah, WA, you know how it hijacks your entire day. Eating becomes a challenge. Talking hurts. Even smiling can trigger pain. Our patients describe the same pattern: clicking or popping when they open their mouth, relentless headaches, facial pain that radiates, stiffness that gets worse with stress or chewing. And here's what makes TMJ so frustrating—it keeps coming back, no matter what you try.
Here's what most people don't realize: your jaw pain isn't just a jaw problem—it's a head position problem. Yes, your lower jaw hinges from your skull, but your upper jaw? It's massively affected by where your head sits in space. When your head and neck are misaligned—when your head literally isn't on straight—your entire bite is thrown off. Every time you chew, talk, or clench, your jaw is fighting against a structural imbalance it can't win.
At The Balanced Spine, we don't just treat your jaw—we correct the head and neck alignment that's causing the problem. Our gentle QSM³ upper cervical technique precisely restores your head position to balance, which is absolutely critical for proper TMJ function. When your head is balanced on your neck and your spine is in an up and open position, your jaw can finally function the way it's designed to—without compensation, without strain, without pain. We collaborate closely with dentists and other healthcare professionals because we understand that TMJ issues often require a team approach—but here's the truth: no guard or splint will hold if your head isn't on straight. Get the head and neck corrected first, and everything else falls into place. That means eating, talking, and smiling without constant pain or worry.