Jaw Misalignment Linked to Chronic Back Pain, Study Finds

Many individuals suffering from chronic back pain may be looking in the wrong place for answers. A recent case highlights how jaw misalignment can lead to discomfort not just in the jaw but throughout the body, including the back. This revelation emerged from the experiences of Abhay Rajan, a 30-year-old resident of Hyderabad, India, who struggled for years with pain that seemed to originate from his spine.

After extensive examinations by orthopaedic specialists and neurologists yielded no solutions, Rajan stumbled upon a video by American postural educator Neal Hallinan. The video discussed the relationship between jaw asymmetry and overall posture. Intrigued, Rajan decided to try a simple test demonstrated by Hallinan, moving his jaw slightly left and forward. To his surprise, he felt a significant release of tension down his right side, accompanied by a popping sound near his ear. “Everything relaxed from my neck to my toes,” he recalled. “I had been treating the wrong place all these years.”

The joint involved, known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), connects the jaw to the skull and is critical for proper alignment. When misaligned, it can create a ripple effect throughout the body, distorting muscle chains that extend through the head, neck, and spine. According to Dr. Kishore Govardhan, an orthodontist and head of TMJ Hyderabad, many patients arrive with symptoms such as ear pain, headaches, and shoulder tension, often after consulting various specialists without finding a cause. “When none of them finds a cause, the patient starts believing it’s all in their head,” he stated.

The relationship between dental health and overall body posture is increasingly gaining attention. Dr. Govardhan explains that the teeth serve as pillars for the skull. If a person’s bite is misaligned, their body compensates, leading to changes in posture, with effects that can extend to the back and beyond. Chronic habits like jaw clenching and nighttime grinding, often attributed to stress, may signal deeper issues related to jaw alignment.

Rajan’s story illustrates the intricate connection between jaw health and physical well-being. Years of compensatory adjustments due to previous ankle injuries and pelvic tilt led to a noticeable weight imbalance. This unevenness caused tightness to develop, affecting not only his back but also his eye and shoulder. Although physiotherapy provided temporary relief, it was only after receiving a temporary orthotic from a dentist to correct his bite that Rajan experienced lasting improvement. “It sounds unreal,” he said, “but the jaw really controls the whole body.”

Research supports the link between jaw alignment and postural health. Studies on the postural restoration model, championed by Hallinan, reveal that the body functions as a system of asymmetries. Correcting one aspect, such as breathing patterns or jaw positioning, can significantly influence the rest of the body’s posture. Physiotherapists in Hyderabad are beginning to adopt this integrative approach, incorporating dental splints, breathing exercises, and pelvic alignment techniques.

Despite the promising findings, awareness of these connections remains limited. Many clinics continue to regard TMJ as primarily a dental issue rather than a postural disorder. This often leaves patients like Rajan navigating a labyrinth of diagnoses, suffering from symptoms such as neck spasms, sciatica, and anxiety, while the real cause may be just centimeters from their ear.

Chronic pain can deeply affect a person’s life, as Rajan attests. An avid climber and musician, he found that his pain hindered his ability to engage in the activities he loved. He described a sense of losing himself to the discomfort, stating, “It was like I could barely recognize myself. That pain had taken over my entire being.”

Rajan’s experience is a reminder of the complex interplay between different parts of the body and the importance of a holistic approach to health. As he began to find relief, he appreciated the profound impact that even minor adjustments could have on his life. “When it finally begins to ease, even a small relief feels like getting your life back,” he concluded.

The journey to understanding how jaw alignment affects overall health is ongoing, but for individuals like Abhay Rajan, it marks a significant turning point in their treatment and recovery.