Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and a slouched spine don’t just affect your back and neck—they can directly contribute to jaw pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Many people suffering from jaw tension or clicking joints overlook the role that posture plays in disrupting muscular and joint balance around the jaw, head, and neck. Understanding the postural link is key to long-term relief.
The Posture–Jaw Connection Explained
When the head is positioned forward (common in desk work, phone scrolling, and even poor gym technique), the weight of the head increases the load on the neck and upper back muscles. Over time, this shift alters the resting position of the mandible (jawbone).
Forward head posture causes the lower jaw to be pulled backwards and upwards, disrupting the alignment of the temporomandibular joint. This unnatural pressure can lead to:
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Jaw clicking or popping
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Facial tension and pain
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Limited jaw opening
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Tension headaches
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Neck stiffness or referred pain
This is why treating the jaw in isolation is rarely effective. The postural imbalance must be addressed to correct the muscular and joint dysfunction that feeds TMJ-related issues.
How Muscle Tension Builds Around the TMJ
When posture collapses, specific muscles are forced into chronic contraction:
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Masseter and Temporalis: These jaw-closing muscles become overactive, often leading to teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
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SCM (sternocleidomastoid): Shortened in forward head posture, contributing to facial pain and headaches.
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Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapulae: These carry the burden of holding the head up when posture fails, creating tension that radiates upward toward the jaw.
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Pterygoids (medial and lateral): Deep jaw muscles that become tight with clenching or abnormal bite mechanics due to postural shifts.
At Muscle Therapy By Tom in Slough, jaw pain is never treated as an isolated issue. Instead, treatments target the entire upper chain—jaw, neck, shoulders, and spine—to resolve the root cause of TMJ tension.
Why TMJ Symptoms Are Common in Desk Workers & Gym Goers
Sitting for long hours encourages forward posture, which increases jaw compression over time. But it’s not just office workers—TMJ pain is surprisingly common in gym users.
Improper posture during lifting (especially during overhead or pulling movements) can strain the upper neck and lead to jaw compensation. Clenching during exertion also spikes tension in the masseter and temporalis, contributing to TMJ overload.
Massage therapy and posture correction—especially for clients in The Gym Group Slough—are essential to relieve the muscular strain that builds silently over time.
The Role of Massage Therapy in TMJ & Posture Relief
Massage therapy works by:
✅ Releasing trigger points in overactive jaw and neck muscles
✅ Improving blood flow and reducing inflammation around the TMJ
✅ Restoring balance to deep postural muscles
✅ Teaching body awareness to prevent postural collapse
✅ Supporting realignment of the jaw and cervical spine through soft tissue release
Specialised techniques such as intraoral massage (with gloves), myofascial release, and deep neck muscle work are particularly effective. Tom provides this integrated therapy for TMJ clients, combining jaw release with posture correction strategies.
Posture Habits That Aggravate Jaw Pain
❌ Craning the head forward while working on a laptop
❌ Sleeping on one side with the head tilted or the jaw compressed
❌ Clenching the jaw under stress or during workouts
❌ Holding a phone between the shoulder and ear
❌ Using poor posture while driving or scrolling
By identifying these habits early, clients can prevent chronic TMJ issues from developing. Massage can undo the tension, but sustained relief comes from a combined strategy of treatment and awareness.
Signs Your Jaw Pain Is Posture-Related
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Jaw discomfort increases with sitting or screen time
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Clicking or popping worsens after a day of work
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Neck stiffness and jaw pain occur together
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You feel pressure behind the eyes, temples, or in the upper neck
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Symptoms improve with movement or after massage
Clients in Slough often report major relief after just one or two focused sessions with Tom—especially when treatment includes both the jaw and surrounding postural muscles.
📍 Muscle Therapy By Tom is based in The Gym Group Slough and specialises in postural correction, sports massage, and TMJ-focused therapy.
👉 Book your tailored treatment session today: www.muscletherapybytom.co.uk