TMJD Chiropractic Care in La Jolla

Do you experience jaw pain, clicking, popping, or tension in your face or neck? Maybe you’ve been told you have TMJD—or temporomandibular joint dysfunction—but aren’t sure what to do next. These symptoms can feel frustrating, especially when they start to affect your sleep, your ability to eat, or your daily comfort.

TMJD refers to an imbalance or dysfunction in the joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. When these joints are irritated or misaligned, they can trigger a wide range of symptoms—including headaches, migraines, ear pain, neck stiffness, and facial tension. You may even notice dizziness or clicking sounds when you open your mouth.

The good news? You don’t have to live with the discomfort.

At Brain Health D.C., just a short drive from La Jolla, Dr. Nisreen Tayebjee offers a gentle, neurologically-informed approach to TMJD treatment. Blending chiropractic care, functional neurology, and integrative therapies, she helps patients relieve jaw tension, calm the nervous system, and correct the root causes of TMJD—without medication or invasive procedures.

What Is TMJD?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull—located just in front of each ear. This joint plays a vital role in everyday functions like talking, chewing, yawning, and even expressing emotion through facial movement. It’s one of the most complex joints in the body, designed for both strength and flexibility.

When something disrupts the harmony of the TMJ, it can lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD)—a condition that causes pain, restriction, and irritation in the jaw and surrounding structures.

What Can Go Wrong in TMJD?

Joint misalignment between the jaw and skull
Muscle tension or overuse, especially in the face, neck, or upper shoulders
Disc displacement inside the TMJ, leading to clicking or locking
Nerve sensitivity, where irritated nerves begin to trigger pain beyond the jaw

Common Causes of TMJD Include:

Stress, which can lead to unconscious jaw clenching or grinding
Bruxism (teeth grinding), especially during sleep
Head or jaw trauma, including whiplash or dental procedures
Poor posture, particularly forward head posture from screens or devices
Jaw imbalance, such as uneven bite or dental misalignment

Signs & Symptoms of TMJD

TMJD symptoms can be subtle at first, but they often become more disruptive over time—especially if left unaddressed. What makes TMJD especially frustrating is that it doesn’t just affect the jaw; because the jaw joint is so closely connected to the head, neck, ears, and nervous system, its dysfunction can ripple throughout the body.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, your jaw joint may be part of the problem:

Jaw pain or tenderness, especially near the ears or when opening the mouth
Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw during chewing, talking, or yawning
Headaches or migraines, particularly around the temples or behind the eyes
Earaches or a feeling of fullness or pressure—without signs of infection
Facial or neck pain, often caused by muscle tension and joint misalignment
Difficulty chewing or feeling fatigued during meals
Dizziness or vertigo, which can result from tension or nerve involvement in the jaw and upper cervical spine

These symptoms are often misdiagnosed or misunderstood, which is why Dr. Nisreen takes time to truly listen to your experience, perform thorough assessments, and create a plan that addresses both the cause and the effect of your discomfort.

Dr. Nisreen’s Chiropractic Approach to TMJD

Functional Chiropractic Care

Using gentle, targeted techniques, Dr. Nisreen addresses misalignments not only in the jaw itself but also in the neck, upper spine, and cranial bones. These areas all work together to support jaw function and, when misaligned, can contribute to muscle tension, nerve irritation, and joint dysfunction.

Functional Neurology Integration

TMJD isn’t just a mechanical problem—it often involves the nervous system’s response to stress and chronic tension. Dr. Nisreen evaluates and supports the neurological input around the jaw, helping to calm hypersensitive nerves and restore proper communication between the brain and muscles of the jaw and face.

Neuromuscular Release Techniques

Through specific soft tissue therapies, Dr. Nisreen releases tension in the muscles surrounding the jaw, head, and neck. This can dramatically reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent clenching and grinding patterns that often fuel TMJD.

Cranial Adjustments & Gentle Jaw Mobilization

Using gentle, hands-on cranial techniques, Dr. Nisreen relieves pressure in the skull and supports alignment of the temporomandibular joint itself. She also provides safe, non-invasive jaw mobilizations to encourage smooth, pain-free motion and help retrain proper mechanics.

Comprehensive Evaluation & Individualized Care

At Brain Health D.C., no two TMJD cases are treated the same. Dr. Nisreen’s first step is always to listen—carefully and completely—because your story matters and your symptoms are signals, not random occurrences.

She performs a comprehensive, full-body assessment that goes beyond just the jaw, including:

Jaw function: range of motion, symmetry, and joint mechanics
Posture and spinal alignment, especially in the neck and upper back
Bite mechanics and muscle patterns in the face, neck, and shoulders
Neurological input and regulation, assessing how your brain processes tension and pain

Advanced Functional Assessments

To gain deeper insight, Dr. Nisreen may also use:

Right Eye Tracking to evaluate visual and neurological coordination
Btracks Balance Testing to assess how jaw tension may be affecting balance and posture
HRV (Heart Rate Variability) Testing to understand stress responses and vagal tone—key components of jaw tension and pain sensitivity

This approach allows Dr. Nisreen to develop a personalized care plan rooted in the root cause, not just symptom management. Whether your TMJD is related to stress, structure, neurology—or all three—you’ll receive a clear, integrative plan designed to bring relief, balance, and long-term resilience.

Additional Therapies for TMJD Relief

Low-Level Laser Therapy (Cold Laser)

This gentle, non-invasive light therapy targets inflammation deep within the jaw and surrounding tissues. It promotes cellular healing, reduces swelling, and eases discomfort—especially helpful for chronic or post-traumatic TMJD.

Motion Guidance

This cutting-edge visual feedback tool helps retrain jaw, head, and neck movement patterns. By seeing how your body moves in real-time, you’ll develop better awareness and coordination—key to preventing future flare-ups.

Myofascial Release & Cupping Therapy

Tension in the muscles and fascia of the face, jaw, and neck can pull joints out of alignment and increase pain. Dr. Nisreen uses targeted soft tissue techniques to gently release these restrictions, improve circulation, and ease chronic tightness.

Nutritional Support

Healing happens faster when the body is well-nourished. Dr. Nisreen may recommend anti-inflammatory dietary strategies and nutrients like magnesium, collagen, or omega-3s to support connective tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and optimize nervous system function.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for TMJD

Alleviates Jaw Pain and Tension

By realigning the jaw, neck, and upper spine, chiropractic adjustments help reduce muscle strain and joint pressure, two of the most common sources of TMJD-related discomfort.

Improves Jaw Function and Mobility

Targeted adjustments and mobilizations can restore smooth, pain-free motion to the temporomandibular joint, reducing clicking, locking, and fatigue when talking or chewing.

Supports Nervous System Regulation

Misalignment in the cervical spine and jaw can irritate cranial and spinal nerves, leading to pain, headaches, and even dizziness. Chiropractic care helps calm these nerve pathways, improving communication between the brain and body.

Reduces Associated Symptoms

Because the jaw is interconnected with so many other systems, adjusting and balancing this area can relieve related issues like:

Headaches and migraines
Ear pain or fullness
Neck and upper shoulder stiffness
Facial tension and stress-related clenching

Prevents Future Flare-Ups

By addressing the root causes—postural imbalance, muscle overuse, and joint dysfunction—chiropractic care helps prevent the recurrence of TMJD symptoms and supports long-term resilience.

Complements Whole-Body Wellness

With Dr. Nisreen’s integrative approach, TMJD care isn’t just about the jaw—it’s about creating harmony in the entire body. Chiropractic care fits beautifully into a broader plan that may include functional neurology, soft tissue therapy, and lifestyle support.

Ready to Relieve Your Jaw Pain and Reclaim Comfort?

Living with TMJD can feel exhausting—but you don’t have to manage it alone or settle for temporary relief. With the right support, you can find long-term healing, restore function, and feel like yourself again.

At her integrative clinic near La Jolla, Dr. Nisreen Tayebjee offers compassionate, neurologically-informed care to help you address the root causes of TMJD and create lasting results—naturally and gently.

Let’s get to the root of your discomfort—together.

👉 Book Your TMJD Consultation Today

Meet Dr. Nisreen
https://www.brainhealthdc.com/dr-nisreen

Explore Chiropractic Services
https://www.brainhealthdc.com/services

What to Expect at Your First Visit
https://www.brainhealthdc.com/first-visit

📧 Email: infochiro@fitnessgenome.net
📞 Call: (858) 208-0710
📍 Visit us: 1905 Calle Barcelona, Suite 234, Carlsbad, CA 92009