Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles causing pain, discomfort, restricted movement or even cracking/clicking noises. This can interfere with daily activities like speaking and eating that impacts our quality of life.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jawbone (mandible) to the skull, allowing the movement required for talking, yawning and chewing. A TMJ disorder occurs when the joint becomes misaligned, damaged or inflamed leading to dysfunction and discomfort.
TMJ disorder can result from multiple factors, including:

• Jaw Injury: Trauma to the jaw or head can damage the TMJ, leading to chronic pain and dysfunction (Leeuw & Klasser, 2018).
• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Habitual clenching or grinding of teeth, especially during sleep, puts excessive stress on the jaw joint (Lobbezoo et al., 2018).
• Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the TMJ, causing inflammation and deterioration (Wright et al., 2016).
• Misalignment of the Jaw or Teeth: Uneven bite or dental issues can strain the TMJ (Pérez del Palomar & Doblaré, 2007).
• Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress can lead to jaw clenching, exacerbating TMJ symptoms (Manfredini et al., 2010).
• Poor Posture: Slouching or holding the head in a forward position for extended periods can contribute to jaw tension (Hiraba et al., 2017).

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or discomfort while eating
• Locking of the jaw joint
• Headaches or earaches
• Facial pain or swelling
• Neck and shoulder pain

Preventing TMJ Disorder
While TMJ disorder is not always preventable, some habits can reduce the risk or severity of symptoms:

• Maintaining good posture to avoid unnecessary jaw strain
• Practicing relaxation techniques to reduce stress-induced clenching
• Avoiding chewing gum or hard foods that overwork the jaw muscles
• Seeking prompt dental care for bite alignment issues.

TMJ disorder can be painful and disruptive, but understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options can empower individuals to manage it effectively.
 
See one of our Drs of Chiropractic at Sprouting Health for more advice and management options.
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References

• Hiraba, K., Hu, D., Kuroki, T., & Seno, A. (2017). Influence of head posture on the electromyographic activity of jaw-closing muscles. Clinical Biomechanics, 46, 93-98.
• Leeuw, R., & Klasser, G. D. (2018). Orofacial pain: Guidelines for assessment, diagnosis, and management. Quintessence Publishing.
• Lobbezoo, F., Ahlberg, J., Raphael, K. G., Wetselaar, P., Glaros, A. G., & Kato, T. (2018). International consensus on the assessment of bruxism: Report of a work in progress. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 45(11), 837-844.
• Manfredini, D., Lobbezoo, F., & Poggio, C. E. (2010). Correlation between stress and temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 37(6), 407-411.
• Pérez del Palomar, A., & Doblaré, M. (2007). Influence of dental occlusion on the biomechanical behavior of the temporomandibular joint disk. Journal of Biomechanics, 40(8), 1643-1652.
• Wright, E. F., North, S. L., & Nelson, C. J. (2016). Management and treatment of temporomandibular disorders: A clinical perspective. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 24(3), 157-167.

 

Back pain is often considered an issue for adults, but research shows that children and adolescents are also significantly affected. While their experience shares similarities with adults, there are key differences in prevalence, causes, and long-term impact.
 
Prevalence and First Occurrences
 
Studies indicate that about 50% of children will experience low back pain at some point, with 15% having frequent or persistent pain. First episodes commonly occur between 12-14 years old, and the likelihood increases with age. In contrast, adults have a higher annual prevalence (38%) compared to children (17.4%).(1-3)
 
Causes and Risk Factors
 
For children, back pain often arises from:
•           Sports-related injuries—Activities like gymnastics, wrestling, football, and dancing involve                     repeated spinal movements that increase risk.
•           Growth spurts—Periods of rapid growth can make the spine more vulnerable to stress.
•           Psychosocial factors—Stress, anxiety, and depression can contribute to back pain.
•           Lifestyle habits—Obesity and smoking are linked to a higher risk of pain.
 
Adults, however, experience back pain more frequently due to postural issues, degeneration, and disc problems. While children’s pain is often mechanical and injury-related, adults are more prone to chronic and degenerative conditions.
 
Activity Response and Chronic Pain Risk
 
A key difference is how children and adults respond to pain. Adults tend to reduce activity, which can lead to deconditioning and poor core strength, worsening the issue. Adolescents, however, are more likely to continue their activities, sometimes pushing through pain. Unfortunately, experiencing back pain as a teenager increases the likelihood of chronic pain in adulthood.(4)
 
Short summary
 
While children and adults share some common experiences with back pain, the underlying causes and long-term effects differ. Understanding these differences can help with early intervention and better management, reducing the risk of chronic pain in adulthood. Have a chat to one of our chiropractors to see how we can help manage your or your children’s symptoms

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References

1.         Hayden JA, Mior SA, Verhoef MJ. Evaluation of chiropractic management of pediatric patients with low back pain: a prospective cohort study. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2003;26(1):1-8.
2.         Kordi R, Rostami M. Low back pain in children and adolescents: an algorithmic clinical approach. Iranian Journal of Pediatrics. 2011;21(3):259.
3.         Hooten WM, Cohen SP, editors. Evaluation and treatment of low back pain: a clinically focused review for primary care specialists. Mayo clinic proceedings; 2015: Elsevier.
4.         Selhorst M, Selhorst B. Lumbar manipulation and exercise for the treatment of acute low back pain in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2015;23(4):226-33.

We know that children are more at risk of getting ear infections when they have been swimming a lot.
 
Ear infections, medically known as acute otitis media is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases in children and more than 20 million antibiotics are prescribed annually in the United States.[1],[2]
 
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is when there is fluid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of ear infection.[3]  
Acute otitis media (AOM) is when there is the presence of fluid in the middle ear in conjunction with recent or abrupt onset of signs of inflammation of the middle ear.[4]
Frequently, AOM is over diagnosed,[5] and failure to differentiate AOM from OME may be the most common cause of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions3 and may contribute to antibiotic-resistance.  AOM and OME both are upper respiratory tract infections, but children with AOM also have pain and fever.
The current recommendation for the treatment of AOM is to use an antibacterial agent (usually amoxicillin).[6] Antimicrobial therapy is not recommended for patients with OME because it typically resolves spontaneously. [7]
A literature review that looked at results from forty-nine articles concluded that it is possible that some children with AOM may benefit from spinal manipulation therapy or spinal manipulation therapy combined with other therapies. However, more rigorous studies are needed to provide evidence and a clearer picture for both practitioner and patients. [8]
So if you’d like to know more about if we may be able to help in the management of recurring ear infections along side your health team, please give our Practice a call.


References:
[1] American Academy of Family Physicians, & American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Otitis Media With Effusion. (2004). Otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics, 113(5), 1412-1429.
[2] American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Man- agement of Acute Otitis Media. Diagnosis and manage- ment of acute otitis media. Pediatrics 2004;113:1451-65.
[3] Steinbach, W. J., & Sectish, T. C. (2002). Pediatric resident training in the diagnosis and treatment of acute otitis media. Pediatrics, 109(3), 404-408.
[5] Pichichero, M. E., & Poole, M. D. (2001). Assessing diagnostic accuracy and tympanocentesis skills in the management of otitis media. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 155(10), 1137-1142.
[6] Subcommittee on Management of Acute Otitis Media. Diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics 2004;113:1451-65.

[7] Dowell SF, Schwartz B, Phillips WR. Appropriate use of antibiotics for URIs in children: part I. Otitis media and acute sinusitis. The Pediatric URI Consensus Team. Am Fam Physician 1998;58:1113-8, 1123.

[8] Pohlman, K. A., & Holton-Brown, M. S. (2012). Otitis media and spinal manipulative therapy: a literature review. Journal of chiropractic medicine, 11(3), 160-169.