Can Improving Your Neck Posture Help Your Jaw? New Research Says: Yes

Most people don’t realize how closely the neck and jaw are connected. If your head sits forward—something we see often with phone and computer use—it puts strain on the neck and can also affect how your jaw works. A new clinical study looked at whether correcting this “forward head posture” with spinal traction could help people with TMJ problems (jaw pain, clicking, stiffness).

The Study at a Glance

• Who: 21 young adults with TMJ dysfunction.

• What they tested:
  

• One group received standard TMJ care (exercises, education, supportive therapy).

• The other group got the same TMJ care plus a special spinal traction device designed to gently stretch the neck back into better alignment.

• Schedule: 3 times per week for 6 weeks.

• What was measured: Jaw pain, jaw movement, TMJ symptom scores, and head/neck posture.

The Results

• Both groups improved: Less jaw pain and easier movement after 6 weeks of care.

• Traction group improved more:
  

• Better correction of forward head posture.

• Bigger improvement in overall TMJ symptom scores.

• Pain relief and jaw opening were similar in both groups, but the traction group had the edge in posture correction and symptom reduction.

Why This Matters

Your jaw and neck don’t work in isolation. Poor posture in the neck changes how the jaw joint functions. By adding cervical (neck) traction to a care plan, the study showed patients had extra improvement in TMJ symptoms compared to standard TMJ care alone.

Takeaway

If you’re dealing with jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness, the solution may not just be in your jaw—it may start in your neck. Correcting forward head posture with spinal traction could be a key part of getting lasting relief and better function.

Next Step

If you’ve been struggling with TMJ issues, we can assess your posture, spine, and jaw function to see if this kind of care could benefit you.

Book your consultation today and find out if posture-based chiropractic and spinal traction could help your jaw work the way it should.

References:

Moustafa IM, Diab AA, Shousha TM, Hegazy FA, Harrison DE. Does forward head posture correction improve temporomandibular joint dysfunction? A pilot randomized trial using a cervical extension traction orthotic. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):6648. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-80377-3.