When you are working an office job or spending time resting at home, it can be easy to forget and neglect to maintain proper posture. Doing so can do more than just result in a sore back. It can cause issues all throughout your body. It can even contribute to TMD pain. Continue reading to learn about the connection between posture and TMD and some ways to improve your posture altogether.
How Does Posture Affect the TMJ?
Many people don’t realize that having poor posture can be a huge contributing factor to TMJ pain. This is because pain of the TMJ can be caused by alignment issues – especially in the neck and shoulders. Since the temporomandibular joints are delicately balanced, poor posture and alignment can result in the jaw joints becoming misaligned, popping, cramping, or spasming. By improving your posture, you may be able to reduce discomfort.
How to Improve Posture
Here are some of the ways that you can improve your posture while sitting, standing, and moving around:
• Sitting: As much as many of us like to remain active, if you have an office job or go to school, you likely spend much of your time sitting around. Proper posture while sitting involves keeping the spine and body upright while maintaining the natural inward curve of the lower back with the pelvis slightly tilted forward. This reduces pressure on the spinal discs. The head and neck should stay upright over the spine with the shoulder back. The hips and legs should be symmetrical.
• Standing: Proper standing posture is similar to a sitting posture in which the head and neck should be upright and aligned over the spine with the shoulders back. However, since the curve of the lower back is increased in standing, the pelvis should be level, without being tilted anteriorly or posteriorly.
• Moving: When moving, it’s important to keep your joints properly supported and aligned. Your feet and ankles should be maintained in a neutral position. Your knees should be aligned with your hips and ankles. Your spine should be stabilized so it’s not excessively slouched or arched. Wearing supportive footwear and maintaining a healthy weight are other important steps to consider.
Proper posture when sitting, standing, and moving helps to keep your head, neck, and jaw in the right position, potentially reducing TMJ pain. By talking to your dentist and working on your posture, you can get some relief!
About the Author
Dr. Bobby Carmen is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more than 20 years. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, Oklahoma Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Norman, visit his website or call (405) 364-2200.