Ergonomics & TMJ: How Posture Affects Your Jaw Health

Most people think of TMJ as jaw clicking or clenching, but posture and ergonomics play a major role in jaw health. Hours at a desk or on your phone can strain alignment, increasing pain and tension. At Health Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, we help improve posture and ergonomics to ease TMJ pain, headaches, and muscle tightness.

Common Ergonomic Triggers for TMJ :

Certain everyday habits can unknowingly irritate the TMJ:

Working long hours at a laptop without proper support

Sitting in a chair with no lumbar or neck support

Ergonomic Tips to Protect Your TMJ :

Making small adjustments to your workspace and daily habits can bring big relief:

Screen at eye level – Keep your monitor high enough to avoid slouching forward.
Supportive chair – Use a chair with lumbar and neck support to align your spine.
Feet flat – Rest your feet on the floor, not tucked under you.
Relax shoulders – Keep them down and back to reduce neck strain.
Stretch breaks – Every 30–60 minutes, move your neck, shoulders, and jaw.
Phone posture – Hold your phone at eye level instead of looking down.

How Physical Therapy Helps TMJ :

At Health Plus PT, our team provides:

Posture training to reduce jaw and neck stress

Manual therapy to relieve tight muscles around the TMJ

Jaw and neck exercises for long-term comfort

Ergonomic guidance tailored to your work and lifestyle

By combining proper ergonomics with specialized TMJ treatment, patients often notice less jaw pain, improved mobility, and better overall posture.

In Summary