Welland TMJ

If your jaw hurts… why am I looking at your tongue?

Because the place you feel the pain isn’t always the whole story.

Your tongue, jaw, lips, teeth, muscles, neck and airway don’t function independently. They work together — and when I’m assessing someone with jaw pain, clicking, clenching or tension, I’m interested in understanding how that entire system is functioning.

That includes things like tongue resting posture, swallowing, breathing, jaw movement and whether other muscles are stepping in to compensate.

Does that mean everyone with TMJ pain has a tongue problem?

Absolutely not.

It means I’m not satisfied simply finding the tight muscle and treating it with massage.

I want to understand why it might be tight in the first place.

That difference is at the heart of how I approach care at Welland TMJ:
Understand the WHY → Then we change it.

If you’ve been treating the same jaw pain or tension over and over and it keeps coming back, it may be time to look at the bigger picture.

📍 Welland | Serving Niagara
🔗 Comprehensive TMJ assessments available through the link in bio

Have you ever been told that everything looks normal — but your jaw still hurts?

You’re not imagining it.

X-rays and other types of imaging can give us incredibly valuable information, but different types of imaging show us different things. And some of the factors that can contribute to jaw pain are better understood by looking at how the jaw and surrounding system are functioning.

That’s why I don’t just look at where it hurts.
I look at jaw movement, muscle function, neck function, tongue function, breathing patterns, clenching habits and more to help put the pieces together.

I broke this down in much more detail in this month’s blog:
Why Your Dentist Says Everything Looks Normal... But Your Jaw Still Hurts
🔗 Read it at wellandtmj.ca

It’s not ‘just a jaw massage.’

Most people expect treatment right away.

But if you skip the evaluation, you’re just chasing symptoms.

TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is rarely caused by one thing.

Your jaw, tongue, breathing, and neck all play a role—
and until you understand how they’re working together, nothing really changes.

That’s why I start with a full assessment.

Manual treatment comes after if we find that it’s needed.

There’s always a reason - this is how we find it!

Practice Profile ✔️ finished

Part of being an RMT in Ontario means committing to ongoing learning, reflection, and accountability — not just technique.

This process reviews our understanding of professional standards, clinical decision-making, and safe practice, while also asking us to honestly assess where we can improve.

It’s not something patients usually see… but it plays a big role in the quality of care they receive.

Always refining. Always learning.

Jaw dysfunction symptoms can be frustrating — especially when they fluctuate or don’t fully resolve.

Not all TMD care is delivered the same way. Over time, I’ve found that meaningful change often requires more than a single appointment.

My approach prioritizes structured assessment, muscular influences, and habit-based patterns that can contribute to ongoing symptoms.

Rather than focusing on temporary relief alone, care is delivered through a clear treatment plan designed to support functional change over time.

We move intentionally.
We track progress.
We adjust as needed.

It isn’t rushed — it’s thoughtful, collaborative, and focused on long-term improvement.

If that approach resonates with you, I’d be glad to connect.

Dental care and muscular care don’t operate in isolation.

Many TMD presentations involve functional, muscular, and habit-based components that benefit from collaborative management.

I’m now offering in-clinic education sessions for dental teams interested in exploring:
• muscular influences in TMJD
• perpetuating factors
• conservative co-management approaches

If you’re a dental provider interested in strengthening interdisciplinary support for your TMD patients, I’m happy to connect.

Did you know research shows there can be a relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction and dizziness or vertigo?

Studies have found that people with TMJ‑related disorders are more likely to report otologic symptoms — including dizziness and vertigo — compared to those without TMJ symptoms, although the exact mechanism is still being investigated.

This may be due to the TMJ’s proximity to the inner ear and shared neural pathways.

Recently I had a patient with jaw pain who couldn’t lie flat for treatment because it triggered dizziness. Rather than proceeding the usual way, we modified the session using a massage chair — keeping her comfortable and safe while still addressing her TMJ dysfunction.

Your symptoms matter, and so does your comfort. If vertigo or dizziness affects your positioning, we’ll adapt your care to you — not the other way around. 💜

Not jaw/TMD related but clinic important…

Meet Slim
If you’re seeing me in person at the clinic, then you might see this guy.

Things to know…..
- He’s the bestest boy.
- He sometimes lets out a little bark when people walk in.
- He is NEVER allowed in the treatment room. I’m very aware of allergens.
- He will never be out of his crate when a someone is coming into the office.
- The clinic door is always locked if he is out of the crate.

If you’re coming to see me and you prefer I leave him at home…PLEASE tell me. YOU as my patient are my priority!

I’m also contacting people ahead of their appointments so there are no surprises.

I understand and respect everyone’s opinions when it comes to dogs in a workplace. I just like to have him with me once in a while 💜 🐾

TMJ care isn’t about quick fixes.

Jaw issues tend to develop over time — from habits, loading patterns, stress, posture, breathing, how the jaw is used day to day and even how we developed as children.

That’s why meaningful improvement usually requires a structured plan, not just symptom relief.

My approach focuses on understanding why your jaw is struggling and then guiding it through gradual change — with hands-on care, targeted exercises, and habit retraining.

It’s not rushed.
It’s not random.
It’s designed for lasting results.