TMJ stands for the Temporo-Mandibular Joint, an important joint formed by your skull and your jawbone. It uses the muscles needed for you to open and close your mouth and acts as a sliding hinge that allows for side-to-side movement. A disc of cartilage separates the bones of the joint to keep your jaw movement smooth. When the muscles become irritated, the joints are displaced and the smoothness is interrupted, causing popping, clicking, muscle tenderness, joint tenderness, clenching, teeth grinding, as well as the inability to open your mouth all the way. With the TMJ connected to the spinal system, you can have your TMJ aligned and monitored through chiropractic support to ensure that pressure is being alleviated from your face, head, and teeth.