We help Des Moines patients find lasting relief from TMJ and jaw pain with personalized chiropractic care and non-invasive treatment.
Located inside MercyOne Health Plaza
Get the care you need sooner
We make care accessible
Pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, neck or shoulders
Clicking, popping or grinding when you open or close your mouth
Trouble opening your mouth wide
Jaw locking open or closed
A change in how your teeth fit together
Headaches or earaches, sometimes with dizziness
Muscle spasms in the jaw or neck
Tired or stiff jaw muscles after chewing or talking
At DSM Core Chiropractic + Pain Therapy, our goal is to ease tension in the muscles that guide your jaw and help it open, close and chew normally again.
TMJ pain affects the jaw joint just in front of your ear. Most cases build over time from grinding, clenching or a lot of gum chewing, which can make the jaw muscles tight and uneven. Other times it starts suddenly after a big yawn, a hard bite or a hit to the face. Here’s the thing: many jaw muscles attach to the neck, so we treat both. TMJ also often goes along with headaches. Many patients find real relief through conservative, hands-on care.
Deep tissue therapy to loosen the tight muscles and fascia that balance and guide the jaw.
Hands-on work on the neck muscles that share attachments with the jaw and add to TMJ pain.
Gentle adjustments to the jaw joint and neck to improve how they move.
Simple exercises to retrain the jaw, which are key for long-term relief.
Tips on clenching, grinding, chewing habits and posture to help prevent future flare-ups.
Many cases of TMJ respond well to conservative care, but some need a closer look. If necessary, we can order diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or MRI scans to better understand what’s causing your pain.
If chiropractic care is not the best option for your condition, we will coordinate care and refer you to a trusted specialist within our network so you get the right treatment at the right time.
Get emergency care right away if your jaw pain comes with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath or sweating. These can be signs of a heart problem.
Our team is here to help you get back to doing what you love. Same-day appointments are often available.
We provide care for patients throughout Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Clive, Waukee, and surrounding communities.
Iowa's only hospital-based chiropractic clinic, located inside MercyOne Health Plaza.
We work closely with medical providers to create a personalized plan designed around your goals and overall health.
Our goal is to reduce your pain, improve your function, and help you stay active for the long term.