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TMJ Treatment in Naperville

Effective TMJ Treatment in Naperville

The temporomandibular joint acts as a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull and facilitating every word you speak and every bite you take. When this intricate system of muscles, ligaments, and bones falls out of alignment, the resulting dysfunction can be debilitating.

While many attempt to manage the discomfort with mouthguards or pain medication, these are often temporary masks for a mechanical issue. True relief requires a functional approach that addresses the structural imbalances of the jaw and the cervical spine.

At Action Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center, we move beyond surface-level fixes to restore the mechanical integrity of your bite and posture.

What Are TMJ Disorders and Dysfunction?

When your jaw feels tight, locked, or produces an audible “click” every time you speak or chew, you’re experiencing a breakdown in one of the most complex joint systems in your body. TMJ Dysfunction (TMD) is a multifaceted condition that targets the temporomandibular joint and the intricate network of muscles responsible for jaw movement.
For many of you, the symptoms extend far beyond a simple popping sensation. You may find yourself struggling with:
  • Radiating Facial Pain:Discomfort that spreads from the joint into your cheeks and temples.
  • Persistent Earaches:A feeling of fullness or ringing (tinnitus) despite having healthy ears.
  • Chronic Tension Headaches: Intense pressure that often mimics migraines and resists standard over-the-counter relief.
One of the most overlooked aspects of your recovery is the relationship between your jaw and your upper cervical spine. Because these structures are neurologically and mechanically linked, a misalignment in your neck can force your jaw to compensate. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle of tension and restricted mobility.
If you have tried mouthguards or pain medications without lasting success, it’s likely because the root mechanical cause hasn’t been addressed. Our approach focuses on breaking that cycle. By identifying how your posture, neck alignment, and muscular health influence your jaw function, we provide the targeted, high-performance care necessary to restore your range of motion.

Reasons Behind Jaw and Joint Failure

Jaw dysfunction rarely occurs in a vacuum. It’s typically the result of accumulated physical stress or acute trauma.
Common contributors include:
  • Micro-Trauma:Repetitive behaviors such as teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching during high-stress activities can overtax the joint.
  • Cervical Misalignment:The posture of the neck directly influences jaw mechanics. A forward head posture puts immense strain on the muscles under the chin, forcing the jaw to compensate.
  • Joint Erosion:The small, shock-absorbing disk that keeps jaw movement smooth can erode or move out of its proper alignment.
  • Muscle Hypertonicity:Overactive masseter and pterygoid muscles can pull the jaw out of center, leading to uneven wear and tear.

Personalized Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ

At Action Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center, the focus is on rapid functional restoration rather than lifelong symptom management. A specialized chiropractor for TMJ looks beyond your jaw to find the root cause of the mechanical failure. Effective TMJ treatment in Naperville begins with a comprehensive assessment of the craniomandibular complex.
Our clinical approach utilizes targeted chiropractic adjustment for TMJ to restore proper motion to your joint. We pair it with Active Release Techniques (ART) and Myofascial Release to address the “gluey” scar tissue and hyper-tension in the jaw muscles.
By releasing the internal and external pterygoids, we allow the joint to track naturally without clicking or catching.
As you consult with our chiropractors for TMJ care, the approach shifts from a state of restricted “guarding” to one of fluid, pain-free performance. Whether your goals are related to athletic breathing efficiency or simply enjoying a meal without discomfort, our high-performance care model delivers measurable results quickly.
We don’t believe in long-term, passive care plans. We believe in fixing the mechanics so you can get back to your life. Speak with us today and start your journey to better health.

Serving Our Community In:

  • Aurora

  • Naperville

  • Wheaton

Dr. Norgaard’s first exposure to chiropractic was when he was a high school football player at Neuqua Valley in Naperville, Illinois. Nagging injuries led him to Action Chiropractic and Dr. Durnas. He was amazed with the results he got and knew that the treatments provided at Action Chiropractic were the best way to address his ailments.
After high school, Dr. Norgaard left Naperville and attended Central College in Pella, Iowa. While at Central, he majored in biology and played football, further piquing his interest in sports injuries and how to treat them. When he wasn’t in the classroom or on the football field, Dr. Norgaard spent his time volunteering at hospitals, and at various clinics. This is when he really developed a passion for helping people get better.
His experiences as an athlete, chiropractic patient, and volunteer shaped his decision to become a chiropractor.
After graduating from Central, Dr. Norgaard continued his education at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
While at Palmer, Dr. Norgaard took several extracurricular courses focusing on spinal diagnosis and therapy, soft tissue care, and diagnosis and treatment of the extremities. He completed a 4-month internship with Dr. Durnas at Action Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center and further developed his skills as a physician.
He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Palmer in October of 2021 and received the Academic Excellence Award.
After graduation, Dr. Norgaard joined the team at Action Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center. He currently resides in the Naperville area with his wife, Shannon, son, Parker, and dog, Alby.
“I chose to become a chiropractor because I was helped by chiropractic. I was in such discomfort it took me over 3 minutes to put on my socks. After seeing a chiropractor, and regaining the ability to tie my shoes, I realized that taking loads of NSAIDs did not address the fact that there was something causing the pain. The more I learned about it, I found that Chiropractic doesn’t just hide symptoms, like I was trying to do with pills, it fixes the origin of the problem.”
Dr. Durnas graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology and Bachelors of Arts degree in Chemistry. After graduation he worked in research and development for 3 years and dabbled in powerlifting and professional wrestling. That’s what lead him to chiropractic school. While at Palmer College of Chiropractic, he focused on learning how to best help the athlete. He took several extracurricular courses on how to address soft tissue injuries, how to adjust extremities, and how to better manage sports injuries. He graduated in June of 2012, where we were the Palmer Clinical Excellence Award winner and a keynote speaker at commencement.
In 2019, Dr. Durnas earned his Diplomate from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP)®. He is only the 427th chiropractor in history to earn this designation, and only the 6th recipient in the history of Illinois. He completed over 300 hours of classroom and online courses focusing on in depth on the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, concussions, and emergency procedures, and had over 100 on the field hours with athletes that ranged from cross fitters, professional and high school football players, professional BMX and Motocross riders, triathletes, and runners. Dr. Durnas passed a 6-part practical exam and a 250 question Board exam and contributed a case study involving nerve damage in a professional athlete following a hit to the shoulder.