The Surprising Benefits of Chewing on Both Sides.

Which side do you chew on?

A simple, yet important question we ask all of our patients. Chewing on one side can be a factor in TMJD/TMD symptoms and dysfunction, correcting this habit is an easy and effective way to bring symmetrical function, reduce symptoms, and prevent further dysfunction in the head, jaw, ears, tongue and neck

Anatomically, the jaw is one bone and two joints; you can move your right arm independently of you left, but with the jaw, both sides move together and have an influence on one another. If for example, you chew mainly on the right side, the musculature on that side will become overdeveloped and dysfunctional, while the left side will become weak and often symptomatic. Over time, this habit can create muscle imbalances in the head, jaw, ears, tongue and neck.

At your next meal, or snack, pay attention to see if you favour one side for chewing. This month, we explore how symmetrical chewing supports muscular symmetry, jaw function, and rehabilitation outcomes. 

Why It Matters: A Rehabilitative Perspective

Your jaw muscles (masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids) work in coordination with muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper spine. Favouring one side with chewing on just one side can lead to:

• Tight, overdeveloped muscles on the side that is overworked with chewing

• Weakness on the opposite side which can present as pain, tension, clicking, headaches, tinnitus, etc

• Neuromuscular imbalances affecting the head, neck and jaw

• TMJ dysfunction, headaches, tinnitus, etc

By intentionally alternating chewing sides, we can retrain these systems and support recovery and realignment from the top down—literally. It might feel strange at first as your neuromuscular system adapts to this new side for chewing. Within a few weeks your body will adapt and it will feel natural, all the while your jaw issues should decrease. A simple, yet highly effective way to aid in your rehabilitation!! 

How From the Neck Up Can Help

Massage therapy is an effective partner in correcting chewing-related imbalances. At From the Neck Up, we target the dysfunctions associated with your symptoms to release chronic tension in the masticatory and cervical muscles

• Encourage muscular symmetry and reduce strain

• Support neuromuscular retraining in tandem with your chewing habits

  
  

Small Change, Big Impact

Here are simple ways to start:

✅ Pick a meal a day and chew on the underused side

✅ Minimize one-sided gum chewing

✅ Monitor for tension, clicking, or fatigue—and bring it up in your next session!