Performing on stage, playing guitar for hours on end, and traveling on the road takes a heavy toll on a musician’s body. Between holding heavy instruments, poor posture during long gigs, and the physical strain of vocal performance, artists often end up suffering from severe spinal misalignments, upper back tension, and debilitating jaw issues.

In our latest patient feature at Nashville Neck & Back, country music singer-songwriter Tommy O’Keeffe stopped by our Goodlettsville office seeking relief. Dealing with a decade-long battle with severe TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain, locked jaw episodes, and chronic upper back tension under his shoulder blade, Tommy was ready for real, targeted chiropractic care.

The Physical Demands of a Nashville Musician

As an entertainer playing live shows downtown, traveling for rodeos, and spending long hours writing and rehearsing, Tommy came in with several interconnected physical challenges:

  • 10-Year History of Severe TMJ & Jaw Locking: Frequent clicking, popping, and painful jaw locking that interfered with speaking and singing.

  • Upper Back & Rhomboid Spasms: Intense tension between his spine and right shoulder blade, exacerbated by wearing a guitar strap and poor playing posture.

  • Restricted Neck Range of Motion: Severe stiffness when turning his head to the side, causing pulling through his trapezius and upper back.

Prior to his visit, Tommy had tried foam rolling at home, which often flared up his symptoms rather than relieving them.

At Nashville Neck & Back, Dr. Andy Roberts evaluated the root cause: posture-induced rhomboid strain compounded by severe bilateral TMJ dysfunction.

Step-by-Step Chiropractic Care & TMJ Adjustment

Dr. Andy performed a multi-phase treatment protocol to relieve Tommy’s chronic pain and restore full movement.

1. Rhomboid Trigger Point Release & Scapular Scraping

When posture pulls the shoulders forward—a common issue among guitarists and computer users—the rhomboid muscles become constantly stretched and inflamed. Dr. Andy utilized manual trigger-point therapy and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM scraping) under the scapula to break up deep scar tissue, bring fresh blood flow to the region, and calm down muscle spasms.

2. High-Impact Mid-Back & Lumbar Adjustments

Using an anterior “bear hug” maneuver, Dr. Andy unblocked stubborn thoracic vertebrae right between Tommy’s shoulder blades, delivering an instant release. Followed by side-posture lumbar adjustments, Tommy experienced immediate tension relief through his middle and lower spine.

3. Bilateral TMJ (Jaw) Adjustment

Despite suffering from TMJ for ten years, Tommy had never had his jaw adjusted.

Dr. Andy gently palpated and manipulated both sides of the temporomandibular joint. Delivering a precise, low-force adjustment directly to the jaw joint on both sides, Dr. Andy successfully realigned the jaw articulators, instantly releasing years of built-up pressure and joint restriction.

4. Full-Spine Y-Strap Decompression

To top off the session, Tommy underwent his first-ever Y-Strap adjustment for vertical spinal decompression.

As Dr. Andy applied the precise axial traction, a massive full-spine decompression rippled from Tommy’s neck all the way down toward his lower back.

“That was wild! It went all the way down… My head feels so much lighter!” Tommy shared immediately afterward.

Post-Adjustment Results: Immediate Freedom & Lighter Movement

Following his appointment, Tommy tested his range of motion and jaw mobility. His neck turned smoothly, his jaw opened without sharp pain or locking, and the heavy tension under his shoulder blade was dramatically reduced.

Whether you’re a performing artist, musician, athlete, or professional dealing with chronic jaw pain, headaches, or back stiffness in Greater Nashville, specialized chiropractic care can help you get back to performing at your peak.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Can a chiropractor adjust your jaw for TMJ and jaw pain?

Yes! Chiropractors trained in extremity and cranial adjustments can safely evaluate and adjust the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). By applying gentle manual pressure to realign the jaw joint and releasing surrounding masseter and pterygoid muscle tension, chiropractic care helps reduce jaw clicking, popping, locking, and localized pain.

Why do musicians and guitarists frequently get upper back and shoulder pain?

Guitarists and singers often hold asymmetrical posture for extended periods, wearing heavy instrument straps over one shoulder while looking down at frets or lyrics. This posture pulls the shoulder blades forward, chronically stretching and fatiguing the rhomboid and trapezius muscles until they go into painful spasms.

What is a Y-Strap adjustment, and is it safe for severe neck tension?

The Y-Strap is a manual spinal decompression tool designed to apply gentle, high-velocity, low-amplitude traction along the Y-axis of the spine. When performed by a licensed chiropractor, it decompresses tightly packed spinal discs, relieves nerve pressure, and provides deep relief for chronic neck and back tightness.

Where can I get TMJ and Y-Strap adjustments near Nashville, TN?

Dr. Andy Roberts provides specialized TMJ treatment, Y-Strap spinal decompression, and full-body chiropractic care at Nashville Neck & Back in Goodlettsville, TN, serving patients across Nashville, Madison, Hendersonville, and surrounding areas.