Fixed my jaw popping!

No amount of stretching or PT exercises/massage/or gua sha helped. Acupuncture would treat the pain but not the popping.

Then I learned in school (acupuncture) that in cases of TMJ dysfunction, one side of the jaw is often "strong" while the other side is relatively "weak."

I noticed that on the side of my jaw that pops out, the muscles were smaller and less developed than on the other side, and if I used my hand to assist the muscles and manually hold the joint in it wouldn't pop. And then on the other side where it doesn't pop, I had larger muscles that felt tighter. My pain is also mostly on the tighter/larger side of the jaw.

I figured that with the muscles being strong and tight on one side, and weaker on the other, that the one side was probably pulling the jaw out of whack, with the other not being able to hold the joint in place properly.

So, I bought a jaw exerciser (it's just a little piece of rubber you chew between your molars) - the kind that goes between the molars NOT the kind you grip between your front teeth, and began strengthening the weak side of my jaw.

I learned that our jaw muscles are fairly underdeveloped these days because we're not having to chew as much - many of our processed foods are quite soft.

Anyways I can safely say that after 3 years of my jaw popping out literally every time I open it, I am now able to open my mouth all the way and the joint stays in place.

I am over the moon.

Sharing in case it can help someone with a similar situation.