Jaw Pain & TMJ
A sore, clicking or tight jaw often travels with neck tension and headaches. We look at all three.
Understanding Jaw Pain & TMJ
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) sit just in front of your ears and work every time you talk, chew or yawn. When they're irritated you might notice aching in the jaw or cheek, clicking or popping when you open your mouth, a jaw that feels tight or tired by the end of the day, or pain that spreads towards the ear or temple.
Jaw problems rarely happen on their own. Clenching or grinding, especially during stressful periods or overnight, puts constant load on the jaw muscles. Forward head posture changes where the jaw sits at rest. And the upper neck and jaw share nerve pathways, so neck stiffness and jaw pain often turn up together, sometimes with headaches as well.
Chiropractors aren't dentists, and some jaw problems need dental care, such as a night splint or a bite check. What we can do is assess how your jaw, neck and posture are working together and offer gentle hands-on care for the muscles and joints involved. Where it makes sense, we'll work alongside your dentist.
Common symptoms
- Aching in the jaw, cheek or in front of the ear
- Clicking, popping or grinding when you open or close your mouth
- A jaw that feels tight, tired or hard to open fully
- Pain when chewing, yawning or talking for a long time
- Clenching or grinding, often noticed in the morning
- Jaw pain that comes with neck stiffness or headaches
How chiropractic may help
We assess how your jaw opens and closes, feel the muscles of the jaw, temple and neck, and check the movement of your upper neck and posture. Care may include gentle release of the jaw and neck muscles, low-force adjusting of the jaw and upper neck, and simple exercises to help your jaw move more smoothly. We'll also talk about habits that load the jaw, like clenching during the day, chewing gum, or how you sit at a screen. Results vary between individuals. If we think a dental opinion would help, we'll suggest it.
What to expect at Banora Chiropractic
We'll ask about when your jaw pain started, whether you clench or grind, any dental work or injuries, and whether you get neck pain or headaches too. The examination is gentle and includes watching your jaw move, checking the muscles around it and assessing your neck. We'll explain what we find and whether we think chiropractic care is likely to be useful for you. If your jaw locks, you have significant swelling, or your symptoms point to a dental cause, we'll refer you to your dentist or GP.
Get Help With Jaw Pain & TMJ
Book an assessment and let us help you understand what is going on.
Book Online Call (07) 5599 2322Related Services
Related Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions About Jaw Pain & TMJ
Jaw Pain & TMJ care near you
Our clinic is at 2/44 Greenway Drive, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486. We see patients from across the Tweed Coast and southern Gold Coast, including:
Struggling with jaw pain & tmj?
You do not have to just put up with it. Book an assessment and let us help you understand your options.
