If your jaw clicks when you eat, feels tight when you wake up, or aches by the end of the day, you are not alone.
Jaw pain is something many people put up with for a long time before getting it assessed. You might notice clicking or popping when you open your mouth, headaches around your temples, tightness through your jaw or face, or difficulty opening your mouth fully.
Sometimes you may not even realise your jaw is contributing to your symptoms.
TMJ physiotherapy can help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and work out a treatment plan that is right for you.
So, what exactly is TMD?
TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder. It is a general term used for problems affecting the jaw joints, the muscles around the jaw, or both.
Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are the two joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. They work every time you chew, talk, yawn and swallow. Your jaw also relies on a number of muscles around your face, jaw, head and neck to help it move. When these joints or muscles become irritated, overloaded or sensitive, you may start to experience pain, clicking, stiffness or difficulty moving your jaw comfortably.
TMD can look different for everyone. For one person, it might be jaw pain when chewing. For someone else, it might be clicking, headaches, facial tension or difficulty opening their mouth. You don't necessarily need to have jaw pain to have TMD. For some people, jaw clicking, stiffness or restricted movement may be the main issue.
What can jaw pain feel like?
Jaw problems can show up in lots of different ways.
You might experience:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Tight or tired jaw muscles
- Pain when chewing or yawning
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- Jaw locking or catching
- Headaches around the temples
- Facial pain or tension
- Ear pressure or discomfort
- Neck pain alongside your jaw symptoms
Sometimes people don't even realise their jaw could be contributing to their headaches or facial tension.
That is one of the reasons a proper assessment is so useful.
Why does my jaw hurt?
This is one of the most common questions I get. And unfortunately, there isn't always one simple answer.
Your jaw is moving throughout the day, so symptoms can develop when the muscles and joints are exposed to more load than they are used to. Things like clenching, grinding, stress, poor sleep, lots of chewing, dental work or changes in how your jaw is moving can all contribute.
Sometimes there is an obvious trigger. Other times, it is more of a gradual build-up. Often it is a combination of factors rather than one thing that has "gone wrong".
This is why when I assess someone's jaw, I don't just look at the jaw.
I also look at the muscles around the jaw and face, your neck, how your jaw is moving and the things that may be contributing to your symptoms.
What about jaw clicking?
This is another really common concern.
A clicking jaw doesn't automatically mean there is a problem.
Some people have had clicking for years and have no pain or restriction at all. In that situation, the clicking itself may not need treatment.
But if your jaw clicking is painful, your jaw is catching or locking, or you've noticed a change in how your jaw moves, it is worth having it assessed.
The goal isn't necessarily to make every click disappear. Instead, I want to understand why you are getting the symptoms you are getting, whether anything is irritating the joint or muscles, and how we can help your jaw move more comfortably.
How can TMJ physiotherapy help?
This is where TMJ physiotherapy can be really helpful.
Your treatment will depend on what is going on with your jaw rather than following a set formula.
During your assessment, I may look at your jaw movement, how wide you can comfortably open your mouth, the muscles around your jaw and face, your neck movement and whether things like clenching are contributing. From there, treatment may include a combination of hands-on treatment, jaw exercises and education.
Hands-on treatment
Gentle hands-on treatment around the jaw, face and neck can help settle muscle tension, improve movement and reduce pain.
Jaw exercises
Specific exercises can help improve your jaw movement, control and coordination. These are tailored to your symptoms rather than giving everyone the same exercises.
Education and self-management
Understanding what is contributing to your symptoms is a big part of jaw pain treatment. We may look at things like clenching, your jaw resting position, chewing habits and activities that may be irritating your jaw.
The goal is to give you practical things you can actually use outside of your appointments.
What happens during a TMJ physiotherapy appointment?
The first appointment is about understanding what is going on.
I will assess how your jaw opens and closes, your range of movement, the muscles around your jaw and face and your neck.
We will also talk about your symptoms, clenching or grinding, sleep, dental history and anything else that may be contributing.
From there, we can work out what is most likely driving your symptoms and what treatment is going to be most useful for you. Treatment may include hands-on work, specific exercises and practical strategies to help you manage your symptoms day to day.
The aim isn't to give you a huge list of exercises or tell you to completely change your lifestyle.
It is about finding the things that are actually relevant to your jaw and giving you a plan that is realistic for you.
When should you get your jaw assessed?
It may be worth having your jaw assessed if you have:
- Ongoing jaw pain
- Pain when chewing or yawning
- Painful jaw clicking
- Jaw stiffness
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Jaw locking or catching
- Headaches associated with jaw tension
- Facial or jaw muscle tightness
- Symptoms following dental treatment or an injury
You don't have to wait until your symptoms are severe.
If something has been bothering you for a while or is starting to affect eating, talking, yawning or your day-to-day life, it is worth getting it checked.
Common questions
Do I need a referral to see a physio for jaw pain?
No. You can book directly. If you are already seeing a dentist about a splint or a bite issue, tell us, because we would rather coordinate than duplicate.
Is clicking without pain something to worry about?
Generally not. Painless clicking with full opening is common and often needs no treatment at all. Get it assessed if it becomes painful, if your opening reduces, or if the jaw starts catching.
Can neck problems really cause jaw pain?
Yes, and frequently. The upper cervical spine and the jaw converge on the same region of the brainstem, which means the nervous system can misattribute the source. This is why I assess the neck in every jaw presentation, and why treating the jaw alone sometimes fails.
Will I need treatment inside my mouth?
Sometimes, because the deepest jaw muscles cannot be reached any other way, and it is often the most effective single technique available. It is always discussed first, always gloved, and always optional. Plenty of people improve without it.
How many sessions is this going to take?
Muscle dominant presentations often improve noticeably within two or three sessions. A jaw that has been clicking and aching for two years, or one that has been locking, takes longer, commonly six to eight sessions across a couple of months. You will get a realistic estimate after the first assessment rather than a stock answer.
Should I be having scans?
Rarely at the start. Diagnosis is usually clear from history and examination. Imaging becomes useful where the jaw is locked and not responding, or where we suspect something other than a mechanical problem.
Does stress management actually help?
Yes, particularly if you notice you clench your jaw when you’re stressed or tense. Stress can increase muscle tension and make you more likely to clench or hold tension through your jaw without even realising it. Learning to recognise these habits and finding ways to manage stress can help reduce the overall load on your jaw muscles.
