Jaw pain, a clicking or catching jaw, or trouble opening your mouth wide can be frustrating and worrying, and many people are not sure who to see about it. These are common signs of a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, a problem of the jaw joint and the muscles around it.
Here is something a lot of people do not realise: a physiotherapist can assess and help with jaw pain. Here is what TMD actually is, what the evidence says helps, and when it is worth getting assessed.
In this article
What is a temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?
The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of each ear. A temporomandibular disorder is an umbrella term for problems affecting this joint and the muscles that move your jaw.
TMD is usually not dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable and can affect eating, talking and sleep.
What are the signs of TMD?
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, around the ear, or in the jaw muscles
- Clicking, popping or catching when you open or close your mouth
- Difficulty or discomfort opening your mouth wide
- Jaw tightness, or headaches around the temples
Symptoms can vary from mild and occasional to more persistent and limiting.
What causes jaw pain?
TMD often has more than one contributing factor. Common contributors include clenching or grinding the teeth, jaw-muscle overload, stress and tension, neck stiffness, and habits such as heavy gum chewing or nail biting. It is often a combination rather than a single cause, which is why a broad look at the picture helps.
What actually helps TMD?
The good news is that first-line care is conservative, not surgical. Reviews support starting with simple, reversible approaches, which may include:
- Education about the jaw and reassurance
- Jaw and neck exercises and manual therapy
- Reducing clenching, grinding and heavy jaw loading where possible
- Managing stress and tension that feed jaw-muscle tightness
Physiotherapy has evidence for reducing pain and improving jaw function in the short term, and combining approaches tends to work best.
Can a physio really help jaw pain?
Yes. Physiotherapists trained in jaw pain can assess how your jaw moves, check the jaw and neck muscles, and guide exercises and manual therapy alongside advice on habits and load. For many people with TMD, this conservative, hands-on and exercise-based approach is a sensible and evidence-supported starting point before considering more invasive options.
When should you seek help?
Consider getting assessed if your jaw pain is persistent, is limiting eating, talking or sleep, or keeps coming back. It is also worth seeking advice if your jaw locks or you cannot open or close it properly, or if you have significant swelling, as these may need particular attention. Your health professional can also help coordinate care with your dentist where needed.
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Helping You Perform at Your Best
At ACE Sports Medicine in Upper Mount Gravatt, our physiotherapists provide personalised care for jaw pain and TMD across Brisbane's southside. Your first appointment includes an assessment and a starter plan so you know your next step.