Orofacial & Jaw Care
Jaw Pain
Jaw clicking, headaches, difficulty chewing, or morning pain. TMJ dysfunction is more common than most people realise. Physiotherapy addresses the joint, the surrounding muscles, and the connection to your neck.
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Your Jaw and Neck Are Closely Connected
Jaw symptoms can be influenced by several factors, including muscle tension, clenching or grinding, stress, and the cervical spine. We assess the jaw and neck together to understand how each may be contributing to your symptoms.
Book AssessmentUnderstanding the Condition
What Can Contribute to Jaw Pain?
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction
Problems affecting the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, or associated structures can cause pain, clicking, stiffness, or difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Grinding or clenching, often during sleep, overloads the jaw muscles and joint, producing headaches, jaw fatigue, and tooth wear.
Muscle Tension & Trigger Points
Muscles involved in chewing, including the masseter and temporalis, can become sensitive or overworked and may contribute to pain around the jaw, temples, face, or ear.
Disc Displacement
The cartilage disc inside the TMJ can shift, causing clicking, locking, or reduced range of motion when opening the mouth.
Cervicogenic Contribution
The jaw and cervical spine have closely related muscular and neurological connections. In some people, neck pain, stiffness, or movement limitations may occur alongside jaw symptoms and form part of the overall clinical picture.
Post-Dental or Post-Trauma
Extended dental procedures, jaw trauma, or prolonged intubation can strain the TMJ and surrounding muscles.
How we treat it
The KINETIKA Approach
We assess jaw range of motion, joint mechanics, muscle tension, and upper cervical spine function. The jaw and neck are assessed together.
Where appropriate, gentle manual therapy may be used for the jaw, neck, and surrounding muscles, including intraoral techniques when clinically indicated and with your consent, to help improve movement and reduce discomfort.
Targeted exercises may be used to improve jaw control, cervical mobility, strength, and movement coordination where these factors are relevant to your symptoms.
We provide practical guidance on jaw habits, eating and chewing during flare-ups, relaxation strategies, and personalised exercises to help manage symptoms and maintain progress between sessions.
Take the next step
Book Your Initial Assessment
If jaw clicking, morning pain, or facial tension is affecting your daily life, we can help. Our physiotherapists assess the jaw and the neck together to find what is really driving your symptoms.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Medically reviewed by the Kinetika Clinical Team · Last reviewed 23 September 2026