Jaw Pain Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

Sue Gertzel • April 11, 2023

Does the thought of biting into a hard apple give you goose bumps?


The constant clicking and pain that occurs when you bite is enough to turn you off hard fruit - For life!


&


Don't even talk about yawning......

'Temporomandibular disorders', commonly known as jaw pain, affect about 20% of the population

and are probably more common in women than men.


They can occur for many reasons.


Some examples are:


  1. Stress related tooth grinding causing overload of the facial muscles and

overloading the jaw joints.


2. Working the jaw muscles to open your airways when they are

narrowed because of the relaxation of the muscles when sleeping and snoring.


3. Strain of the jaw joints of muscles following prolonged opening with dental

procedures or general anaesthetics.


4. Direct trauma when hit in the face


5. Stiffness of the neck joints and poor head/neck posture restricting jaw

movement.


Symptoms can comprise facial pain and headaches, neck pain, tightness of the jaw muscles, restriction of jaw movement, pain with chewing and yawning and clicking in the jaw joints.


The management of facial pain requires a collaborative approach. 


The first point of call for TMD’s is usually the dentist.


The dentist can eliminate dental causes for the pain such as cavities or impacted wisdom teeth.

If there are no problems there you can be referred to a physio for management. 


In cases where the TMD is associated with ear pain - Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist will be involved.


Physiotherapy treatment will involve an assessment to analyse why you have developed the TMD.

The physio will discuss your symptoms with you and identify possible causes so you can work on changing these habits. 


They will look at:


  • Range of jaw movements and neck movements


  • Check for increased muscle tension in your jaw or neck muscles


  • Check for stiffness in the jaw joint or neck joints and .........


  • Look at postural changes that could be contributing to your problem.


Treatment will then involve correcting any deficits that are found on assessment.

Techniques may involve jaw or neck joint mobilising, massage to the jaw or neck muscles, dry needling and exercises.


Generally this condition can be quite well managed with physiotherapy and self-management.


So if you have been putting up with jaw & neck pain, or fed up with the 'clicky jaw' every meal.......


Call up and book an appointment at Errol St with our resident jaw and neck specialist, Sue!


If you don't feel like talking to anyone because of your jaw pain, you can book online! 



We are here to help you live life to the full, without jaw pain!


The Team @ Errol Street Physio


Click Here to make a booking

The Morning Stiffness Struggle: What’s Normal and What’s Not?

By Shane O'Sullivan • June 26, 2025
Do you wake up feeling like you’ve aged 20 years overnight?

Strong Bones After 50: How to Strengthen Your Bones Naturally

By Shane O'Sullivan • May 21, 2025
Support your bone, muscle and joint health at Life Performance Sports Medicine, West Melbourne

How to Maximise Sprint Performance During the Season

By Shane O'Sullivan • April 16, 2025
Because slow and steady doesn’t cut it in the fourth quarter. In sports like football, rugby, and hockey, sprint speed wins moments — and moments win games . But speed isn’t built just by playing games. To stay fast and explosive all season, athletes need a structured approach: sprint training, repeat sprint ability (RSA) work, strength and power development, and smart recovery strategies. Here’s your no-fluff guide to building elite sprint performance during the season — and having some fun while doing it.

Niggle or Injury? How to Know When to Push Through (And When to See a Physio)

April 14, 2025
Winter sport season has landed! Whether you're hitting the footy field, netball court, or soccer pitch, your body’s in for a ride. First few games of the season? Expect some sore muscles and general fatigue. But what if that soreness doesn’t go away? Or feels... not quite right? Let’s talk about niggles —those pesky little warning signs your body gives you before a proper injury sets in.

6 Truths About Concussion Every Parent Should Know

March 25, 2025
As another sports season kicks off, so does the conversation around concussion . While not every head knock leads to a concussion, recognising and removing players when in doubt is crucial. ‘If in doubt, rule them out.’ Most discussions on concussion focus on recognising symptoms , but what happens after a concussion diagnosis? Here are six key facts parents need to know about managing concussion recovery. 

Kicking Load

March 19, 2025
This one goes out to all our field based athletes out there! For many of you, the start of your footy or soccer season is on the horizon. You might have played a few practice games, the team’s running load has picked up, and you’re starting to do more game -like drills. Whilst this is exciting and often more enjoyable than earlier parts of pre-season, it can also spell trouble. A ramp up in intensity, plus more kicking and more running can be a lot of change for any athlete. Whilst most of you will have a smart watch to track your running (or access to GPS systems if you’re lucky), how many of you track your kicking load?

A Fresh Take on Knee Pain Relief: Your Guide to PRP and Injection Therapy

March 19, 2025
Knee pain can really put a damper on your day-to-day life. Whether it’s from arthritis, an old injury, or just wear and tear , living with sore knees isn’t fun. Luckily, modern treatments like injection therapies offer new hope. Let’s break down what PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and other injection treatments are all about—in plain language that’s easy to understand.

Creating New Habits

February 12, 2025
I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear that a high proportion of New Year’s Resolutions fall to the wayside by the time February rolls around.  For our patients, this comes in the form of gym memberships being cancelled, running plans falling away or the tennis racquet being put back in the cupboard until the next Australian Open. Change is hard . It is easy to be critical of yourself when you aren’t able to stick to a new fitness goal without any hiccups along the way. In our heads, our progress will look like this:

Understanding Non-Specific Low Back Pain: What You Need to Know

January 28, 2025
Understanding Non-Specific Low Back Pain: What You Need to Know Low back pain is one of the most common complaints worldwide. For many, it comes and goes, but for others, it can persist, affecting daily life . If you've been told you have "non-specific low back pain," you might be wondering what it means and what to do about it. 

New Year New You - Understanding Gut Health

January 6, 2025
It’s a new year, and guess what? Your gut is ready for a glow-up! Often called your “second brain,” your gut isn’t just about digesting that extra slice of pizza— it’s a powerhouse that impacts your mood, immunity, and overall well-being. Time to give it some TLC! So, what’s the deal with gut health? It’s all about balance—the harmony of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in your digestive tract. When your gut is happy, your body hums along smoothly. When it’s not? Hello, bloating, irregularity, and even chronic health woes. The MVP of gut health? Fibre . Think of it as the unsung hero of your digestive system, and it comes in two fabulous forms: Soluble Fibre : Found in oats, fruits, and legumes, this superstar dissolves in water, helping to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. Insoluble Fibre : This tough cookie (from veggies and whole grains) adds bulk to your stool, keeping you regular as clockwork. But wait, there’s more! Power up your fibre game with prebiotics (the snacks your good bacteria love—think onions, garlic, and bananas) and probiotics (the friendly live bacteria in yoghurt and fermented foods). Don’t skip out on resistant starches like green bananas or cooled rice—they’re like a five-star meal for your gut. Now, let’s talk habits. Sure its been festive time over the last few weeks, and you might have had just one too many beers or wines. Excess booze and caffeine can leave your gut lining crying for help, and skipping hydration is a recipe for sluggish digestion. Even stress can throw off your gut’s mojo. So let’s take a whole-body approach to gut health! Practical Tips for a Gut-Healthy New Year Ready to treat your gut like the VIP it is? Here are four fun ways to make your digestive system your new bestie: Fibre First Thing : Start your morning with a fibre-packed brekkie—hello, oats and berries! Sip, Sip, Hooray! : Hydrate like a pro with at least 8 glasses of water a day. Fermented Fun : Add some zing to your meals with kimchi, sauerkraut, or yoghurt. Cut Back on the Gut Bullies : Swap caffeine overloads for soothing herbal teas or kombucha. Stay tuned for Part 2—we’re getting active in the name of gut health and making 2025 your best year yet!
More Posts