Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Written by Dr Phillip Mifsud, Chiropractor & Exercise Physiologist and founder of Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty. Based on Dr Phil’s own video and clinical experience.
Watch the video
TMJ Syndrome: Jaw Clicking, Pain and Headaches
Dr Phil explains this in under two minutes.
What is TMJ dysfunction?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull, one on each side, just in front of your ears. It is one of the most-used joints in the body: you use it every time you talk, chew, swallow or yawn.
In TMJ dysfunction (also called TMJ syndrome or temporomandibular disorder), the jaw is no longer tracking evenly. The small muscles at the side of the head and under the ear become tight and pull the joint off its normal path. That is what produces the click or pop, and the ongoing tension is what makes the area ache.
What are the symptoms?
- Clicking or popping when you open your mouth, chew or yawn
- Pain in front of the ear, in the cheek or along the jaw
- Headaches, often at the temples
- A tight or tired jaw, especially in the morning
- Neck and upper shoulder tension that seems to go along with it
Many people assume they have a headache problem or a neck problem, when the jaw is actually the driver. That is why a proper assessment matters.
What causes it?
In Dr Phil’s experience, the common thread is muscle tension that stops the jaw tracking properly. Things that tend to feed into it include clenching or grinding your teeth (often at night or under stress), chewing gum or tough foods a lot, long hours with your head forward at a screen, and old injuries to the jaw or neck.
If you grind your teeth, it is worth also seeing your dentist, who can check for tooth wear and whether a night splint would help.
How is TMJ dysfunction treated at Bodyline Health?
1. A proper diagnosis first
We check how your jaw opens and closes, where it deviates, which muscles are tight, and how your neck is moving. Jaw pain has other possible causes, so ruling those out comes first.
2. Hands-on treatment to the jaw muscles
Treatment focuses on the muscles just under the earlobe and along the side of the jaw. It can be uncomfortable, but these muscles respond like any other tight muscle: once the tension eases, the jaw can track properly again, and the headaches and ear-area tension usually settle too.
3. A daily routine you do at home
Dr Phil gives every TMJ patient a short routine of jaw movements to practise every day. Doing it consistently is what retrains the jaw to track in a straight line and stops the problem coming back.
Can I do anything at home right now?
- Notice clenching during the day and let your teeth rest slightly apart, tongue on the roof of your mouth
- Choose softer foods and avoid chewing gum for a couple of weeks
- Avoid very wide yawns or big bites while it is sore
- Gently massage the muscle in front of your ear in small circles
- Keep your screen at eye level to take load off your neck
Who at Bodyline Health can help with TMJ dysfunction?
Because Bodyline Health has several disciplines under one roof at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty, your care can be shared between practitioners who talk to each other.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor): jaw and neck assessment, soft tissue work and your home routine.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): trigger point work on tight jaw, neck and shoulder muscles.
- Catherine Farchione (Chinese Medicine and acupuncture): acupuncture, which some people with jaw and facial tension find helpful.
- Jess Lagerwey (Mental wellness): support if stress is driving clenching or grinding.
When to seek urgent medical help
See a doctor urgently if your jaw locks open or closed, if there is swelling, fever or a recent blow to the face, or if jaw pain comes with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating. In an emergency, call 000.
Further reading on TMJ dysfunction: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
Why does my jaw click when I open my mouth?
Usually because the jaw is not tracking evenly. Tight muscles at the side of the head pull the joint off its normal path, and the click is the joint shifting as it opens.
Can TMJ cause headaches?
Yes. Tension in the jaw muscles commonly refers pain to the temples and around the ear, so many people with TMJ dysfunction think they have a headache problem.
Can a chiropractor help with TMJ?
Yes. Treatment focuses on the muscles around the jaw and neck, followed by a daily home routine to retrain how the jaw opens and closes.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
It depends on how long the problem has been there, but patients who do their home routine every day usually notice the clicking and tension easing within a few weeks.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with Bodyline Health in Lower Plenty, and we will let you know if you need to see your dentist or GP as well.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
