TMJ Pain: How We Treat It at You First Physio

Jaw pain can be frustrating, persistent, and surprisingly disruptive to daily life. If you’ve noticed clicking when chewing, pain near your ear, headaches that won’t settle, or difficulty opening your mouth fully, you may be dealing with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

At You First Physio, we regularly see clients who have been managing jaw pain for months — sometimes years — without real answers. The good news? TMJ conditions respond very well to the right assessment and targeted treatment.

What Is the TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of your ears. It’s one of the most frequently used joints in the body — active when you talk, chew, yawn, swallow, and even breathe.

Because it works so constantly, it can become overloaded.

TMJ dysfunction (also called TMD) can involve:

The joint itself
The cartilage disc inside the joint
The surrounding muscles
The neck and upper spine

Common Signs We See in Clinic

TMJ pain doesn’t always feel like “jaw pain.” Many clients present with:

Pain around the jaw or ear
Clicking, popping, or grinding
Jaw locking or catching
Temple headaches
Neck and upper shoulder tension
Ear fullness or ringing
Pain with chewing or wide opening

Often, jaw pain and neck pain go hand-in-hand. That’s why we always assess both.

Why Does TMJ Pain Develop?

There’s rarely just one cause. In our clinics, common contributing factors include:

Clenching or grinding (especially during stress)
Long hours at a desk with forward head posture
Previous dental procedures or trauma
High stress levels
Poor jaw muscle coordination
Joint hypermobility

Importantly, scans don’t always tell the full story. Many people have disc changes without pain. At You First Physio, we focus on how your jaw is functioning — not just what imaging shows.

How We Treat TMJ at You First Physio

We take a practical, hands-on, and education-focused approach.

1️⃣ Thorough Assessment

We assess:

Jaw movement and control
Muscle tension patterns
Neck mobility and posture
Clenching habits
Contributing lifestyle factors

Understanding what’s driving your symptoms is key.

2️⃣ Hands-On Treatment

Treatment may include:

Gentle TMJ joint mobilisation
Soft tissue release to jaw, face, and neck muscles
Upper cervical spine treatment

Often, improving neck mobility significantly reduces jaw symptoms.

3️⃣ Specific Jaw Exercises

TMJ rehab is subtle and precise — not heavy strengthening. We prescribe exercises that:

Improve jaw coordination
Restore smooth movement
Reduce muscle overactivity
Build joint tolerance

These are simple but very effective when done correctly.

4️⃣ Clenching & Stress Management

Many TMJ issues are linked to unconscious daytime clenching. We help you:

Recognise clenching patterns
Modify jaw position at rest
Reduce overload during flare-ups
Implement practical stress-management strategies

5️⃣ Collaborative Care

If needed, we work alongside:

Dentists (for splints where appropriate)
GPs
Other health professionals

Our goal is always conservative management first. Surgery is rarely required for TMJ dysfunction.

When Should You Book an Assessment?

Consider booking if:

Your jaw pain has lasted more than a few weeks
You’re getting recurring headaches
Your jaw locks or feels restricted
You wake with jaw tension
Eating or talking aggravates symptoms

Early management prevents long-term persistent patterns.

Supporting You Across Our Clinics

You can access TMJ assessment and treatment at You First Physio clinics in:

Longhurst
Avonhead

If jaw pain, headaches, or facial tension are affecting your daily life, we’re here to help.

Because at You First Physio — your recovery comes first.