Jaw Pain, Clicking & Headaches – TMJ Physiotherapy in Gerringong and Kiama

Written by Patrick Moore.

A clicking sound when you open your mouth. The dull ache across your jaw and temples after a long day. The morning headaches that seem to come from nowhere. If any of these sound familiar, you may be experiencing a Temporomandibular Disorder, more commonly known as a TMD, or referred to as TMJ disorder.

The good news? You don’t have to just put up with it. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments available, and it’s one of our areas of interest, right here on the South Coast, in Gerringong and Kiama.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull. You actually have two of them, one on each side of your face, just in front of your ears. These joints work together constantly throughout the day every time you eat, speak, yawn or swallow.

A Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a broad term used to describe a range of problems affecting this joint and the surrounding muscles. It’s one of the most common causes of facial pain, yet it’s frequently misdiagnosed or left untreated for years.

TMDs are rarely caused by a single factor. They’re usually the result of a combination of issues, including:

• Joint and disc problems: The TMJ contains a small disc of cartilage that cushions movement between the bones. Changes to this disc can cause clicking, locking, or pain.
• Muscle overuse and tension: The muscles that control jaw movement can become overworked through habits like teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, or prolonged postures that load the jaw and neck. Many people grind or clench at night without realising it.
• Trauma: A blow to the jaw or face, dental work, or even prolonged mouth opening during surgery can trigger a TMD.
• Posture: This one surprises many people, but the position of your head and neck has a direct influence on how your jaw functions. Sustained forward head posture, common with desk work and screen time, increases the load through the jaw muscles and joints.
• Stress: Psychological stress is strongly linked to jaw clenching and muscle tension, making it both a contributing factor and something that can maintain symptoms over time.
• Dental factors: Issues with bite alignment, missing teeth, or ill-fitting dental appliances can all play a role.

One of the most important things to understand about TMDs is that they rarely exist in isolation. Your jaw doesn’t function in isolation from the rest of your body, it’s intimately connected to your neck, upper back, and even your breathing pattern.

Research consistently shows that people with TMDs often have associated neck pain and stiffness. The muscles that control jaw movement share nerve pathways with those of the upper cervical spine, which is why dysfunction in one area can influence the other.

This is why a thorough physiotherapy assessment of the TMJ always includes your neck and posture, not just your jaw. Treating one without addressing the other often leads to incomplete or short-lived results.

Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of conservative TMD management, and for the majority of people it works very well. At Gerringong and Kiama Physiotherapy, our TMJ-trained physios take a thorough and individualised approach.

Comprehensive Assessment
Your physiotherapist will take a detailed history of your symptoms and assess the movement and function of your jaw, neck, and posture. We’ll identify contributing factors specific to you, because no two people present exactly the same way. We’ll also ask about things like: dental history, neck injuries/pain, bruxism (clenching your teeth) and when and how your TMJ symptoms affect you.

Hands-On Manual Therapy
Skilled manual therapy to the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, and the neck can help restore normal movement, reduce muscle tension, and relieve pain. This might include joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, and trigger point therapy to the muscles of the jaw, head, and neck. Release of the muscles of the TMJ may involve internal oral techniques.

Specific Exercise Programs
Targeted exercise plays a key role in both the short and long-term management of TMDs. These may include jaw coordination and strengthening exercises, postural correction exercises for the neck and upper back, and techniques to retrain normal jaw movement patterns.

Education and Self-Management Strategies
Understanding your condition is a powerful part of recovery. Your physiotherapist will help you identify and modify habits that may be aggravating your symptoms. This may include your jaw posture during the day, sleeping position, dietary modifications (soft foods during flare-ups), or strategies to manage stress and muscle tension.

Dry Needling
For those with significant muscle involvement, dry needling to the jaw, temple, and neck muscles can be an effective part of treatment to reduce tension and pain.

I also standardised the curly apostrophe to a straight one and removed a double space before “jaw posture”.

Some TMDs benefit from a combined approach involving both physiotherapy and dental management. Dental splints or night guards, orthodontic treatment, or review of dental occlusion may be recommended alongside your physiotherapy care.

Our team at Gerringong and Kiama Physiotherapy works closely with local dentists, orthodontists, and specialists across the South Coast and Illawarra region. 

When Should You Seek Help?

Don’t wait until your symptoms are severe. Early assessment and treatment typically leads to faster, more complete recovery. We’d encourage you to book an appointment with our TMJ Clinic if:

• Your jaw pain has been present for more than a few weeks
• You notice clicking or locking in your jaw
• You’re waking up with jaw soreness or headaches
• Your symptoms are affecting your ability to eat or talk comfortably
• You’ve been told you grind your teeth at night