Understanding TMJ Pain: Symptoms, Treatment, and the Role of Osteopathy

Understanding TMJ Pain: Symptoms, Treatment, and the Role of Osteopathy

You never truly realise how good it feels to have a pain-free jaw—until that discomfort hits after a stressful day or you suddenly notice a clicking sound when you chew or yawn. If you’ve experienced a sore jaw or these unusual sounds, you might be dealing with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.

It’s a lot more common than people think and while it can be annoying (or downright painful!) the good news is that it’s very manageable. In fact, our Osteopath Caitlin loves treating TMJ pain. We work with many patients to provide both short and long term relief from TMJ discomfort. 

We focus on relieving tension, improving alignment and restoring normal movement. Sometimes it's the simple things we do to avoid the pain that can make things worse. We’ve seen it time and time again, for example when a patient will chew only using one side of their mouth or chew gum frequently. This adds to their problem. 

Our goal is to relieve the short term pain to get you into the health habits for long term improvement. Osteopathy is a great option for treating TMJ pain, as it focuses on relieving tension, improving alignment, and restoring normal movement.

In this post, we’ll break down what TMJ pain actually is, what causes it, how to recognise it, what your treatment options are and some tips to manage the condition yourself.

What Is TMJ?

Let’s start with the basics. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint - the hinge that connects

your jaw to your skull, just in front of your ears. The temporomandibular joints allow your jaw to move up and down, side to side and forward and back.  

You use it constantly; when you talk, chew, yawn, or laugh. It's no surprise that when something goes wrong with this joint, you really feel it. This is referred to as TMJ disorder.  TMJ pain can involve the joint itself, the surrounding muscles, or both. It may affect one or both sides of the jaw.

What does TMJ Pain Feel like?

TMJ disorders can manifest in a variety of ways, and symptoms can range from mild discomfort

to debilitating pain. Here are some of the most common ways TMJ pain can be experienced:

• Jaw pain or tenderness, especially when chewing or speaking

• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth

• Lockjaw, where the jaw gets stuck open or closed

• Headaches, often centered around the temples or side of the face

• Ear pain or pressure, sometimes mistaken for an ear infection

• Facial pain, tension, or swelling

• Tooth sensitivity or pain with no obvious dental cause

• Neck and shoulder tension, often from muscle compensation

TMJ issues are not always isolated to the jaw area. They can radiate into other parts of the face, head, and neck, making them a little tricky to pinpoint, and can be a reason for a headache or migraine. Our Burwood Osteopaths will ask you questions to figure out why you are getting TMJ pain and the best way to treat this discomfort.

What Causes Jaw Pain & TMJ Disorders?

There isn’t a single cause of TMJ disorders, and often it’s a combination of factors. Some

common contributors include:

• Jaw injury or trauma, such as from a car accident or a sports injury, or a face hit in footy.

• Teeth grinding or clenching (also known as bruxism), often during sleep, or for some, during the day (myself included!)

• Stress, which can cause muscle tension or jaw clenching,

• Poor posture, especially in the neck and upper back can lead to TMJ pain

• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis in the TMJ

• Misalignment of the jaw or teeth

Diagnosing TMJ Disorders

If you think you might be experiencing TMJ pain, give us a call, we offer a free 15 minute consultation to see if Osteo is the right fit for you. You can also check in with your healthcare team including your dentist or GP.

An assessment with Burwood Osteo & Rehab typically includes:

• A detailed history, including symptoms, habits, and any recent injuries

• Physical examination of the jaw, neck, and head

• Palpation of the TMJ and surrounding muscles

• Listening for sounds in the joint during movement

• Range of motion tests for your jaw

In some cases, imaging or pain relief may be needed that your healthcare team can direct you.

Treatment Options for TMJ Pain

Treatment for TMJ disorders often depends on the underlying cause and severity. The goal is usually to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore normal jaw function, but there is no one size fits all approach, and treatment is individualised.

Here are some common ways we treat TMJ pain:

1. Conservative Treatments including Osteopathy:

Most TMJ disorders respond well to simple, non-invasive treatments and manual therapy.

• Avoid hard or chewy foods, and try not to open your mouth too wide. Apples can be particularly challenging. 

• Osteopathy manual therapy, as discussed further down this post,

• Understanding our stress, clenching and grinding can be as a result of underlying tension, and an inherent thing we might not even be aware that we are doing, especially overnight clenching. Working on stress measures is paramount to helping TMJ disorders.

• Jaw exercises: Gentle stretching and movement exercises can improve flexibility and

reduce stiffness, your Osteopath can help you with these, as well as self massage to your face muscles.

2. Dental Interventions

If your TMJ pain is related to bite problems or teeth grinding, your dentist might recommend a custom made mouthguard. These are often worn at night to prevent clenching and grinding and dissipate force over your teeth. In some cases, braces or other dental work may be needed to realign the bite.

3. Medical Treatments

When symptoms are more severe or persistent, additional interventions may be considered including prescription medications from your GP. These can involve muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety meds, or stronger painkillers. Injections can also be used to treat inflammation under the instruction of your dentist or GP.

Self-Management Tips

While professional treatment is important, there’s a lot you can do at home to manage TMJ pain:

• Be mindful of jaw habits: Try to avoid clenching your teeth, chewing gum, be aware of whether you are snoring or mouth breathing, this can be hard to do but with the use of some modern tech it’s certainly getting easier! Consider getting a smart watch to look at when/if you are snoring and your breathing rate. Sometimes daytime clenching as well is a big issue. Being aware and mindful is step 1!

• Practice good posture, especially when working at a computer - poor posture can strain

your neck and jaw.

• Manage stress - Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help reduce

muscle tension in the back and neck, and subsequently, relax the jaw in the process.

• Stay hydrated and eat soft foods: This can help you avoid overworking the joint during

flare-ups.

Consistency is key. Incorporating small daily habits can make a big difference over time.

How Burwood Osteo & Rehab Can Help with TMJ Pain

Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the body’s musculoskeletal system,

aiming to improve function and reduce pain through hands-on treatment.

When it comes to TMJ disorders, we like to look at the whole picture. Stress, sleeping habits, tension in the back and neck, and ergonomics are some of the things we will discuss in our consultation.

1. Assessment of the Whole Body

An osteopath will assess how your jaw, neck, shoulders, and even your spine are working

together. We take into account the whole picture: how you sleep, your stress levels, posture, neck and upper back tension, even how you sit at your desk during the day. 

All of these factors can contribute to jaw pain, so by addressing them, we can often get to the root of the issue and support longer-lasting relief.  

2. Gentle Manual Techniques

Using techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, and stretching and gentle

Exercises, targeting both the jaw, back and neck.  TMJ treatments may be sensitive, but you will be in good hands with us as we will adjust our pressure based on every single person.  

Directly after the hands on treatment, our clients note to us how much less facial pressure they feel and not even realising how sensitive they are in this area.

Treatment aims to:

• Release tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles

• Improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage

• Restore natural movement to the TMJ

3. Postural Advice and Exercises

We will often provide posture correction tips and home exercises that support the work

done during treatment sessions. This helps prevent future flare-ups and empowers you to

manage symptoms on your own. We always say - treatment doesn’t end when you get off the table. Your body continues to respond and adjust long after the session’s over, and giving it the right support at home can really boost your progress. Plus, having tools to manage symptoms on your own puts you back in control of your recovery, which is exactly where you should be.

4. Stress and Tension Relief

Because many TMJ issues are stress-related, Osteopathy can be a powerful tool for relaxing the nervous system and reducing overall muscle tension.  We will discuss different management techniques that maybe you can implement in your daily life to help address general daily stressors. 

Our clients are empowered with techniques to help themselves at home, first thing in the morning, or even in the car for daytime clenching. Teaching our clients what “stress” manifests as in the TMJ region is also very helpful for them.

When to See an Osteopath

If your TMJ symptoms are mild/moderate, we recommend 2-3 sessions to show you how to best manage the pain and the tips and tricks to stop it from getting worse. This includes teaching more self-care and lifestyle changes first. It’s certainly worth booking an appointment if your pain is:

• Persistent or worsening

• Interfering with eating, speaking, or sleeping

• Radiating into your neck, head, or shoulders

Early intervention can help you avoid chronic issues and improve your quality of life.  We’ve treated clients that were recently diagnosed with TMJ pain, and those with a longer term condition. Together we can find a solution that works best for you and your lifestyle. 

TMJ pain can be frustrating and complex, but it’s also very treatable. Whether your symptoms

are new or long-standing, there are many options available to help you find relief.  Osteopathy offers a gentle, holistic approach to addressing not just the symptoms, but also the

root causes of TMJ dysfunction. With the right support and a little self-care, you can restore

balance to your jaw, and feel more comfortable in your body overall.

If you think you might be dealing with TMJ issues, don’t wait it out. See our Burwood Osteopaths to help you and your pain.

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Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ

What’s the quickest way to ease TMJ pain?

Gentle self-massage, heat packs, and steering clear of chewy or crunchy foods can help take the edge off quickly. Many of our clients also find that a session or two of osteopathy brings noticeable relief, especially when tension is the main culprit.

Can stress really make my jaw hurt?

Yes - and you’re not imagining it!  When you're stressed, you might clench your jaw or grind your teeth without even realising it (especially at night). That ongoing tension can absolutely lead to jaw pain. Managing stress is often a big part of managing TMJ.

Is osteopathy actually helpful for TMJ?

Very much so. Osteopathy takes a hands-on, whole-body approach. We don’t just treat the jaw - we look at everything from your posture to your stress levels to your sleep habits. It’s gentle, personalised, and can make a big difference.

How many osteo sessions will I need?

It depends on what’s causing the pain, but most people see improvements in just a few sessions. Usually, we will do a thorough history to understand the reasons as to “why” you are having your jaw pain, and we will treat to alleviate your symptoms, figure out what we can change in your lifestyle to help you continue to improve, and fix the problem for the future. We will also give you home management tools and exercises to help in between appointments.

Should I see a dentist or come to you?

Both can be helpful - it really depends on what’s going on. If your jaw pain is from grinding or bite alignment issues, your dentist might suggest a mouthguard. If it’s more about tension, posture, or stress, we’re a great place to start. 

Can TMJ issues cause headaches or ear pain?

They definitely can. TMJ pain often spreads into the temples, ears, neck, or even the shoulders. That’s why we always look beyond just the jaw when working with TMJ pain. It’s all connected!