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Jaw Pain (TMD) Treatment in Canberra
Jaw pain can affect eating, speaking, yawning, sleeping, and even concentration throughout the day. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a common cause of non-dental facial pain involving the jaw joints, chewing muscles, and associated structures. Chronic TMD pain is estimated to affect approximately 6–9% of adults, with women affected more commonly than men.
Where Do You Feel Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain can be felt in different areas depending on the structures involved. The location of pain can provide useful clues, although symptoms often overlap and the location alone does not determine the cause.
1. Around The Jaw Joint (TMJ)
May be associated with
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TMJ-related pain (arthralgia)
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Pain involving structures around the jaw joint.
Commonly aggravated by
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Chewing
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Biting solid foods
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Yawning
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Opening the mouth widely
2. In The Cheek
May be associated with
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Masseter muscle pain
Commonly aggravated by
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Chewing
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Prolonged talking
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Clenching
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Grinding
3. Around The Temple
May be associated with
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Temporalis muscle pain
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Headache associated with TMD
Commonly aggravated by
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Chewing
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Prolonged talking
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Clenching
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Grinding
4. Around The Ear
May be associated with
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Referred pain from the jaw joint or muscles
Commonly aggravated by
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Chewing
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Prolonged talking
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Yawning
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Opening the mouth widely
Understanding Jaw Pain (TMD)
1. What is TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) is an umbrella term for a group of conditions involving the jaw joints (TMJs), chewing muscles, and associated structures. Jaw pain can involve more than one structure and may present differently from person to person. Symptoms can overlap, and more than one type of TMD may be present at the same time.
Jaw Joint Pain
(Arthralgia)
Jaw Muscle Pain
(Myalgia or Myofascial Pain)
Jaw Movement (Clicking or Locking)
Headache Associated with TMD
3. What Can Influence TMD?
TMD is better understood as a multifactorial condition, with different factors potentially contributing from person to person. Some factors may be associated with the development of TMD, while others may influence pain, symptom persistence, or recovery.
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Clenching or Grinding​
Frequent or sustained clenching and grinding may increase jaw muscle activity and loading and may contribute to pain, fatigue, or stiffness in some people. However, bruxism and TMD are not the same condition. Bruxism can occur without TMD, and TMD can occur in people who do not clench or grind.
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Stress & Emotional Wellbeing
Stress, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing may influence pain sensitivity, muscle activity, sleep, coping, and behaviours such as clenching or jaw guarding. These factors are rarely the sole cause of TMD, but they may influence how symptoms develop, persist, or are experienced as part of a broader biopsychosocial picture.
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Previous Injury or Direct Trauma
Previous injury involving the jaw, face, head, or neck may be relevant in some people with TMD. This may include sporting injuries, motor vehicle accidents, whiplash, previous jaw injuries, or other events involving significant loading or prolonged opening of the jaw.
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Neck Pain & Function
People with TMD may experience neck pain, stiffness, muscle tenderness, or changes in neck function. Research has reported differences in cervical movement, muscle function, and neck-related disability in people with TMD. However, having neck pain does not necessarily mean that the neck is the cause of the jaw problem.
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Sleep & Recovery
Poor sleep may be relevant to TMD in some people and may also influence pain sensitivity, fatigue, mood, and recovery. Sleep-related problems can occur alongside TMD, but this does not mean that poor sleep directly causes TMD in every person.
Common Questions About Jaw Pain
1. Is Jaw Clicking or Popping a Problem?
Not always. Clicking or popping can occur with changes in jaw joint movement and does not necessarily mean that the joint is damaged. Clicking may be more clinically relevant when it occurs alongside pain, locking, or restricted jaw movement.​​
2. Is My Abnormal Bite (Malocclusion) Causing My Jaw Pain?
Current evidence does not support the idea that TMD is usually caused by an abnormal bite alone. The relationship between occlusion—the way your teeth meet—and TMD is complex. For this reason, irreversible procedures that permanently alter the bite or teeth solely to treat or prevent TMD are not routinely recommended.
3. Do Jaw Joint Changes on Imaging Cause Pain?
Not necessarily. Changes such as TMJ disc displacement or degenerative joint findings can be present in people with and without jaw pain. TMJ disc displacement has been reported in around one-third of asymptomatic individuals, highlighting that structural findings do not always correspond with pain.
4. Do I Need Medication, Injections Or Surgery?
For most people with TMD, current evidence favours starting with conservative and reversible approaches before considering more invasive or irreversible treatment.
Occlusal Splint
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Not recommended for chronic TMD pain
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Maybe considered for dental protection from bruxism
Injection
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Not recommended for chronic TMD pain (Botulinum toxin, trigger point injections, corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronic acid injections)
Surgery
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​Not considered 1st-line care for TMD
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Maybe considered in cases involving specific joint pathology or particular clinical indications
When Should I Seek Further Care?
Most jaw pain can be managed conservatively, but some symptoms may require further assessment or care from another healthcare professional.
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General Practitioner (GP)
A GP assessment may be appropriate when further medical investigation or medication management is required, or when symptoms do not fit a typical musculoskeletal TMD presentation, such as unexplained swelling, fever or systemic symptoms, persistent or unexplained facial pain, neurological symptoms, or other concerning changes.
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Dentist
A dental assessment may be appropriate when symptoms could be related to the teeth, gums, or other dental structures, such as tooth-specific pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting, dental swelling, suspected infection, damaged teeth, or concerns about significant tooth wear from grinding.
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Oral & Maxillofacial Specialist
​Specialist assessment may be appropriate for significant or persistent jaw locking, substantial restriction in mouth opening, recurrent dislocation, significant joint pathology, trauma, or symptoms that have not responded as expected to appropriate conservative management.
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Psychologist
A psychologist may form part of collaborative care when stress, anxiety, pain-related fear, sleep difficulties, or other psychological factors are having a significant impact on pain, daily function, or recovery.
How We Help With Your Jaw Pain
1. Thorough Assessment
Every person experiences neck pain differently. Rather than simply looking for something "out of place," our assessment aims to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and determine the most appropriate management plan for you.
✔ Detailed history
✔ Movement assessment
✔ Hands-on assessment
✔ Muscle strength test
✔ Neurological assessment
✔ X-ray if indicated
2. Understanding Your Conditions And Making Sense Of Your Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is rarely influenced by one factor alone. At Motion Wellness, we help you make sense of your symptoms, understand the factors that may be contributing to your condition, and identify practical strategies that may help support your recovery.
3. Personalised Management
At Motion Wellness Chiropractic, our approach aligns with current clinical guidelines, starting with a conservative approach for people with persistent TMD pain. Your management plan is tailored to your symptoms, clinical findings, contributing factors, needs, and goals.
Hands-on care
Manual therapy may be used when appropriate to help improve comfort, reduce pain sensitivity, and support movement.
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Chiropractic adjustment
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Joint mobilisation
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Manual stretching
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Soft tissue therapy
Exercise Rehabilitation
Individualised exercises designed to improve movement, physical capacity, and confidence.
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Jaw exercises
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Breathing exercise
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Stretching exercises
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Neck mobility exercises
Lifestyle Guidance
Jaw pain can be coming from various factors, including jaw conditions, stress, sleep and activity.
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Jaw clenching & grinding
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Stress management
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Sleep intervention
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Activity modification
Collaborative Care
We may work alongside or refer you to another healthcare professional when further assessment or management is required.
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Geneal Practitioner
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Dentist
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Orthodontist
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Psychologist
Reference
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