TMJ pain is a general term for pain related to the jaw joint. Specific sources of pain can include the joint itself, the disc within the joint, and the muscles surrounding the joint. Common signs and symptoms of jaw related pain include pain in and around the jaw/ear, headaches, jaw clicking, clenching/grinding of teeth, and occasionally tinnitus (ringing of the ear).

Management options include patient education (jaw and neck resting positions, diet modifications, behaviour modification), exercise (movement retraining and muscle release techniques) and manual therapy (joint mobilizations, massage, acupuncture/dry needling). Some people also benefit from a mouthguard, particularly if they wake up with pain related to grinding their teeth at night.

These videos highlight some exercises that benefit most people with jaw pain, however these should be avoided if they make your symptoms worse.

If you are experiencing jaw related pain we are well equipped to assess and treat it, and your next appointment is just a click away.