Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a common yet often overlooked cause of jaw pain, headaches, and neck discomfort.
The TMJ connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull and plays a vital role in everyday actions such as chewing, speaking, and yawning. When this joint becomes irritated or misaligned, it can significantly affect one’s quality of life.
Image Cite: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/multimedia/temporomandibular-joint/img-20007309
Understanding TMJ Dysfunction
TMJ dysfunction can be caused by a group of conditions affecting the joint or its surrounding muscles and ligaments. Symptoms often include jaw clicking or locking, pain during chewing, restricted mouth opening, facial tension, and referred pain to the neck and shoulders. Contributing factors may include bruxism (teeth grinding), poor posture, psychological stress, trauma, and airway dysfunction (Martins et al., 2015).
Physiotherapy treatment for TMJ Disorders
Physiotherapists take a whole-body approach to treating TMJ dysfunction. Rather than focusing solely on the jaw, physios assess and treat interrelated areas such as the neck, upper back, head, and breathing mechanics (Ben El Hammi et al., 2025). Common techniques include:
- Soft tissue release of jaw, neck, and upper back muscles
- Gentle joint mobilisation of the cervical spine and TMJ
- Postural retraining and ergonomic advice
- Breathing and stress management strategies
Evidence-based benefits
A systematic review by Martins et al. (2015) found strong evidence supporting the use of musculoskeletal manual therapy for TMD, with significant improvements in pain, jaw function, and patient satisfaction. These findings support the growing integration of physiotherapy in the multidisciplinary care of TMJ disorders.
When to refer to physio?
Referring to a physiotherapist can be done day one of symptoms, if patients are presenting with symptoms of:
- jaw clicking or locking;
- pain during chewing;
- restricted mouth opening;
- facial tension; and
- referred pain to the neck and shoulders
Early intervention increases the likelihood of improvements (Ben El Hammi et al., 2025).
If jaw pain is holding you back, you don’t have to put up with it. Our physiotherapists specialise in TMJ assessment and treatment; book an appointment today and take a step towards long‑term relief and better function.
This blog was written by Ben McKenzie, physiotherapist at Back In Motion Eltham.
References:
- Ben El Hammi, N., Amessegher, F., Moudni, S., & Jouhadi, E. M. (2025). Physiotherapy Approaches for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Multimodal Conservative Management Strategy. Cureus, 17(7), e88885. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.88885
- Martins, W. R., Oliveira, A. C., & Guimarães, A. S. (2015). Efficacy of musculoskeletal manual approach in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder: A systematic review with metaanalysis. Manual Therapy, 20(5), 660–668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2015.06.009
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