Managing Jaw Disorders: What You Need to Know

Have you ever felt an ache in your jaw that just won’t go away? Maybe you’ve noticed a clicking sound when you yawn or a sharp pain when you chew. If that sounds familiar, these could be signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). TMD is more common than you might think and the good news is, physiotherapy can help.

What is Temporomandibular Disorder?

TMD refers to a group of conditions that affect the jaw joint, otherwise known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).This joint allows you to speak, chew, yawn and express yourself. When something goes wrong in this complex system of muscles, joints, fascia and ligaments, it can cause pain, stiffness and dysfunction.

People with TMD often report:

• Jaw pain or tenderness

• Clicking, popping or grinding sounds when moving the jaw

• Difficulty or pain when chewing

• Headaches (often felt in the temples)

• Earaches or a feeling of fullness in the ears

• Neck or shoulder tension

• Locking of the jaw (open or closed)

These symptoms might come and go or become more persistent over time. TMD can arise from many different causes: jaw clenching or grinding (bruxism), poor posture, stress, previous trauma or dental alignment. Sometimes, there’s no single clear cause and that’s okay. What is clear is that you don’t have to just live with it. This is where the collaborative care of health professionals (eg. physiotherapists, dentists, psychologists, counsellors, ENT specialists) come in to help you.

How We Treat TMD

Physiotherapy plays a key role in managing TMD, especially when symptoms are driven by muscular tension, joint stiffness or postural habits. A physiotherapist trained in managing TMD will assess not just your jaw but also your neck, posture, breathing patterns and overall movement. Here's how physiotherapy helps:

1. Manual Therapy

Manual therapy includes gentle, hands-on techniques to reduce muscle tension, improve mobility and ease pain. This

might involve:

• Soft tissue massage around the jaw, neck and/or shoulders

• Intra-oral release (working on muscles inside the mouth with gloved hands)

• Gentle joint mobilisations to improve the way the jaw moves

  
  

2. Jaw-Specific Exercises

Targeted exercises help retrain the muscles that support jaw movement. These exercises aim to:

• Improve coordination and control of the jaw

• Reduce strain on overactive muscles

• Encourage symmetrical movement

• Improve muscle imbalance

Exercises are usually simple, gentle and designed to be done at home between sessions.

3. Postural Integration and Ergonomic Support

Your jaw is deeply connected to your neck, shoulders and even your upper back. If your posture is off (perhaps from to much time at a desk or on your phone), it can place strain on the TMJ. We’ll work on your posture and alignment, adjust your workstation or daily habits to reduce unnecessary stress on your jaw.

4. Education and Stress Awareness

Stress and jaw pain often go hand in hand. People under stress may clench their jaw or grind their teeth without noticing. Physiotherapy can support relaxation and awareness by:

• Identifying patterns of clenching or tension

• Teaching breathing techniques that promote calm

• Offering practical tips for stress management

• Encouraging mindfulness during daily tasks

Understanding what’s happening in your body is empowering. These strategies can help reduce the cycle of stress and muscle overuse.

5. Holistic, Person-Centred Care

At Lokahi Healthcare, we believe in treating the whole person — not just the jaw. We often work alongside dentists, psychologists, counsellors and GPs to ensure we address the multifactorial causes of TMD. That collaborative approach can make all the difference.

Final Thoughts

Healing from TMD isn’t always instant but with the right support it’s possible to reduce discomfort and improve function over time. If you’re dealing with jaw pain, popping or tension know that help is available. Early assessment and treatment can help prevent the condition from becoming long-lasting or more difficult to manage.

Curious about how physiotherapy might help with TMD? Reach out to us. We’d love to see how we can support your journey back to comfort and confidence!