Jaw Joint Pain (TMJ) and Physiotherapy
Fzt. Kemran Hafız · 6 June 2026 · 2 min read · Last updated:
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull. It works thousands of times a day: speaking, chewing, swallowing. It is no surprise that a joint working that hard sometimes causes trouble.
Symptoms
- Pain in the jaw joint or temple
- A click or catch on opening the mouth
- Inability to open fully, sometimes locking
- Fatigue when chewing
- Headache spreading to the temple and around the ear
- Stiffness around the jaw in the morning
Why does it happen?
Clenching and grinding. One of the most common causes, and most people do not realise they do it in their sleep. It increases markedly in stressful periods.
Muscle imbalance. Overworking chewing muscles increases the load on the joint.
Neck-related problems. The upper neck and the jaw joint share the same nerve supply. For that reason assessment of jaw complaints is not complete without the neck.
Trauma and posture. A blow to the jaw, long periods with the mouth held open (dental work), or a forward head position can all trigger the picture.
What happens in physiotherapy?
Assessment. Mouth opening is measured, the symmetry of jaw movement observed, chewing muscles and neck examined together.
Manual therapy. Techniques for the jaw joint and surrounding muscles; the upper neck is included where needed.
Exercise. Controlled opening exercises restore symmetry of jaw movement.
Habit adjustment. Teaching that the teeth should not touch during the day, temporarily avoiding hard and chewy foods, not cradling the phone against the shoulder — small changes with real effect.
Atlas therapy. Approaches directed at the upper neck are added where the neck-related component is dominant.
Dentist or physiotherapist?
They are not alternatives. Tooth alignment, night guards and dental factors belong to your dentist; muscle, joint movement and the neck relationship belong to physiotherapy. The best results come when both run together. If you use a night guard, the programme is adjusted accordingly.
How long does it take?
It depends on the duration of the complaint and how far the triggers can be controlled. A programme run while clenching continues progresses slowly, which is why stress and habit management are inseparable parts of the treatment.
Fzt. Kemran Hafız assesses the jaw and the neck together in TMJ complaints.