Jaw pain has a way of sneaking up on you. Maybe it started as clicking when you chew, tension near your ears, or headaches that won’t quit. Over time, it makes eating, talking, yawning, or even sleeping uncomfortable. If you’ve been dealing with this and wondering whether physiotherapy for TMJ actually works—or if it’s worth trying—you’re asking the right question.
Here’s what might surprise you: TMJ problems rarely happen in isolation. Research shows strong connections between jaw dysfunction and the neck—the majority of people with TMJ disorders also have cervical spine issues. This matters because treating just the jaw while ignoring the neck often leads to incomplete results.
At Surrey 88 Ave Nordel Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, TMJ treatment focuses on restoring normal jaw movement, reducing muscle tension, and addressing the root causes driving your pain—not just masking symptoms temporarily.
What Is TMJ and Why Does It Hurt?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint—the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. You use it constantly: talking, chewing, swallowing, yawning, even clenching your teeth during stressful moments without realizing it.
When this joint or the surrounding muscles aren’t working well, you might notice:
- Jaw pain or tightness, especially with chewing
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- Facial pain or ear discomfort (often mistaken for ear infections)
- Headaches or neck pain
TMJ issues often develop from a combination of factors: neck stiffness limiting normal jaw mechanics, teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), stress causing muscle tension, or previous injuries to the jaw or neck.
How Physiotherapy for TMJ Works
It’s About More Than Just Your Jaw
Here’s the thing: your jaw doesn’t work in isolation. Physiotherapy for TMJ looks at how your jaw, neck, and upper body work together as a system. If your neck isn’t moving well or your posture has shifted forward, your jaw often pays the price through compensatory patterns.
Your physiotherapy plan typically includes:
- Manual therapy to the jaw, face, and neck—gentle techniques that improve joint mobility and reduce muscle tension in the muscles you use for chewing
- Jaw control and coordination exercises—teaching your jaw to move in healthier patterns rather than the compensatory movements it’s developed over time
- Soft tissue massage for overworked muscles—those muscles around your jaw and neck often become chronically tight from clenching or poor mechanics
- Education on habits like clenching, teeth grinding, or jaw positioning during sleep
The goal is to reduce strain on the jaw and help it move efficiently again without constant tension or pain.
Does Physiotherapy for TMJ Actually Work?
The short answer: for many people, yes—it absolutely does.
Research consistently shows that combining manual therapy with therapeutic exercise produces the best outcomes for TMJ disorders. Studies demonstrate significant reductions in pain, improved jaw opening, and better overall function when physiotherapy addresses both the jaw and cervical spine together.
TMJ pain often stems from muscle overactivity, poor movement patterns, or joint irritation—all of which respond well to physiotherapy. Instead of telling you to “just rest your jaw” or only offering a night guard, physiotherapy teaches you how to use your jaw better.
You may notice:
- Reduced jaw pain and tension throughout the day
- Fewer headaches (especially tension headaches originating from jaw/neck muscles)
- Less clicking, popping, or locking when you open your mouth
- Improved mouth opening—being able to fit 2-3 fingers between your teeth comfortably
- Better control during chewing and talking
Progress usually builds over several weeks as your jaw relearns healthy movement patterns and surrounding muscles relax.
What Makes TMJ Physiotherapy Different
Physiotherapy vs. Night Guards or Medications
Night guards can help protect your teeth from grinding and may reduce some jaw pressure, but they don’t retrain muscles or address movement dysfunction. They’re a helpful tool but not a complete solution.
Medications (pain relievers, muscle relaxants) may reduce symptoms temporarily but don’t correct the underlying movement issues or muscle imbalances causing the problem.
Physiotherapy addresses how your jaw, neck, and posture contribute to pain—treating the root causes rather than just managing symptoms. It often works alongside dental care or medical treatment, not against it.
TMJ Exercises You Might Learn
Your physiotherapist will guide you through exercises tailored to your specific issues. Common examples include:
- Controlled jaw opening and closing—practicing smooth, symmetrical movements in front of a mirror to retrain coordination
- Relaxation breathing for jaw muscles—learning to release chronic tension, especially if you clench during stress
- Gentle jaw stretching—improving range of motion when opening is limited
- Neck and upper back mobility work—addressing cervical stiffness that contributes to jaw dysfunction
- Tongue positioning exercises—proper tongue posture affects jaw mechanics more than most people realize
These exercises are gentle, targeted, and designed to fit into your daily routine without requiring special equipment.
When Should You Seek Jaw Pain Treatment?
You don’t need to wait until jaw pain becomes severe or significantly limits your life. Consider seeking TMJ physiotherapy if:
- Jaw pain lasts longer than a few weeks
- You experience regular headaches alongside jaw symptoms
- Clicking or locking is getting worse or more frequent
- Chewing or yawning feels increasingly restricted
- You wake up with jaw soreness or tension
Early intervention often leads to faster and more complete recovery. Chronic TMJ dysfunction tends to create compensatory patterns that become harder to reverse the longer they persist.
The Bottom Line
TMJ disorders affect millions of people and can significantly impact quality of life—making eating, talking, and even sleeping uncomfortable. But here’s the encouraging part: physiotherapy is an effective treatment approach, particularly when it addresses both the jaw and neck together.
At Surrey 88 Ave Nordel Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic in Surrey, BC, TMJ physiotherapy is personalized to your specific symptoms and goals. Your care focuses on understanding why your jaw is irritated and giving you the tools to move forward with confidence.
Jaw pain can be frustrating and persistent, but it’s also highly treatable with the right approach. If clicking, tension, headaches, or limited opening have been affecting your daily life, physiotherapy might be exactly what your jaw needs to function comfortably again.
Resources:
Crăciun, M., Geman, O., Leuciuc, F., Holubiac, I., Gheorghiţă, D., & Filip, F. (2022). Effectiveness of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and the Relationship with Cervical Spine. Biomedicines, 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10112962.