The temporomandibular joint is one of the most active joints in the body — you use it every time you talk, chew, yawn, or swallow. When it becomes dysfunctional, symptoms range from local jaw pain to headaches, ear pressure, dizziness, and neck pain that patients often don't connect back to the jaw.
Common causes
- Bruxism (clenching or grinding, often at night)
- Malocclusion (bite alignment issues)
- Trauma — whiplash, direct blows, dental procedures
- Chronic postural strain (forward head posture pulls on jaw muscles)
- Stress and sustained muscle tension
- Joint disc displacement inside the TMJ
Symptoms to watch for
- Jaw pain, tenderness, or fatigue with chewing
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening
- Limited or deviated mouth opening
- Ear pain, fullness, or ringing (tinnitus)
- Headaches, especially in the temples
- Neck and upper back tension
How we treat it
Manual therapy — intra-oral and extra-oral soft tissue release for the masseter, temporalis, pterygoids, and suboccipital muscles. TMJ mobilization when appropriate.
Cervical spine care — the upper neck and TMJ share innervation and function. Restoring cervical motion often reduces TMJ symptoms.
Dry needling and acupuncture — highly effective for stubborn masseter and temporalis trigger points.
Corrective exercise — postural retraining, jaw relaxation drills, and specific tongue/jaw positioning work.
Coordination with dentistry — if bruxism or bite issues are driving the pattern, we work alongside your dentist for splint therapy or bite adjustment.
Most patients see improvement within 4-8 weeks. Chronic cases take longer, but the trajectory is usually positive with consistent care.