Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain
Clarifying TMJ pain
TMJ pain refers to symptoms affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
Symptoms can develop gradually or follow periods of stress, clenching, grinding, irritation, or changes in jaw loading.
Pain may affect the jaw itself, but can also contribute to headaches, facial pain, neck tension, or difficulty with chewing and speaking.
The aim of assessment is to understand what is contributing to your symptoms and what needs to change to help settle the problem.
Common symptoms
Jaw pain and stiffness
Pain, tightness, or restriction affecting the jaw or surrounding muscles.
Clicking or locking
Clicking, grinding, catching, or episodes where the jaw is difficult to open or close.
Headaches and facial tension
Pain around the temples, face, jaw, or upper neck associated with irritation around the TMJ.
Pain with chewing or yawning
Symptoms aggravate with eating, chewing, yawning, or prolonged jaw activity.
Teeth grinding and clenching
Jaw tension associated with clenching or grinding, particularly during stress or sleep.
How physiotherapy can help
Daisy, our TMJ specialist, will assess your jaw, neck, posture, and surrounding muscle function to identify factors contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment is guided by your symptoms, movement, and irritability of the problem.
This may include rehabilitation exercises, hands-on treatment, advice on jaw loading and habits, or strategies to reduce tension and improve movement.
Where appropriate, treatment may also involve acupuncture or guidance around information to share with your dentist or GP.
The focus is on improving jaw movement, reducing irritation, and helping you return to normal day to day function more comfortably.
How to make a booking
TMJ appointments with Daisy are available in Alresford.
If self funding, please select “TMJ Initial Assessment” when booking online.
For insurance funded appointments, select the relevant initial assessment for your insurer, then choose Alresford and Daisy to view availability.
If you are unsure which appointment type to book, please contact us by phone or email and a member of the team will guide you.
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