TMJ / Jaw Pain

Jaw Pain, Clicking, and Headaches That Seem to Start at the Jaw

Reviewed by Dr. Dustin Dukart, DC

It aches to chew, the jaw clicks or catches when you open wide, and there’s a headache that sits right around the temple and ear. Temporomandibular disorder — “TMD,” or just “TMJ” the way most people say it — is common, and the muscle-and-movement side of it responds well to conservative care.

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The Jaw and the Neck Are Connected — and It’s Testable

The muscles and joints of the jaw share nerve pathways and postural patterns with the upper neck, which is why jaw problems and neck problems so often travel together, and why a headache from TMD frequently wraps around toward the back of the head. A 2023 systematic review found that manual therapy applied to the neck reduces TMD pain and improves jaw function. Part of the exam is checking whether the neck is contributing in your case — not assuming it is.

What the Evidence Supports

For pain-related TMD, conservative care has solid backing. A 2023 systematic review of randomized trials found high- and moderate-quality evidence that adding manual therapy produces a real reduction in jaw pain, both short- and long-term, plus moderate-quality evidence for reduced disability. A separate 2023 review found jaw exercise therapy — particularly coordination exercise — helps with pain and mobility. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends starting with conservative, reversible approaches like these. A realistic plan combines hands-on treatment for the jaw and neck muscles, a short daily exercise routine, and practical changes (clenching awareness, softer foods during a flare).

This Works Best as a Team Approach

Chiropractic care handles the musculoskeletal and cervical-contribution side of TMD. It doesn’t replace your dentist or an orofacial-pain specialist for the parts that are theirs — a night guard for grinding, evaluating bite issues, or a joint that’s structurally locked or degenerating. If your exam here points to those, you’ll get that referral, and the two approaches work well side by side.

When to See a Dentist or Doctor First

• A jaw that locks open or shut and won’t move — see a dentist or oral surgeon promptly
• Significant jaw injury or trauma
• Swelling, fever, or signs of infection around the jaw or a tooth
• Progressive difficulty opening the mouth over weeks, or a change in how your teeth meet
• New numbness in the face

Ready When You Are

Most new patients are seen within a few days.

Book Your Visit → or call (612) 314-9482