Locking jaw, pain or difficulty chewing?
What Is the TMJ – and Why Does It Hurt?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the small but powerful hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. You have one on each side of your head, just in front of your ears. These joints allow you to chew, speak, yawn, and express emotion – so when they go wrong, it can cause a surprising amount of discomfort.
TMJ dysfunction can lead to:
Clicking, popping or grinding in the jaw
Difficulty or pain when opening your mouth
Jaw locking
Headaches, earache or facial pain
Neck tension and poor sleep
What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?
The jaw is a complicated joint, which means the causes of TMJ issues are often not clear. Common causes include:
Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
Poor posture and neck tension
Stress and muscle overuse
Injury to the jaw or face
Arthritis or wear and tear within the joint
How Can We Help Your Jaw?
Physiotherapist Kerry-Lee and osteopath Georgie McGahey specialise in treating TMJ problems. Using gentle, hands-on techniques and tailored exercises, they can help to:
Release tight jaw and neck muscles
Improve joint mobility
Correct postural habits
Reduce pain and inflammation
Restore confidence in normal jaw movement
Treatment may also include advice on jaw relaxation techniques, sleep posture and self-care strategies.
What happens at an appointment?
We begin with a thorough assessment of your jaw movement, muscle function, neck alignment, and daily habits. Kerry-Lee may use:
Manual therapy
Trigger point release
Postural correction
Exercise-based rehabilitation
Education and stress reduction strategies
You’ll leave your first appointment with a clearer understanding of your jaw pain and a plan to manage it.
How will you feel after treatment?
Most people feel a sense of release, relaxation and relief – especially if they’ve been holding tension in their jaw for a long time. While TMJ problems often take a few sessions to settle fully, many patients report improvement after just one or two treatments.
We also support you in building healthy habits that keep symptoms from coming back.
Kerry says:
“Enjoy chewing and talking knowing your jaw won’t lock or ache.”
