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Home / Conditions / TMJ Dysfunction
Jaw pain, clicking, facial tension, or headaches that seem to have no clear origin are often connected to the temporomandibular joint. Dr Oliver Dans assesses the jaw alongside the cervical spine and surrounding musculature to identify what is contributing and direct treatment toward the source.
Dr Oliver Dans
The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull on each side of the face, just in front of the ears. It is one of the most frequently used joints in the body, involved in talking, chewing, yawning, and swallowing. When this joint or the muscles controlling it are not functioning normally, the result is a range of symptoms collectively referred to as TMJ dysfunction or temporomandibular disorder.
TMJ dysfunction can affect one or both sides of the jaw and tends to develop gradually, often without a clear triggering event. Stress, teeth grinding, poor bite alignment, posture, and upper cervical spine dysfunction can all contribute to the condition, either individually or in combination.
TMJ dysfunction presents differently between patients. The symptoms can be localised to the jaw or spread into the surrounding areas. Common presentations include:
Stress is one of the most common contributors to TMJ dysfunction. It produces habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth, often during sleep, that places sustained and significant load on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Over time this creates inflammation, muscle fatigue, and joint irritation that persists even after the stress itself is managed.
The way the upper and lower teeth meet affects how load is distributed through the jaw joint during chewing and at rest. Changes in bite alignment, whether from dental work, tooth loss, or jaw injury, can shift this load unevenly and contribute to TMJ dysfunction over time.
The muscles, nerves, and fascial connections linking the jaw to the upper cervical spine mean that dysfunction in either area can influence the other. Upper cervical joint restriction, forward head posture, and cervical muscle tension all affect the position and function of the jaw. This connection is frequently overlooked in assessments that focus only on the jaw without evaluating the neck.
The trigeminal nerve, which supplies the jaw and face, shares connections with the upper cervical nerve pathways. The muscles controlling jaw position also have functional relationships with the neck and shoulder girdle. When the upper cervical spine is restricted or the head sits forward of the shoulders, the jaw is forced to compensate in how it sits and moves.
This is why a jaw pain chiropractor who evaluates and treats the cervical spine alongside the jaw tends to produce more complete results than an approach that addresses each in isolation. Patients who have had jaw-focused treatment with limited improvement often find that addressing the cervical component changes the picture significantly.
TMJ dysfunction chiropractic treatment at Integrating Wellness addresses both the jaw and the cervical spine, recognising that the two are functionally connected. Dr Oliver’s assessment identifies the degree of joint involvement, the muscular contributors, and the role of the cervical spine before determining the treatment approach.
Where the temporomandibular joint itself is restricted or inflamed, gentle mobilisation and specific soft tissue work to the muscles of mastication help restore normal movement and reduce the local joint load. Dr Oliver is trained in craniosacral work, which is directly relevant to jaw and temporal bone presentations.
Restricted movement in the upper cervical spine is a common finding in TMJ presentations and often perpetuates jaw symptoms when left unaddressed. Targeted cervical adjustment and mobilisation as a chiropractor for jaw pain forms a core part of the approach at Integrating Wellness.
The muscles of the jaw, temples, and neck frequently carry significant tension in TMJ dysfunction. Releasing this through soft tissue therapy reduces the load on the joint and supports the changes achieved through adjustment and mobilisation.
Where stress and habitual clenching are identified as contributors, addressing nervous system regulation is part of the broader approach. This connects to Dr Oliver’s training in nervous system care and Applied Kinesiology, and may include practical guidance on stress management and sleep habits where relevant.
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Dr Oliver Dans holds a Masters in Chiropractic with additional qualifications in Applied Kinesiology and training in craniosacral work. His approach to TMJ dysfunction draws on the intersection of jaw mechanics, cervical spine function, and nervous system regulation, making it particularly relevant for presentations that have not responded to jaw-focused treatment alone.
Dr Oliver practises from the Golden Plains Medical Centre in Bannockburn, alongside local GPs, and sees patients from Bannockburn, Lethbridge, Meredith, Inverleigh, and across the Golden Plains Shire.
Jaw pain, clicking, or facial tension that has been persisting or keeps returning is worth having assessed. Book your first consultation with Dr Oliver for $79, which includes a full assessment, clear explanation of your symptoms and what is contributing to them, and initial treatment.
All three can have a role depending on what is contributing to the dysfunction. A dentist is the appropriate first contact for bite alignment issues, tooth grinding management such as a splint, or dental structural problems. A physiotherapist may focus on jaw muscle rehabilitation. A chiropractor for TMJ is particularly relevant where the cervical spine, jaw muscles, and nervous system are contributing, or where jaw-focused treatment has not produced adequate improvement. For complex presentations, co-management between professions often produces the best results, and Dr Oliver will advise if a referral or coordinated approach is appropriate.
It varies considerably between patients. Some experience primarily jaw pain and clicking. Others present with facial tension, headaches, ear discomfort, or difficulty opening the mouth fully. Symptoms are often worse in the morning if clenching or grinding during sleep is involved. The connection to neck symptoms and headaches is common but frequently not recognised as related until a thorough assessment is completed.
Jaw clicking is common and does not always indicate significant dysfunction. It is produced by changes in the position of the soft disc within the joint during movement. Clicking that is painless and not accompanied by other symptoms may not require treatment. Clicking alongside jaw pain, restriction, facial tension, or headaches is more likely to reflect underlying dysfunction that warrants assessment.
Yes. The muscles of the jaw and temples are closely linked to the trigeminal nerve pathways that are also involved in many headache presentations. Tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles can contribute to headaches at the temples, behind the eyes, or at the base of the skull. The upper cervical connection compounds this further, meaning TMJ dysfunction can contribute to cervicogenic headache patterns as well as tension headaches.
This depends on how long the dysfunction has been present, how much cervical involvement there is, and how significant the muscular and joint components are. Dr Oliver will give you a realistic outline at your first visit. Most patients notice some improvement in their symptoms within the first few visits, with more significant change over subsequent weeks as the jaw and cervical spine are addressed together.
TMJ dysfunction frequently overlaps with or contributes to other presentations. These pages may also be relevant to you.
