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TMJ · Jaw clicking

Jaw pain& locked jaw.

A jaw that clicks, aches or will not open fully: gentle hands-on treatment and exercise to get it moving freely again.

What it is

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the lower jaw to the skull, just in front of the ears, and they move every time you speak, chew or yawn. TMJ disorders cover pain in these joints and the chewing muscles, clicking, and a jaw that catches or locks. Common contributors include clenching or grinding, stress, long periods of chewing, and neck and posture problems. Physiotherapy is a recognised treatment, often alongside care from a dentist.

How we treat it

  1. 01An assessment of how the jaw opens and moves, the chewing muscles and the neck.
  2. 02Gentle manual therapy to the jaw joint and muscles to restore movement.
  3. 03Exercises to improve control of jaw opening and relax overactive muscles.
  4. 04Treatment of the neck and posture where they are contributing.
  5. 05Advice on habits such as clenching, chewing and resting jaw position.

When to see a doctor first. See a doctor or dentist first if jaw pain follows a blow to the face, if you cannot close your mouth, if there is facial swelling or fever, or if jaw pain comes on with exertion together with chest or arm pain.

From patients who had it

  • I was dealing with a locked jaw that made eating and talking really difficult and it was painful too. Dr. Vaishali Rauniyar is so knowledgeable, gentle, and effective. She explained everything clearly and worked on my jaw until it was completely unlocked. Now my jaw is moving freely again and pain-free.

    Patil AmarLocked jaw · Google review

Commonquestions.

Can a physiotherapist treat a locked jaw?
In many cases, yes. Gentle manual therapy and specific exercises can help a jaw that catches or will not open fully, depending on the cause, which the assessment identifies.
Should I see a dentist or a physiotherapist?
Often both work well together. A dentist can check the teeth and bite and may provide a night splint for grinding; physiotherapy treats the joint, muscles and movement. If you need a dental opinion, we will tell you.
Is jaw clicking a problem?
Clicking on its own, without pain or locking, is common and often not a concern. It is worth having assessed if it comes with pain, catching or difficulty opening.

Treatments we use for it

Other conditions