The Jaw: TMJ Dysfunction & Treatment by Osteopaths
Updated: 6 days ago
By Andy Duckmanton, BOst (Hons), GOsC registered osteopath.
Editorial update: 15 October 2026.
Jaw pain, stiffness or locking can make eating and speaking uncomfortable. Problems affecting the jaw joints or chewing muscles are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Jaw symptoms are not a large part of my Eastbourne practice, but I can assess whether osteopathic care is appropriate or whether you need dental or medical advice.
Anatomy of the Jaw
There is a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on each side of the face, just in front of the ear. The two joints work together to move the lower jaw.
Although the joint behaves largely like a hinge joint, it also moves side to side and forwards and backwards. Sometimes it’s one of these additional movements that is lost or affected when the joint is dysfunctional.
A cartilage disc sits between the joint surfaces and helps them move smoothly. Changes in its position or movement can sometimes contribute to clicking or locking, but jaw pain can also come from the surrounding muscles. Painless clicking without locking is common and usually does not need treatment; painful clicking or restricted movement should be assessed.
Causes of Jaw Problems
Trauma
Jaw pain and stiffness can follow an injury, such as a blow during contact sport. Holding your mouth open for a long dental procedure can also leave the joint or muscles sore. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed rather than assumed to be simple muscle tension.
After an injury, seek dental or medical advice, particularly if your teeth are damaged or jaw movement is restricted. Go to A&E or call 999 for a serious face or jaw injury, bleeding from the mouth that will not stop, or swelling that affects breathing. Do not wait for an osteopathy appointment in these circumstances.
Stress
Stress and anxiety can make jaw symptoms worse. Clenching or grinding the teeth, including during sleep, may add to discomfort, but TMD rarely has one simple explanation. A dentist can check for tooth damage and advise if grinding is a concern.
Relaxation and attention to sleep may help you manage symptoms. Avoid gum chewing and try to keep your teeth apart when you are not eating. During a painful flare-up, softer foods may be easier to manage. A dentist or other treating clinician can advise on suitable jaw exercises.
Neck Symptoms and Posture
Neck discomfort can occur alongside jaw pain, but this does not establish posture as the cause. Advice about your desk or driving position should focus on comfort and reducing strain, rather than trying to correct one supposedly ideal posture.
Osteopathic Assessment
If you book an assessment, I will ask about your symptoms and examine relevant jaw and neck movement. We can discuss whether advice, exercises or hands-on care are suitable, or whether a dentist or GP should assess you first. Treatment aims to help symptoms and function; it cannot guarantee to stop clicking or reposition a disc.
When to Seek Medical Help
Seek an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if your jaw is locking, you cannot open your mouth properly, or pain prevents you from eating or drinking. Read the NHS guidance on TMD for further advice.
New jaw pain when chewing alongside a severe headache, scalp tenderness or changes in vision needs urgent medical assessment. These symptoms should not be assumed to be a jaw-joint problem. Contact a GP urgently or NHS 111; vision changes need same-day assessment.