TMJ and jaw
TMJ and jaw physiotherapy, Hobart
The jaw rarely works alone either.
Clicking, aching, tight when you chew, or tension that runs into your head and neck. We assess the jaw alongside the neck and upper back, and test what eases it in the first session.
Book initial assessment Our approach
No referral needed. All major health funds.
- No referral needed
- All major health funds
- GP care plans accepted
- Hobart
Jaw pain is often a load and tension problem, not just a joint problem. The neck, posture and clenching through the day all change how much the jaw has to do.
More than a clicking jaw.
TMJ problems usually show up as pain in front of the ear, clicking or catching when you open, tightness when you chew, or a jaw that feels stiff in the morning. It often comes with neck tension or headaches. We look at the jaw as part of a system with the neck and upper back.
Clicking or catching
A click, pop or catch when you open or chew.
Sore in front of the ear
Aching around the joint, worse with chewing or talking.
Clenching
Tight jaw muscles, often worst first thing in the morning.
Neck and headaches
Neck tension and headaches that travel with the jaw.
What's loading it.
When the muscles around the jaw are switched on all day, the joint carries more than it should. Neck and upper back position change how the jaw sits and moves too.
Clenching and grinding
Day or night, often without noticing.
Neck position
How the neck and head sit changes how the jaw works.
Upper back stiffness
A stiff upper back hands more load up the chain.
The other 23.5 hours
Screens, desks and how you sleep.
Guarding and tension
Bracing that keeps the jaw muscles switched on.
Load spikes
Hard or chewy food, long talks, or a dental visit.
Sound familiar?
- Clicking when I open
- Jaw feels tight
- Sore when I chew
- Clenching in my sleep
- Stiff jaw in the morning
- Headaches with it
- Neck tension too
- Hard to open wide
How we work through it.
We start with what eases it now, then work on the neck, upper back and habits that are loading your jaw.
Assess
We test your jaw movement, neck and upper back, and screen for anything that needs a GP or dentist first.
Explain
What's loading your jaw, in plain language.
Plan
A clear pathway, built around what you came in to get back to.
Load
Jaw control and relaxation first, then neck and upper back strength.
Measure
We re-test jaw opening, neck range and your symptoms as you go.
Progress
A routine you keep, so the jaw isn't carrying more than its share.
Three phases. Your pace.
Calm
Settle the pain and tension. You learn what flares it and what eases it.
Coordination and capacity
Retrain how the jaw, neck and upper back share the load.
Challenge
Strength and habits for life, so your jaw and neck stay on top of it.
What we measure.
A generic example of what we track. Your starting point is your own, which is why we measure rather than guess.
| Measure | Baseline | Re-test | What decides the next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaw opening | Limited or painful to open | Range and comfort opening | Comfortable opening moves you into neck and upper back loading |
| Clicking and pain | How often, what sets it off | Frequency and what sets it off | Fewer triggers means we add load and variety |
| Neck rotation | Stiff or sore turning | Range and comfort turning | Better neck range takes load off the jaw |
Keep building once the pain's gone.
Phase three happens in our own gym. When you're ready, Strength By Design is where that work carries on, coached and physio-designed.
What makes us different.
We look at how you move
Not just where it hurts. The movement pattern, the coordination, and what's actually loading the sore spot.
Strength is the treatment
Pain relief is the start. Loading the right muscles in the right order is the work that follows.
We explain the why
You leave every session knowing more about your body than when you arrived.
Progress you can see
We measure where you start and re-test as you go, so you always know where you're at.
One standard of care
Every physio works to the same assessment-led method, every session.
Clinic and gym under one roof
Seven treatment rooms and a private gym, run by the same team.
Common questions about jaw pain.
Can physio help with jaw pain?
Often, when the jaw is being overloaded by tension, the neck or how you move. We assess the jaw alongside the neck and upper back, and work with your dentist where that's needed.
Is the clicking a problem?
Not always. Clicking on its own is common and often painless. What matters is whether it comes with pain, catching or limited opening, and we'll walk you through what yours means.
Are jaw pain and headaches linked?
They can be. All our physios are trained in the Watson headache approach, and we assess whether your neck or jaw is driving your headaches before we treat them.
I've had jaw treatment before and it came back. What's different here?
Often the treatment eased the jaw without changing what was loading it. We look at the neck, upper back and the rest of your day, and build the strength and habits around that.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly without a GP referral, unless your insurer or GP has specified otherwise. If you have a GP care plan (CDM or EPC), we accept it: you pay the full fee, we lodge the Medicare claim for you, and Medicare pays the rebate to you.
Ready to get on top of your jaw pain?
No referral needed. All major health funds. GP care plans accepted. Hobart.
Or call or text 0483 947 716, or email hello@bydesignphysio.com