Jaw Pain Warrnambool: Causes, Risk Factors and Solutions

Written By Fabian Storer

Jaw Pain Warrnambool

Jaw pain hurts. The jaw is the most used joint in the body. We are talking, eating, smiling, laughing, swallowing, this joint doesn’t get a lot of time to rest. And if you’re grinding your teeth at night? Jaw pain is inevitable. Finding a chiropractor in Warrnambool with additional training in the jaw (TMJ) is your first step. But before you do, throw away your chewing gum, your jaw pain might just disappear.

Here I am, a Warrnambool chiropractor that decided, hey you know what? I know nothing about the jaw. I went to uni for five years and although the training of the jaw was decent, I must have been focused on something else! I noticed that I knew nothing and didn’t have anywhere to send my patients. I found myself recommending people go to Ocean Grove to see a chiropractor there.

I’ve since let my curiosity of the jaw grow and have learnt a lot. I no longer shy away from a patient with jaw pain and I enjoy educating my patients on how to help themselves when jaw pain arises.

What causes jaw pain?

  • Tight muscles

  • Degenerated temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

  • Misalignment of the TMJ

  • Ligamentous Instability

  • Poor posture

  • Previous trauma to the area

  • Teeth grinding (bruxism)

  • Inflammation

  • Emotional stress, anxiety, depression

As a chiropractor, my role is to determine the root cause of your jaw pain. It can be a few things, it can be simply a tight muscle (the temporalis and the masseter are big players when it comes to jaw pain). The connection between the neck and the TMJ is also well-documented, and addressing posture will often lead to significant improvements in your jaw pain.

Risk factors for jaw pain

There are some factors that increase the likelihood of developing TMJ dysfunction or jaw pain:

  • Dentoskeletal Malocclusion (affecting bite function, facial symmetry)

  • Teeth Grinding

  • Sleep Quality and Sleep Apnea

  • Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Conditions

  • Migraine & Headaches

  • Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

  • Genetic Factors

  • Dental procedures

  • Smoking

  • Trauma (both major and minor injuries)

What does normal jaw function look like?

A healthy jaw should have:

  • Mouth opening between 42-50mm

  • Smooth movement from side to side without pain

  • No clicking or popping sounds

  • No pain on movement

  • Rotation of the TMJ before translation when opening the mouth

  • No active or latent trigger points in the jaw muscles

However, this level of function is rare. I can certainly find trigger points in a lot of temporalis muscles that I work with.

Jaw pain causes

When assessing jaw pain, it’s essential to consider various lifestyle, emotional, and medical factors:

  • Trauma: Have you experienced a blow to the face, jaw injury, dental trauma, or whiplash?

  • Lifestyle: Do you smoke? What is your diet like? How active are you?

  • Sleep Quality: Do you snore? Grind your teeth? Stop breathing while sleeping? Experience daytime sleepiness?

  • Emotional Health: Do you struggle with anxiety, stress, or depression? Have you been diagnosed with a mental health condition?

  • Other Health Conditions: Do you have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, or chronic headaches?

  • Previous Treatments: What treatments have you tried, and were they helpful?

Practical advice for jaw pain

Without a full assessment, it’s hard to know exactly what’s causing your pain. However, if you are researching self help options, read on.

Gentle Jaw Massage

  • Use light circular motions to massage the jaw muscles, avoid pressing on the joint itself.

  • Less is more—avoid pressing too hard.

  • Breathe deeply and relax while massaging.

Postural Exercises

  • Posture. Posture. Posture. Sit tall and lift your sternum as if a hook is gently pulling it upward.

  • Pull your shoulder blades together and hold for 10 seconds, repeating up to 10 times per day.

  • Incorporate neck and shoulder stretches. Hold your stretches for 30 seconds per side.

Tongue, teeth, and breathing awareness

  • Avoid chewing hard foods or opening the mouth too wide during painful episodes.

  • When relaxed, your teeth should not touch.

  • Maintain the lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting behind the top teeth (the “N” position- N position - You’re about to say the word nice, notice where your tongue sits as you make the nnnnn sound), breathing through the nose.

  • Practice diaphragmatic breathing regularly.

Thoracic and cervical exercises

  • Sit or stand with your hands intertwined behind your head.

  • Press your head back into your hands and tuck your chin slightly.

  • Pull your shoulder blades and elbows back, imagining trying to put your shoulder blades into your back pockets.

  • Hold for 15-20 seconds, ensuring your teeth are slightly apart and breathing normally through your nose.

  • Repeat multiple times per day, especially if you spend long hours sitting or using screens.

Seeking help?

If you wish to take the next step, contact the clinic and let them know you’re experiencing jaw pain. Our receptionist can then book you in for an assessment with myself, Bridget Lane, Warrnambool Chiropractor.

Fabian Storer
Next

Foundations of Attachment Theory