How Your Neck Could Be the Cause of Jaw Pain

Many people who come to see us in Buderim are surprised to learn just how closely the neck and the jaw are connected. If you’ve ever struggled with jaw pain, clicking, stiffness, or even headaches, your neck may be playing a much bigger role than you realise.

As physiotherapists, Simon and I often treat patients who arrive thinking they have a “TMJ problem,” only to find that the real issue lies in the neck. Let’s look at why that happens — and what you can do about it.

Neck Problems can cause TMD

The Neck–Jaw Connection

The jaw (or temporomandibular joint, TMJ) is a joint like any other in the body. Just like the knee or shoulder, it relies on muscles, nerves, and bone alignment to function well. But unlike the knee or shoulder, it sits at the crossroads of your head and neck, which means any changes in posture or neck movement can have a direct effect on how the jaw feels and moves.

Two main mechanisms are usually at play:

Posture and Mechanics - Forward head posture — common in anyone who spends long hours at a desk or looking down at a phone — can shift the position of the jaw. Every inch the head drifts forward places extra load on the neck and changes how the jaw sits. Over time, this can strain the TMJ, leading to clicking, stiffness, or even inflammation.

Nerves and Referral - The upper cervical vertebrae (the top three bones in your neck) are closely linked with the trigeminal nerve, which controls much of the jaw’s sensation. Irritation here can create “trick signals,” where pain is felt in the jaw even though the joint itself is healthy. This is one reason some people with jaw pain actually have a neck problem.

Everyday Habits That Make Things Worse

Jaw pain isn’t always about a big injury. Often, it’s the small things we do daily without noticing:

• Leaning on your hand while working at the computer — this puts sideways pressure on the joint.

• Resting your jaw into your pillow at night — a simple change in sleep position can help reduce pressure.

• Caffeine overload — more than a couple of coffees a day can dehydrate muscles and increase clenching.

• Static sitting — staying in one position for too long tightens the muscles of the neck and jaw.

  
  

What You Can Do

Here are a few practical steps you can start today:

• Change positions every 30 minutes. Even standing up and stretching briefly helps reset the system.

• Check your posture. Ears in line with shoulders is a good guide. Try gently drawing your head back a few times a day.

• Avoid side pressure. Keep your hand off your jaw, and don’t use your teeth as tools.

• Think “little and often.” Short corrective movements sprinkled through the day work better than one long exercise session in the morning.

  
  

These small changes reduce strain, calm irritated nerves, and give your jaw the best chance to recover.

When to Seek Help

If you’ve tried simple changes but still struggle with jaw or neck pain, it’s worth being assessed. At our clinic in Buderim, Simon and I combine hands-on care with techniques like dry needling, acupuncture, laser therapy, and tailored movement strategies. The goal is always the same: to reduce pain, restore movement, and help you get back to the things you enjoy.

📍 Dental Physiotherapy with Lorraine Carroll & Simon CoghlanSuite 2, 24–26 Gloucester Road, Buderim, 4556📞 07 3532 8605🌐 www.lcscphysiotherapy.com.au💻 Book an appointment online

If jaw or neck pain is affecting your daily life, you don’t need to put up with it. Reach out — we’d be glad to help.

By Lorraine Carroll