Is Your Head Putting Pressure on Your Jaw? The Link Between Forward Head Posture and TMJ Pain

In today’s digital age, many of us are glued to screens—working, reading, or scrolling through social media—often without noticing how our posture is changing. One of the most common and overlooked results? Forward head posture. This seemingly minor misalignment can have a domino effect, contributing to chronic neck pain, tension headaches, and, increasingly, TMD (temporomandibular disorder), a condition that affects the jaw.

At Dental Physiotherapy with Lorraine Carroll & Simon Coghlan in Buderim, we’re seeing more and more patients struggling with jaw pain and stiffness, often without realising that poor posture may be a key culprit.

The Forward Head Posture

What Is Forward Head Posture?

Forward head posture happens when the head juts forward from its ideal alignment above the spine. For every inch your head moves forward, the pressure on your neck muscles and cervical spine can double. Over time, this constant strain can lead to:

• Jaw pain and TMD

• Neck and shoulder stiffness

• Headaches and facial tension

• Clicking or popping in the jaw

• Ear pain and discomfort

  
  

The Surprising Connection Between Your Neck and Jaw

The jaw and neck are deeply connected. When your head shifts forward, it destabilises the muscles that support your jaw, disrupting natural movement patterns and causing unnecessary stress. This misalignment can impact how your jaw opens, closes, and rests, especially during everyday activities like eating or speaking.

Why This Matters for Families, Parents, and Older Adults

Whether you're helping the kids with homework, spending long hours at a desk, or catching up on the latest Netflix series, chances are you’re not paying much attention to your posture. Over time, poor alignment becomes the new normal — until the pain begins.

For our patients, the concern isn’t just discomfort — it’s how this pain disrupts daily life. It affects how you sleep, concentrate, or enjoy meals with loved ones. And many are left wondering, “Is there a better way to manage this?”

How We Help You Feel Better

At our Buderim clinic, we take an integrated, hands-on approach to TMD and postural dysfunction. With over 25 years of experience, we understand the nuances of how posture, muscle tension, and joint alignment interact.

We combine manual therapy, dry needling, medical acupuncture, laser therapy, and corrective exercises, tailored specifically to your needs. For forward head posture, our treatment plan often includes:

• Postural retraining to help bring your head and neck back into natural alignment

• Targeted TMJ therapy to reduce jaw pain and tension

• Breathing and tongue posture work, especially for mouth breathers

• Education and home strategies so you feel confident managing symptoms between sessions

  
  

We don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” fix. That’s why every treatment begins with a thorough assessment and a clear, supportive plan — so you know exactly what’s going on and what steps to take next.

Ready to Stop the Cycle of Pain?

If you're dealing with persistent jaw tension, neck stiffness, or headaches, you don’t have to go it alone. We’re here to help you move better, feel better, and get back to living the life you love.

👉 Book your appointment today📍 Suite 2, 24–26 Gloucester Road, Buderim, QLD 4556📞 07 3532 8605 🌐 www.lcscphysiotherapy.com.au 📅 Book online now

By Lorraine Carroll