Is Your Jaw Pain Coming From Your Hips — or Your Airway? Unpacking the Whole-Body Causes of TMJ Dysfunction

If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain, clicking, clenching, or chronic headaches, you might assume the issue lies solely within the jaw joint itself. But here at Dental Physiotherapy with Lorraine Carroll & Simon Coghlan in Buderim, we prefer to see the bigger picture: TMJ dysfunction is rarely just about the jaw.

From your feet to your hips to your airway, the body operates as a single, interconnected system — and jaw pain may be a symptom of deeper, underlying issues.

Posture, Alignment & the TMJ: The Chain Reaction

Let’s start with posture. A misaligned pelvis or a forward head posture — common among people who sit for long hours or have had minor injuries — can cause a ripple effect up the spine, impacting the neck and eventually the jaw.

Over time, your body compensates for these imbalances. Muscles tighten, joints strain, and eventually, the TMJ can bear the brunt. This explains why some people develop jaw symptoms days or even weeks after a car accident, fall, or even a stressful period of poor posture.

In our clinic, we don’t just treat the jaw — we assess and restore the entire postural chain.

The Overlooked Connection: Tongue Posture, Airway & Sleep Apnoea

Another key — and often missed — piece of the puzzle? Your airway.

Many patients with TMJ problems also experience sleep-disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Low tongue posture — sometimes caused by tongue tie, chronic mouth breathing, or poor oral habits — restricts proper development of the upper jaw (maxilla), narrows the airway, and puts strain on the jaw and surrounding muscles.

This contributes to clenching and bruxism, especially during sleep, compounding TMJ symptoms.

We strongly believe in an integrated care model. That means:

• Screening for airway and sleep issues as part of our TMJ assessments

• Referring to trusted medical and dental professionals when further evaluation (e.g. sleep studies or myofunctional therapy) is needed

• Working collaboratively to ensure TMJ care supports a healthy airway, breathing, posture, and long-term stability

  
  

It’s not just about easing pain — it’s about supporting total body function.

What Makes Our Care Different

As a husband-and-wife team with decades of experience, we bring a unique blend of clinical insight, hands-on skill, and personalised attention to every session. You won’t find a one-size-fits-all approach here.

Our treatment toolbox includes:

• Manual therapy

• Dry needling

• Medical Acupuncture

• Laser therapy

• Movement and postural retraining

  
  

We design care plans that address you, not just your symptoms.

Relief That Goes Beyond the Jaw

If you’ve been chasing temporary relief without getting to the root of your TMJ symptoms, it might be time to think bigger. Whether the issue lies in your hips, posture, breathing, or jaw — or all of the above — we’re here to help uncover and address it.

Book an appointment today and take the first step towards lasting, whole-body relief.

📍 Dental Physiotherapy with Lorraine Carroll & Simon Coghlan 

Suite 2, 24-26 Gloucester Road, Buderim, QLD 4556📞 07 3532 8605🌐 www.lcscphysiotherapy.com.au📅 Online Bookings

By Simon Coghlan