Services · TMD · Sandy Bay, Hobart

Jaw pain & TMD disorders

Written by Frances Roberts , Last reviewed April 2026

Jaw pain can be surprisingly disruptive, affecting eating, sleeping, and even speaking. Many patients arrive having already seen their GP or dentist without resolution. In most cases, physio can help.

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Do any of these sound familiar?

TMD disorders, formally called temporomandibular dysfunction or TMD, present in many different ways:

 Jaw or face pain
 Clicking or popping
 Difficulty opening wide 
 Jaw locking 
 Persistent headaches 
 Teeth grinding 
 Ear pain or fullness 
 Neck pain or stiffness 
 Pain after dental work

Unexplained headaches or ear symptoms are also commonly driven by an unrecognised jaw or neck problem.

WHAT WE TREAT

Three broad presentations

Muscular TMD (most common) Pain from the muscles that move the jaw, worsened by clenching, grinding, or stress. Responds very well to physiotherapy.

Joint-related TMD (joint-related) Involves the joint structure itself, including the disc. Symptoms include clicking, catching, or limited opening.

Cervicogenic symptoms (neck-driven) The upper neck shares nerve pathways with the jaw and face. Neck dysfunction is frequently the underlying cause and is often missed.

Your first appointment

A TMD assessment at AllCare is calm, non-invasive, and thorough. We look at the jaw, neck, and contributing factors together, because that is often where assessments elsewhere fall short.

MOVEMENT

- Jaw range and tracking

- Movement quality

- Neck mobility

MUSCLE AND JOINT

- Muscle tone and tenderness

- Motor control

- Joint mechanics

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

- Posture and jaw habits

- Tongue position

- Stress and loading

Initial appointments are 45 to 60 minutes.

How we treat it

HANDS-ON

- Joint mobilisation

- Soft tissue massage

- Dry needling

EXERCISE

- Jaw and neck exercises

- Motor control

- Postural correction

SELF-MANAGEMENT

- Habit modification

- Relaxation strategies

- Pain education

Working alongside your dentist: Physiotherapy addresses the muscles, neck, and nervous system. Dentistry addresses teeth, occlusion, and joint structure. The two approaches complement each other well, and we are happy to liaise with your dental team where needed.

Questions we hear most

Can a physio help with teeth grinding?

Yes. While a dentist can protect your teeth with a splint, physiotherapy addresses the muscle tension and jaw habits that cause the grinding. The two approaches work well together.

My dentist says my jaw is fine but I still have pain. Can physio help?

Absolutely. A dental assessment does not typically assess the muscles, the neck, or the neural components. Many patients with normal dental findings have a muscular or cervicogenic source of symptoms that physiotherapy is well-placed to treat.

Do I need a referral?

No. Book directly with us. If your GP or dentist has written a referral, bring it along, but it is not required.

Not sure if this is right for you?

Call us on (03) 6224 9777 and we are happy to talk through your situation before you book. No referral needed.

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Our team

Book with our TMJ physiotherapists

Jason and Ross both have a particular focus on jaw conditions and see TMD as a core part of their clinical practice.

Jason Rogers
PhD Candidate, Titled APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Jason has over 20 years of clinical experience and is completing a PhD at the Menzies Institute. His research and clinical focus includes jaw conditions and complex musculoskeletal presentations. He is one of a small number of APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists in Tasmania.

Ross Matton
Senior Physiotherapist, TMJ & Vestibular
Ross has a clinical focus in jaw disorders, dizziness, and neck-related conditions. His experience with the connection between the jaw, neck, and vestibular system means he is well-placed for patients whose TMJ symptoms are accompanied by headaches, dizziness, or ear symptoms.

Not sure if this is right for you?
If you have jaw pain, face pain, unexplained headaches, or have been told your symptoms might be jaw or neck related, it is worth a conversation. Call us on (03) 6224 9777 and we are happy to talk through your situation before you book.

Book an appointment