Often people don’t know what to do with jaw pain. Quite often it can be managed easily in clinic.

As well as checking the jaw, our chiropractors and osteopaths will check how other structures - including how the neck and upper back are doing. This is because tightness in one area can have a knock-on effect on others. 

Why does jaw pain happen?

Simply put, the jaw is like any other joint in the body, meaning that it is prone to the complaints all the other joints are.

The jaw is effectively a work horse. The muscles that surround it are some of the strongest in the body and get used when we eat and talk. When we clench our jaw we also use the muscles to do it - this can be a factor why people notice joint tension (and jaw pain) increases when stress does.

Things you can do to help

• if you are already noticing jaw tension, avoid anything which excessively 'works out' the jaw, such as chewing gum

• If you notice your jaw is tight on a regular basis, it is worth consulting your dentist. Bruxism (grinding the teeth) is commonly seen with jaw pain, and your dentist can discuss ways to protect your teeth. 

• Whenever you realise you are grinding the teeth, try and relax. It's difficult to do this every time, but even if you catch yourself occasionally, it does make a difference. An idea is to find 'triggers' throughout the day where you take a moment to relax the jaw (such as when you answer the phone, get in or out of the car etc). This way, relaxing will almost become second nature. 

• Exercise the jaw - on a regular basis open and close your jaw as wide as you can (without causing pain), and then gently let it drift side to side.

How we can help

Chiropractic and osteopathy are often a good strategy to help manage jaw pain; chiropractors and osteopaths are trained to treat every joint in the body - including the jaw. 

At The Hive Health we check the function of the jaw and the surrounding muscles and joints. This is because we often find that jaw pain has a relationship with tightness around the neck and upper back as well. 

Treatment itself varies person to person; a thorough examination is always needed beforehand to see whether our care is suitable for you, and treatment options are always discussed on the first appointment. 

For more information, you can email us, or book online. 



This is intended for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please contact your GP or healthcare provider if you have any medical questions.