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Jaw Pain

Painful jaw: understanding common tensions and imbalances

Different types of jaw pain

Jaw pain is often underestimated, yet it can significantly affect daily life. Discomfort while chewing, tension behind the cheeks, clicking or locking of the joint—these symptoms can have various causes, whether muscular, joint-related, or stress-induced.

Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to understand the root cause of the pain and gently relieve the tension affecting the jaw, skull, neck, and overall posture.

Muscle pain related to stress or bruxism

Pain caused by excessive contraction of the jaw muscles, often due to stress or teeth grinding (bruxism), especially at night.

Symptoms:

  • Tension or fatigue in the cheeks upon waking

  • Diffuse pain around the temples or ears

  • Constant sensation of a "tight" jaw

  • Headaches or associated neck pain

  • Clicking when opening the mouth

food can aggravate bruxism

Jaw locking or limited mouth opening

Pain accompanied by difficulty opening the mouth wide, often caused by a joint disorder or muscular imbalance.

Symptoms:

  • Limited mouth opening

  • Pain while chewing or yawning

  • Sensation of blockage or mechanical resistance

  • Jaw deviation upon opening

  • Pain that increases at the end of the day

jaw diagram

Cracking or popping of the joint

Presence of joint noises (clicking, cracking) during jaw movements, which may or may not be painful.

Symptoms:

  • Cracking when opening or closing the mouth

  • Sometimes accompanied by pain or discomfort

  • Sensation of friction or joint misalignment

  • Often appears on only one side

  • Can occur without an apparent cause

jaw clicking

Referred pain from cervical or postural origin

Pain felt in the jaw can stem from postural tension or a cervical dysfunction.

Symptoms:

  • Pain radiating from the neck to the jaw

  • Discomfort more pronounced in certain postures

  • Pain without visible dental or joint issues

  • Associated neck or shoulder stiffness

  • Sometimes issues with occlusion or balance

jaw pain osteopathy Cannes Olivier Servetti

Relieve jaw pain with osteopathy

Jaw pain—often linked to stress, bruxism (teeth grinding), poor posture, or joint disorders—can have a significant impact on daily life. It can interfere with chewing, speaking, and sleeping, and is sometimes accompanied by neck pain, headaches, or tension in the temples.

Also read: Foods that can worsen bruxism

Osteopathy offers a personalized approach to relieve this pain by addressing both local tension and imbalances elsewhere in the body.

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In addition to dental or medical follow-up when needed, the osteopath performs a full-body evaluation to determine the source of dysfunction. They focus on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), but also examine related areas such as the cervical spine, skull, diaphragm, and overall posture.

Also read: Jaw pain—could it be a temporomandibular disorder?

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The goal is to restore proper joint mobility, relax tense muscles, and rebalance jaw movement within the body as a whole. This helps reduce pain, relieve chronic tension, and prevent recurrence.

Depending on the individual case, osteopathic treatment may also include work on several factors associated with jaw pain, such as:

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  • Function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

  • Mobility of the skull and upper cervical spine

  • Muscle tension (masseter, pterygoid, and neck muscles)

  • Breathing and diaphragm function

  • Overall posture, head and back alignment

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Also read: Everyday posture—between pain and solutions.

Practical tips

🧘‍♀️ Consciously relax your jaw

Take a few moments several times a day to check if you're clenching your teeth. Relax your jaw, release your teeth, and let your tongue rest gently against the roof of your mouth without effort.

🪥 Avoid chewing unilaterally

Chewing on the same side all the time can create a muscle imbalance. Try alternating sides during meals to distribute the effort and avoid chronic tension.

😬 Reduce teeth grinding (bruxism)

If you grind your teeth at night, try relaxing your face before bed. Relaxation techniques or a warm bath in the evening can help reduce nighttime contractions.

🌬️ Work on your breathing

Slow, abdominal, and regular breathing helps naturally relax the muscles of the face, neck, and shoulders. This reduces tension that can affect the jaw.

Frequently asked questions

  • Pain and osteopathy

    Jaw pain can be linked to several factors: muscle tension due to stress, bruxism (teeth grinding), poor posture, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, or dental occlusion imbalance. It can also be the result of trauma or a global postural imbalance.

  • Pain and osteopathy

    The most common symptoms include pain in front of the ear, cracking or popping when opening the mouth, difficulty chewing, speaking, or yawning, and limited mouth opening. Some patients also experience neck pain, headaches, or tension in the cheeks.

  • Sprain

    It is advisable to consult if the pain becomes recurrent, if you have difficulty opening your mouth, painful clicking, or if you clench or grind your teeth, especially at night. The osteopath can intervene at the first signs to prevent the discomfort from settling in or worsening.

  • Osteopathic care

    Osteopathy works by releasing muscle tension and rebalancing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as well as the related structures (cervicals, skull, posture). The treatment aims to restore proper jaw mobility, correct imbalances, and provide lasting pain relief.

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