If your jaw clicks, catches, or feels stuck when you open your mouth — you’re not alone.
Many people ignore it for months (or years) because it doesn’t hurt much… at first.
Until one day:
- It becomes painful
- It locks
- You can’t open fully
- Chewing feels difficult
- Headaches start increasing
Let’s break down what’s actually happening.
Why Does the Jaw Click?
Inside your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sits a small cartilage disc.
This disc helps the joint glide smoothly when you:
- Talk
- Eat
- Yawn
- Chew
A clicking sound usually means the disc is slightly displaced and then snapping back into position during movement.
This is called disc displacement with reduction.
If it progresses, it may stop reducing — and that’s when opening becomes limited or painful.
Why Does It Happen?
Common contributing factors include:
- Jaw clenching or grinding
- Stress and nervous system tension
- Trauma (even mild)
- Prolonged dental work
- Poor tongue posture
- Neck dysfunction
- Upper cervical stiffness
The jaw and upper neck are deeply connected neurologically and mechanically.
It is rarely “just the jaw”.
Signs You Should Get It Assessed
- Clicking that is getting louder or more frequent
- Pain with chewing
- Difficulty opening wide
- Jaw deviation (opening to one side)
- Episodes of locking
- Associated headaches or ear symptoms
Early assessment prevents long-term joint irritation.
What Physiotherapy Can Do
Treatment is specific and gentle. It may include:
- Joint mobility techniques
- Muscle release (internal and external if appropriate)
- Jaw control retraining
- Tongue posture correction
- Bite awareness training
- Neck mobility and stability work
- Stress and breathing strategies
We assess how your jaw opens, how it glides, and how your neck contributes.
Often small corrections make a big difference.
Should You Stop It Clicking?
Not necessarily.
If it clicks but is pain-free and has full range, we monitor and strengthen.
If it clicks AND:
- hurts
- locks
- limits opening
That’s when intervention is important.
The Good News
Jaw joints respond very well to early treatment.
Most clients improve significantly with:
- Load modification
- Targeted exercises
- Reduced clenching
- Improved neck function
You don’t need to “just live with it.”
And you definitely don’t need to wait until it locks.
If your jaw is clicking, catching, or limiting your eating or talking — it’s worth having it properly assessed.
Because the earlier we address it, the simpler it is to resolve.
Learn more here Headache, Migraine, Jaw and Neck Pain Physio