Chiropractic Modalities for Head, Neck, and Jaw (TMJ) Pain

Chiropractic Modalities for Head, Neck, and Jaw (TMJ) Pain

Introduction

Headaches, neck pain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues affect many people and can significantly impact quality of life. Chiropractic care often focuses on the spine, but chiropractors may also provide conservative, non-invasive approaches that include manual therapy, exercise, and lifestyle advice that can aid with headaches and TMJ dysfunction. This blog reviews common signs and symptoms, outlines chiropractic modalities that may be used, and summarises the evidence for their effectiveness.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Headaches

• Tension-type: often linked to stress, posture, or muscle tension.
• Cervicogenic: pain referred from the neck, upper back, shoulders and TMJ to the head.
• Migraines: more complex, sometimes triggered by musculoskeletal factors.

Neck Pain

• Localise joint stiffness or soreness.
• Reduced range of motion (e.g: difficulty turning the head).
• Muscle tension in the shoulders or upper back.

Jaw (TMJ) Pain

• Clicking, popping, or grinding when opening or closing the mouth.
• Pain when chewing or speaking.
• Limited opening of the jaw.

Chiropractic Modalities That May Be Used

1. Spinal manipulation and mobilisation

• Techniques applied to the cervical spine (neck) or jaw joint to improve mobility and reduce mechanical stress.

2. Soft tissue therapies

• Myofascial release, trigger point therapy, or stretching of tight muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, or jaw muscles.

3. Exercise prescription

• Targeted exercises for neck stabilisation, jaw relaxation, or posture correction.
• Evidence suggests that combining manual therapy with exercise enhances outcomes.

4. Ergonomic and lifestyle advice

• Guidance on desk setup, screen height, pillow choice, or stress management to reduce recurrence.

5. Adjunctive modalities

• Some chiropractors incorporate low-level laser therapy, dry needling, or taping techniques where appropriate.

• These are considered supportive rather than primary approaches.

Evidence and Research

1. The 2025 systematic review by Diao and colleagues evaluated the effectiveness and safety of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for acute neck pain. The analysis included randomized controlled trials and found that SMT may provide short-term pain relief and functional improvement compared with other conservative treatments.

2. This systematic review and meta-analysis (Herrera-Valencia et al., 2020) evaluated the medium- and long-term effects of manual therapy, alone or combined with therapeutic exercise, for people with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD). Across the included randomized controlled trials (with at least 3 months follow-up), the study found that manual therapy significantly improved pain and maximum mouth opening compared to baseline. The improvements tended to reduce over time if no exercise was added. When manual therapy was combined with therapeutic exercise, the positive effects were more sustained in the long term.

Pros and Cons

Potential Benefits:

• Care is non-invasive and does not rely on medication.
• Some people may experience reduced pain, better movement, and improved day-to-day function.
• Treatment often includes advice and exercises, helping patients take an active role in their recovery.

Limitations:

• Outcomes can differ from person to person.
• The research evidence is stronger for neck pain and certain headache types, but less consistent for TMJ-related problems.
• In some cases, additional care from other health professionals (such as a dentist, GP, or physiotherapist) may be needed.

Closing Thoughts

Chiropractic care may form part of a management strategy for headaches, neck discomfort, and TMJ issues. Evidence supports benefits in certain cases, particularly when manual therapy is combined with exercise and education.

At Lakeside Chiropractic, we are committed to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs. If you’re dealing with head or neck pain or any musculoskeletal pain in general that just won’t ease up, book in for an assessment to find out what might be the causes behind it.

📍 Find us in Joondalup

📅 Book online: https://www.lakesidechiro.com.au/

While results can differ from person to person, many find that this multi-modal approach supports gradual improvement. If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain, call us on 9300 0095 to see how we can help, or visit our website for more information.

📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup. If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.

References

1. Diao, Y., Li, L., Zhang, C., & Wang, H. (2025). Efficacy and safety of spinal manipulative therapy in the management of acute neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 14(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02855-7
2. Herrera-Valencia, A., Ruiz-Muñoz, M., Martin-Martin, J., Cuesta-Vargas, A., & González-Sánchez, M. (2020). Efficacy of manual therapy in temporomandibular joint disorders and its medium- and long-term effects on pain and maximum mouth opening: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(11), 3404. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9113404