Understanding TMJ Pain & How Myotherapy Can Help

TMJ internal release
Date posted
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most unique joints in the body. It connects your jaw to your skull and works as a paired system—meaning both sides must move together in a coordinated way every time you open or close your mouth. Because of this complexity, it’s also a joint that commonly develops dysfunction.

Why is TMJ pain so common?

Many people don’t realise how frequently TMJ issues occur. Some of the most common contributing factors include:

  • Orthodontic or major dental work history
    Changes in bite or jaw alignment can alter how the joint functions over time.
  • Jaw clenching and grinding (bruxism)
    Often linked to stress or occurring during sleep, bruxism places repeated load on the joint and surrounding muscles.
  • Stress and muscle tension
    The jaw is a common place where we unconsciously hold tension.

Common symptoms

TMJ dysfunction doesn’t always present as pain alone. You might experience:

  • Jaw pain or tightness
  • Clicking or popping when opening/closing
  • Difficulty opening fully
  • Headaches or facial pain
  • Ear-related symptoms (fullness, discomfort)

That clicking many people notice is often a sign the joint isn’t moving as smoothly or symmetrically as it should.

Why the TMJ is so unique

Unlike most joints, the TMJ is:

  • A paired joint (left and right working together)
  • Capable of both hinge and sliding movements
  • Dependent on muscle coordination, joint alignment, and disc movement

If one side isn’t moving well, the other often compensates—leading to further dysfunction.

How I assess TMJ as a Myotherapist

In clinic, I take a hands-on approach to understanding how your jaw is functioning.

This includes:

  • Observing how your jaw opens and closes
  • Palpating the joint and surrounding muscles
  • Assessing symmetry, restriction, and muscle tone

Treatment approach

Treatment is always tailored to the individual, but may include:

1. Dry needling

Used to release tight jaw muscles and reduce pain.

2. Soft tissue massage

Targeting muscles like:

  • Masseter
  • Temporalis
  • Surrounding neck muscles

3. Intraoral (internal) massage

With gloves, I treat muscles from inside the mouth.
This allows direct access to deeper structures that can’t be reached externally—often making a significant difference in symptoms.

The goal

The aim is to:

  • Reduce muscle tension
  • Improve joint movement
  • Restore symmetry between both sides of the jaw
  • Decrease pain and clicking

Final thoughts

TMJ pain is more common than people think—and often very treatable.

If you’re noticing jaw tension, clicking, or discomfort, it’s worth getting it assessed early before it becomes more persistent.