TMJ Disorders

Relief for Jaw Pain, Clicking, and Headaches — Without Medication

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles that control chewing, talking, and yawning. When this joint isn’t functioning properly, even simple daily activities like eating or speaking can become painful and frustrating.

At Healing Star Physical Therapy and Wellness, our clinicians are trained to evaluate and treat TMJ disorders using a comprehensive, hands-on approach. We serve patients throughout Monmouth County, including Eatontown, Freehold, Tinton Falls, Red Bank, and surrounding communities.

What Is the Temporomandibular Joint?

The temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull, just in front of each ear. It functions like a sliding hinge, allowing you to open and close your mouth and move your jaw side to side. A small disc of cartilage sits between the bones to cushion movement and keep things gliding smoothly.

When the joint, the disc, or the surrounding muscles become irritated, inflamed, or misaligned, it’s referred to as a temporomandibular disorder — or TMD/TMJ disorder.

Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can present in a surprising variety of ways. You may be dealing with TMJ dysfunction if you experience:

When the joint, the disc, or the surrounding muscles become irritated, inflamed, or misaligned, it’s referred to as a temporomandibular disorder — or TMD/TMJ disorder.

Jaw pain or soreness — often worse in the morning or after eating

Clicking, popping, or grinding — in the jaw when you open or close your mouth

Headaches — particularly tension headaches or pain at the temples

Neck and shoulder pain — the muscles of the jaw connect directly to the neck and upper back

Ear pain or a sensation of fullness — in the ears (without infection)

Tinnitus — ringing in the ears

Limited jaw opening — difficulty opening your mouth fully

Facial pain or fatigue — especially with prolonged talking or chewing

Tooth clenching or grinding (bruxism) — often occurring during sleep

Many patients are surprised to learn that their chronic headaches, neck pain, or ear symptoms are actually rooted in TMJ dysfunction — not a separate condition entirely.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

TMJ disorders are often multifactorial, meaning several contributing factors can combine to produce symptoms. Common causes and risk factors include:

Jaw injury or trauma — a direct blow to the jaw or whiplash injury affecting the neck and jaw

Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) — often stress-related and frequently occurring during sleep

Arthritis — osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis affecting the joint itself

Disc displacement — the cartilage disc inside the joint shifts out of its normal position

Postural dysfunction — forward head posture and neck muscle imbalances that increase stress on the jaw

Stress and anxiety — which can trigger jaw clenching and facial muscle tension

Dental procedures or prolonged mouth opening — triggering inflammation or muscle spasm

How Physical Therapy Helps TMJ Disorders

Physical therapy is one of the most effective conservative treatments for TMJ disorders — and it’s often more successful than relying on splints or pain medication alone. At Healing Star PT, we take a whole-body approach, because jaw pain rarely exists in isolation.

What your treatment may include:

Manual Therapy for the Jaw and Neck

Our therapists use gentle hands-on techniques to mobilize the jaw joint, reduce muscle tension in the face and neck, and restore normal joint mechanics. This may include intraoral manual therapy (performed inside the mouth with gloves) as well as cervical and upper thoracic mobilization.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is highly effective for releasing trigger points in the masseter, temporalis, pterygoid, and surrounding neck muscles — all of which frequently contribute to jaw pain and headaches. At Healing Star PT, dry needling may also be paired with electrical stimulation applied through the needle to further relax the muscle and reduce soreness.

Postural Correction and Cervical Rehab

Forward head posture is one of the most overlooked contributors to TMJ pain. We assess and correct postural imbalances in the neck and upper back that increase the load on your jaw joint.

Therapeutic Exercise

You’ll receive a customized home program of jaw stretches, strengthening exercises, and neuromuscular retraining to maintain the gains made in therapy and prevent recurrence.

Patient Education

We teach you how to protect your jaw — including sleep position, dietary modifications during flare-ups, stress management techniques, and how to recognize and break habits like clenching, nail biting, or gum chewing that can perpetuate TMJ symptoms.

Do I Need a Referral?

New Jersey is a direct-access state, which means you can begin physical therapy for TMJ disorders without a referral from a physician or dentist. Our clinicians are trained to evaluate your symptoms thoroughly and coordinate with your dentist or specialist if needed.

Working With Your Dental Team

TMJ care often involves both physical therapists and dentists or oral maxillofacial specialists. If you’re already working with a dentist on TMJ management (such as a night guard or occlusal splint), physical therapy complements that care by addressing the muscular and postural components that appliances alone cannot treat.

We’re happy to communicate with your dental provider to ensure a coordinated treatment approach.

Start Your Recovery at Healing Star PT

If jaw pain, clicking, or chronic headaches have been interfering with your daily life, you don’t have to live with it. Our team at Healing Star Physical Therapy and Wellness is here to help you get to the root of the problem and restore comfortable, pain-free movement.

Eatontown, NJ: 145 Wyckoff Rd, Suite 102 — (848) 208-2721

Freehold, NJ: 501 Iron Bridge Road, Suite 2 — (732) 272-1438

Ready to experience the Healing Star difference?

Book an appointment and take the first step toward feeling better.

Request an appointment (848) 208-2721