TMJ and jaw pain treatment in Farnham
Jaw pain, clicking or stiffness can affect how you eat, speak, sleep and even smile. It often builds up quietly, and many people have already seen a dentist or tried a mouth guard before they think of physiotherapy.
At Lake Therapy, we treat jaws too. Your jaw is a joint like any other, and when it’s under strain it needs the right support to settle. We look at your jaw, your neck, your posture, your habits and your stress levels, then build a plan that fits your life.
Prefer to talk first? Call us on 01252 449458.
What is TMJ pain?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the small hinge that connects your jaw to your skull, just in front of each ear. You use it every time you talk, chew, yawn or swallow. When the joint or the muscles around it are under too much strain, it can become painful, stiff or noisy.
TMJ problems are common, and they are very treatable. You might notice:
- Aching around your jaw, cheeks or temples
- Clicking or popping when you chew or open your mouth
- Stiffness when you open your mouth wide
- Headaches or neck tension that won’t go away
- Flare-ups after chewing tough food or a big yawn, or sometimes out of nowhere
Common triggers for jaw pain
Jaw pain rarely has just one cause. The things we see most often are:
- Stress. When life gets busy or worrying, many of us hold tension in our jaw without realising it. Stress is one of the most common triggers we see.
- Clenching and grinding. These habits often happen unconsciously, during the day or while you sleep, and they put the joint and muscles under constant load.
- Posture. A forward head position, for example from long hours at a screen, places extra tension through your neck and jaw.
- Neck problems. The upper neck and face muscles are closely linked to the jaw, so neck pain and jaw pain often go together.
Jaw problems can also feed into headaches, so we often treat the two together.
How physiotherapy helps jaw pain
A thorough assessment
We look at more than the painful spot. We assess your jaw, neck and posture, and talk about your habits and stress levels, so we find what’s really keeping your pain going.
Hands-on treatment
Hands-on techniques such as soft tissue release and joint mobilisation release tight muscles, improve how the joint moves and relieve stiffness. When the muscles are very tight, this can feel intense at first, and that’s often where the biggest release comes from.
Jaw and neck exercises
Specific, gentle exercises strengthen the muscles around your jaw, improve movement and control, and take strain off the joint. We often pair them with posture work for your neck and shoulders.
Stress and habit support
We help you spot clenching and tension, show you how to rest your jaw, and share relaxation techniques you can use day to day.
Everyday advice
Practical tips for eating, speaking and sleeping more comfortably, so everyday moments stop setting off your pain.
Working with your dentist or GP
If anything suggests you need a dental check, tests or medical care, we’ll tell you honestly and refer you on.
What to expect
- Your Initial Consultation. This takes about an hour. You share your story and health history, and we carry out a thorough examination of your jaw, neck and posture.
- Your Report of Findings. Within a day or two, we explain what’s going on, set your goals, give you your personalised care plan and start your first treatment.
- Your course of treatment. Work on the jaw itself is intense, so we keep it short, usually around 30 minutes. Because jaw pain often comes from other areas, we also spend time on your neck, shoulders and posture. We check your progress regularly and adjust the plan as you improve.
- Your home programme. You’ll have simple jaw and neck exercises to do between sessions, so you keep making progress on your own.
How long it takes depends on you and what we find. We’ll give you an honest idea of timescales once we’ve assessed you, and everyone gets their own care plan.
Why choose Lake Therapy
Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy together
Both sit under one roof, so your plan can mix the methods that suit you best. There’s free parking right outside the door.
Hours that fit your life
- Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm
- Saturday: 7am to 1.30pm
- Sunday: closed
Lake Therapy
Sandy Farm Business Centre, Sands Rd, The Sands, Farnham GU10 1PX
Phone: 01252 449458
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What our clients say
Not sure where to start with jaw pain?
Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call and speak to a senior member of our team about your jaw. We’ll listen, answer your questions and explain your options before you commit to anything.
Book your free jaw pain Discovery Call
Jaw pain FAQs
Can physiotherapy help jaw pain?
Yes. Your jaw is a joint like any other, and hands-on treatment, targeted exercises and advice can ease pain, stiffness and clicking. We’ll assess you and tell you honestly how we think we can help.
Can stress cause jaw pain?
It often plays a big part. Stress can make you clench or grind without noticing, which loads the jaw joint and muscles. We help you spot those habits and give you simple ways to release the tension.
Can jaw problems cause headaches?
They can. Jaw, neck and face muscles are closely linked, so jaw tension often comes with headaches or neck pain. We assess them together. You can also read about our headache treatment.
Do I need to see my dentist or GP first?
No. We’re a private clinic, so you can book directly with us online or by calling 01252 449458. If we think you need a dental or medical check, we’ll tell you.
Will treatment hurt?
Honestly, it can. Most people come to us once their jaw pain has built up and the muscles are very tight, so releasing them can be uncomfortable in the short term, and occasionally leaves some tenderness or bruising. That short-term discomfort is often what gives the biggest release and the best results. We’ll always explain what we’re doing, check in with you as we go and work at a level you can manage.
How long is each session?
For jaw treatment, shorter is better. Around 30 minutes of work on the jaw itself is usually plenty, because the area is so sensitive, and we wouldn’t recommend booking an hour of jaw-only treatment. If your neck, shoulders or posture are playing a part, which they often are, we’ll use extra time on those instead, so your session fits what you need.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on you and your jaw. After your Initial Consultation, we’ll give you a personalised care plan with an honest idea of how many sessions to expect.
Jaw pain cost enquiry
Want to know what jaw pain treatment at Lake Therapy would cost? Tell us a little about your jaw and we’ll come back to you with the price options that suit you, including our packages.
Send us your jaw pain cost enquiry
You don’t have to keep putting up with jaw pain. We’re here to help when you’re ready.
Or call us on 01252 449458, or book a free discovery call to talk it through first.