- Jaw joint pain and various masticatory muscle symptoms are most commonly felt as local pain in the jaw area, temples, cheeks, face, and/or around ears.
- The jaw joint works in close cooperation with the upper neck, which means that functional disorders of the jaw joint may be associated with the onset and development of neck-related dizziness and headaches.
- Injuries to the jaw joint and teeth are one common causes leading to prolonged symptoms.
Jaw pain and masticatory muscle pain
The jaw joints and surrounding masticatory muscles can cause various types of facial pain, headaches, earaches, and neck and shoulder problems. The jaw joint is the highest movable joint in the body. The jaw joint works in close cooperation with the upper neck joints and muscles, which is why functional disorders are always closely related to each other.
The jaw joint and the muscles surrounding it are innervated by cranial nerve number five, which is why treating the jaw joint is always noteworthy, especially in cases of headaches. The nucleus of cranial nerve number five regulates pain sensation in the entire head area. It is also common for the jaw joint to play a role in the search for the cause of neck-related dizziness, as the jaw joint works closely with the upper neck, which is particularly important in controlling and maintaining balance. The jaw joint and masticatory muscles also play an important role in somatosensory tinnitus.
The most common symptoms
- Localized or generalized pain in the jaw, temples, cheeks, face, and ears.
- Feeling of fatigue and tightness in the masticatory muscles.
- Usually more on one side at first.
- As the symptoms persist, the other side also begins to show symptoms.
- Jaw joint noises, such as clicking, popping, and grinding, may be heard when opening and closing the mouth.
- Joint noises usually come from unstable joints.
- The jaw joint may become locked to one position.
- Neck-related dizziness and lightheadedness may be associated with the symptoms.
- Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism).
Causes of prolonged jaw joint and chewing muscle symptoms
Prolonged symptoms are usually caused by a combination of several factors rather than just one of the factors listed below.
- Physiological strain due to previous injuries, premature wear, or functional disorders, especially in the neck and upper body.
- Jaw joint injuries and lower jaw position abnormalities.
- Neck movement control disorders.
- Dental injuries, orthodontic treatments, and various types of bites.
- Psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, and/or excessive mental strain. Psychological factors are more pronounced in jawpain compared for example to ankle pain.
- Lifestyle factors, such as too little or too repetitive exercise, insufficient or poor-quality sleep.
- Local or central nervous system sensitization of the pain system.
- Social factors, such as insufficient support from the environment or dissatisfaction with family or work matters.
Treatment and rehabilitation of the jaw joint and masticatory muscles
Treatment usually includes:
- Manual therapy to treat joint, muscle, and fascia dysfunctions.
- Neurological rehabilitation to address individual neurological deficits.
- Individual exercises to improve posture and movement.
- Acupuncture to treat pain and pain sensitization.
- Lifestyle guidance to improve exercise, sleep, rest, and eating habits.
Read more about related pain syndromes:
Cervicogenic (Neck-related) headache
Cervical intervertebral disc prolapse
Pain in the middle back / thoracic spine
Viimeksi päivitetty 13.10.2025
