PACT Physio & Rehab
PACT Physio & Rehab / Injuries we treat / Jaw and TMJ pain

Jaw and TMJ pain

Pain, clicking or tightness in the jaw, often linked to clenching and neck tension.

By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026

Book an assessment Call (02) 8330 6776
The condition

What it is

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the jaw joint just in front of the ear. Pain here can come from clenching, grinding, stress or a link with the upper neck. It can make eating, talking and yawning uncomfortable.

Signs

Signs and symptoms

Everyone is different, but these are common with jaw and tmj pain. You may have some and not others.

Pain in the jaw or in front of the earClicking or locking of the jawDifficulty opening wideHeadaches and facial tightnessTender jaw and cheek musclesWorse with chewing or stress
Treatment

How physiotherapy helps

Physiotherapy can settle jaw pain by treating the muscles and joint and their link with the neck. We use hands on release, dry needling of the jaw and neck muscles where useful, and exercises to improve jaw control, alongside advice on clenching and habits.

  • Jaw and neck assessment
  • Soft tissue release and dry needling
  • Jaw movement and control exercises
  • Advice on clenching and habits
Book an assessment
Physiotherapy for Jaw and TMJ pain at PACT Physio & Rehab in Miranda, NSW
Treatment options

How we treat it

The right mix depends on your assessment. These are the services we most often draw on for this.

Trigger point dry needling | PACT Physio Miranda

Trigger point dry needling

Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.

Learn more →

 Soft tissue release | PACT Physio Miranda

Soft tissue release

Skilled hands on work through muscles, tendons and ligaments to ease tension and restore flexibility.

Learn more →

 Spinal and joint mobilisation | PACT Physio Miranda

Spinal and joint mobilisation

Gentle, controlled movement to improve a stiff joint and ease the pain that comes with it.

Learn more →
Fees and rebates

What you will actually pay

The full fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. Once your cover is applied, here is what you actually pay.

Full fee, no cover
Initial · 60 min $165
Follow up · 40 min $142

Before any rebate. Private paying is welcome, and your fee buys the whole session, never a rushed 20 minutes.

$165
$142
Initial
Follow up
With a Medicare plan
Initial $103.20
Follow up $80.20

A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.

$103.20
$80.20
Initial
Follow up
With private health extras
Initial $60 to $100
Follow up $40 to $80

The usual out of pocket once you claim on the spot, depending on your level of cover.

$60 to $100
$40 to $80
Initial
Follow up
Workers comp & CTP
No out of pocket
Initial $0
Follow up $0

Nothing for you to pay at any visit. Accepted workers compensation and CTP motor accident claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.

$0
$0
Initial
Follow up

The bars compare what an initial and a follow up visit cost you on each pathway.

See full fees and rebates. Telehealth with PACT Virtual Care is charged at the same rates, Australia wide.

Related injuries

Other problems we help with

Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.

Tension headaches Cervicogenic headaches Neck pain Postural and desk pain All injuries we treat →
Frequently asked questions

Good to know before you book

Do you treat the jaw from inside the mouth?
Most treatment is to the muscles around the jaw and neck. Some techniques can be done inside the mouth with gloves when needed, always with your consent.
How much will it cost?
Initial physiotherapy is $165 for 60 minutes and follow ups are $142 for 40 minutes. Approved workers comp and CTP appointments are billed directly to the insurer.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book privately. Referrals are required for Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans and most claim pathways.
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Many problems can be assessed and guided well by telehealth through PACT Virtual Care, with hands on treatment added at the Miranda clinic when it helps.

This page is general information about jaw and tmj pain, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.

Reviews

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We let our patients speak for themselves, on Google, where you can read it independently.

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Get on top of jaw and tmj pain

Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.

Book online Call (02) 8330 6776
Call (02) 8330 6776Book online