Jaw pain: when opening your mouth hurts
Temporomandibular disorders (often called "TMJ problems") affect the jaw joint and muscles: pain near the ear, clicking, difficulty opening the mouth, sometimes headaches. In most cases they improve with a conservative approach of education, targeted exercises and manual therapy, working with your dentist and doctor when needed.
Jaw problems, treated by someone who knows them well
Temporomandibular disorders call for skills that go beyond general physiotherapy. Luca Barbisan trained on the CRAFTA® programme, one of the leading international schools for craniofacial pain, and has built solid clinical experience with these patients.
- Training CRAFTA® programme (Cranio Facial Therapy Academy) with Harry von Piekartz and Michiel Trouw: 80 hours. The topic was also covered in depth in the modules of the SUPSI Master's in neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy. Cranio Mandibular Therapeutics course with Tzvika Greenbaum and Diego Leoni: 13 hours (2022).
- Clinical experience Since 2019 he has treated 3–4 patients a week with jaw problems and craniofacial pain.
Do you recognise yourself in any of these?
Below you will find the problems we see most often.
- Jaw pain In front of the ear, on the cheek or at the temple, when you chew or talk.
- Noises and clicking Clicking or grating when you open or close your mouth.
- Jaw that locks Difficulty opening it fully or a feeling that it gets "stuck".
- Clenching and bruxism Grinding or clenching your teeth, during the day or at night, with a tired jaw when you wake up.
- Headache and facial pain Headache at the temples or facial pain linked to the chewing muscles.
- Jaw and neck together Jaw problems often go hand in hand with neck pain: we assess them together.
How we work
- 01 Listening and assessment We listen to your story, rule out signs and symptoms that may need further investigation, and assess your jaw, muscles and neck.
- 02 Understanding and managing We explain what is happening, which daily habits overload your jaw and how to change them.
- 03 Manual therapy and exercises Manual treatment of the joint and muscles, and specific exercises you can also do at home.
- 04 Teamwork When needed, we coordinate with your dentist or doctor, for example if a night guard is indicated.
Three myths to bust
Sources: NIDCR (National Institutes of Health), temporomandibular disorders · Slade et al., OPPERA study, Journal of Dental Research, 2016
When to see a doctor or dentist straight away
- your mouth stays open and you can no longer close it
- facial swelling, fever or a possible dental abscess
- loss of sensation in the face or tongue
- jaw pain when chewing together with a new headache, after the age of 50
- pain that keeps increasing for no reason, or a history of cancer
Frequently asked questions about jaw pain
Content by Luca Barbisan, OMT physiotherapist with specific training in temporomandibular disorders · Updated October 2026
What is the TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint: the joint in front of the ear that lets the lower jaw open, close and move sideways. When people talk about "TMJ problems" they usually mean temporomandibular disorders, which involve both the joint and the muscles.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and how long you have had it. After the assessment we give you an estimate and clear goals; exercises at home are an important part of the treatment.
Do you work with my dentist?
Yes. When it is helpful we talk to your dentist or doctor, so that your treatment is coordinated.
Can bruxism be cured?
Bruxism cannot be "eliminated", but it can be managed: we work on daytime habits, awareness and symptoms, and coordinate with your dentist if needed.
Is physiotherapy for the jaw covered by insurance?
Yes. With a medical prescription, physiotherapy is covered by basic health insurance, minus the deductible (franchise) and co-payment, as for other problems.
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Is your jaw bothering you? Let's talk.
Write to us on WhatsApp: we will get back to you to find a day and time together.
All we need to book is your name and availability: we go through the details of your health together at the practice.