Neck and jaw pain can disrupt even the simplest parts of your day—working, eating, or even just relaxing. What’s worse, these two types of pain can be connected, intensifying discomfort and frustration. But understanding the source of your pain and the options for treatment are the first steps toward relief.
Symptoms of neck and jaw pain
One of the unfortunate benefits of neck or jaw pain is that it’s often easy to tell exactly where/what hurts. Sometimes, though, pain can radiate or “refer” to other parts of your body, especially if you’ve been waiting to see if a symptom resolves on its own.
Both types of pain can make everyday activities challenging, but understanding where and how the pain manifests can help uncover the cause.
Where is the pain located?
- Pain in neck and jaw left side: This combination often points to tension or TMJ disorder. Stress and clenching your jaw at night can exacerbate this pain.
- Pain in right side of neck under ear: Localized pain like this could stem from TMJ issues on the right side or muscle strain in the surrounding neck area.
- Pain below ear on neck: This is often related to inflammation in the TMJ or strained neck muscles radiating pain upwards.
What does the pain feel like?
Most jaw pain feels like tension that leads to dull aches or sharp pain when moving the jaw. Jaw pain also easily radiates into the head and neck, becoming a headache or neck pain. Types of jaw pain include:
- Pain near the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull
- Tooth pain that seems to radiate into your jaw
- Clicking, popping, or locking sensations in the jaw when you chew or open your mouth
- Muscle tension around the jaw during the day or after sleeping
Pain that originates in the neck can also refer to other areas and feels like:
- A dull ache or sharp discomfort that worsens with head movement
- Stiffness in the neck, particularly after sitting for long periods
- Weakness or muscle tightness at the back of the neck
- Radiating pain from the neck to the head, shoulders, or upper back
Causes of neck and jaw pain
There are a few main causes of jaw and neck pain that we frequently treat at Franklin, including:
- TMJ disorder
- Neck muscle tension (especially for office workers or people who spend a lot of time on their phones)
- Muscle strain
There may be other factors to consider when treating neck and jaw pain, including the presence of arthritis, dental or orthodontic problems, and prior injuries. That’s why we always take a detailed evaluation before starting any plan of treatment to ensure we target the root cause of the problem in a way that won’t make the issue worse.
Treatment options for neck and jaw pain
The physical therapy treatment options we offer for neck and jaw pain have two key characteristics: One is that we avoid using medication when possible to avoid unhelpful side effects or dependence. Second, our treatments are aimed at both quick relief and long-term sustainability so you can continue to enjoy your normal life with less fear of the pain coming back in the future.
Manual neck mobilization
By gently manipulating the neck, our PTs can help increase mobility and reduce stiffness, alleviating muscle tension that may also benefit the jaw.
Dry needling
This practice, which is similar to but different than acupuncture, targets tight muscle knots, often found in areas like the neck and shoulders, to relieve pain and improve range of motion.
Ice or heat therapy
Applying ice to reduce inflammation or heat to relax muscles can sometimes be beneficial for tight neck and jaw areas.
Electrical stimulation
Targeted electrical pulses can help stimulate muscles and provide quick relief for tension-based pain.
Complementary treatments that you can do on your own alongside these or others that we recommend include stress management techniques, stretching exercises, and posture correction to improve your overall well-being.
Your personalized pain relief plan from Franklin PT
If pain in your neck and jaw hasn’t gone away on its own or interferes with your daily life, our physical therapists can help. At Franklin Rehab, we specialize in creating personalized pain relief plans tailored to your experience of jaw and/or neck pain.
Meet your neighborhood physical therapists and start feeling better soon by calling our clinic or by requesting your first appointment online today.
