How Concussions are Related to TMJ Dysfunction
Understanding the Connection Between Head Injury and Jaw Pain
Concussions are known for causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and brain fog. But many people don’t realize that jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction often develop after a concussion.
If you've had a concussion and are now experiencing jaw pain, facial tension, or clicking when you chew or speak, it's likely connected to your injury. The relationship between concussions and TMJ problems is well established—and physical therapy can help treat both.
What Is TMJ Dysfunction?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull and plays a major role in chewing, talking, and posture. TMJ dysfunction, also known as TMD, involves pain, clicking, muscle tightness, or limited movement in the jaw.
How a Concussion Can Lead to Jaw Pain
Even mild concussions often affect the jaw, neck, and nervous system. Here's why:
1. Concussions Often Involve the Neck and Jaw
Most concussions result from events like sports injuries, car accidents, or falls. These impacts frequently involve whiplash-type forces, even if you didn’t hit your jaw directly.
During these injuries, your TMJ can be strained or compressed—especially if you clenched your teeth during impact.
2. Jaw Clenching and Muscle Tension After Injury
Following a concussion, it’s common for people to develop muscle guarding and jaw clenching—especially during sleep or times of stress. These habits increase strain on the TMJ and surrounding muscles.
This can cause symptoms such as:
Jaw pain or fatigue
Clicking or popping
Pain while chewing
Ear pressure or fullness
Tension around the temples or cheeks
3. Disrupted Body Awareness and Muscle Control
A concussion can affect proprioception—your body’s ability to sense and control movement. This includes the muscles that stabilize your jaw, head, and neck.
When these systems aren’t working together properly, the jaw becomes more vulnerable to dysfunction, clenching, and irritation.
TMJ Symptoms That May Follow a Concussion
Pain with chewing, talking, or yawning
Clicking or popping of the jaw
Limited jaw movement or locking
Facial pain or tightness
Headaches, neck stiffness, or dizziness
A sense that your bite feels “off” or unbalanced
These symptoms might appear right after the injury or develop slowly over time.
How Physical Therapy Helps Both the Jaw and Concussion Recovery
Physical therapy addresses not just the jaw, but the whole system involved in your recovery—including the neck, posture, nervous system, and muscle coordination.
Your treatment may include:
Manual therapy for jaw and neck muscles
Stabilization exercises for the jaw and cervical spine
Neuromuscular re-education to improve movement and control
Postural retraining and breathing optimization
Education to reduce clenching and manage stress
If you also have lingering symptoms like headaches, eye strain, or dizziness, we can integrate concussion rehab as part of your care.
Get Help for Jaw Pain After a Concussion
Jaw symptoms after a concussion are common and treatable. If you're dealing with facial pain, clicking, or tension after a head injury, physical therapy can help restore function and reduce discomfort.
Early treatment makes a difference. Don’t wait to address jaw issues that could hold back your recovery.
Schedule an appointment at H2 Health Glen Allen
Questions? Explore the FAQ page or browse more blog posts on jaw pain and recovery.
Note: The views expressed in this blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.