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Activ Therapy
TMJ-Trained Physiotherapists · Liverpool & Casula

TMJ & Jaw Pain Physiotherapy

Jaw pain that flares when you chew, a click that will not settle, or waking up with a tight, aching jaw. Our TMJ-trained physiotherapists in Liverpool and Casula treat the joint, the muscles and the neck together — because jaw pain rarely comes from just one of them.

Appointments at 9 of our clinics · Mon–Fri 7am–7pm · Sat 8am–2pm

No referral needed — book directly
Health fund rebates on the spot
We work alongside your dentist
Early, evening & Saturday appointments
Symptoms

Does This Sound Like You?

TMJ problems show up in more ways than most people expect — including some that are easy to mistake for an ear or dental problem.

Pain in the jaw, in front of the ear, or across the cheek and temple
Clicking, popping or grating when you open or close
The jaw catching, locking, or not opening as wide as it used to
Waking with a tight, tired or aching jaw from night-time clenching
Jaw pain that worsens through the day or after chewing tough food
Headaches around the temples that come with jaw tightness
Ear fullness, ringing or ache with no ear infection found
Jaw pain that started after dental work, wisdom teeth, or a period of stress
Book an Assessment
Causes

What Causes TMJ & Jaw Pain?

The temporomandibular joint is one of the most-used joints in the body, and it is heavily influenced by muscle tension, habit and posture. Most cases involve more than one of the following.

Clenching & Grinding

By far the most common driver. Sustained overnight or stress-related clenching overloads the chewing muscles and the joint itself, producing morning tightness and a jaw that fatigues quickly.

Disc Displacement

The small cartilage disc inside the joint slips out of position, causing the click or pop as it snaps back — and sometimes catching or locking when it does not.

Muscle Overload & Trigger Points

The masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles refer pain into the jaw, teeth, temple and ear. Releasing them often produces noticeable relief within the first couple of sessions.

Neck & Posture Contribution

The upper neck refers pain into the jaw and face, and a forward head position changes how the jaw rests and loads. Treating the jaw without the neck is why some TMJ treatment does not hold.

Trauma & Dental Work

A blow to the jaw, a long dental procedure, or wisdom tooth removal can leave the joint irritated and the muscles guarding. This usually settles well with the right treatment.

Your First Appointment

What Happens When You Come In

The first appointment is about working out which of the joint, the muscles and the neck is driving your pain — then starting treatment for it the same day.

1

Assessment

We measure how far and how evenly your jaw opens, track the joint through movement, palpate the chewing muscles, and assess your upper neck. We also ask about clenching, grinding, stress and dental history.

2

Hands-On Treatment

Joint mobilisation, and release of the masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles — some of which is done intra-orally, with gloves, and only with your consent. Dry needling is used where it is appropriate and you are comfortable with it.

3

Your Home Program

Jaw control and posture exercises, plus practical strategies for clenching, chewing and sleep. This is the part that makes the results stick. If a dental splint or orthodontic opinion would help, we will say so and work alongside your dentist.

In the clinic

What the treatment actually looks like

Activ Therapy physiotherapist assessing a patient’s neck and posture during a TMJ appointment
We assess the neck alongside the jaw. The upper neck refers pain into the jaw and face, and treating one without the other is why some TMJ treatment does not hold.
Physiotherapist assessing the temporomandibular joint and jaw movement with gloved hands
Hands-on assessment of the joint itself — how far it opens, whether it deviates, and where the click or catch is coming from.
Physiotherapist treating a patient’s jaw muscles during a TMJ physiotherapy session
Treatment of the chewing muscles and the joint. Most people notice a difference in the first couple of sessions.
Book Online

Book With a Trained Practitioner

Pick a clinic and a time that suits you. Every clinician you can book here has completed additional training in this area, and there is no referral needed.

Which clinic suits you?

Every clinic below runs tmj and jaw pain assessment appointments with a trained clinician — pick whichever is easier to get to.

Prefer to choose a specific practitioner, or need a time that is not showing? Book directly with any of them below.

Activ Therapy Liverpool

Shop 199A Westfield Liverpool, Cnr Elizabeth Street and George Street, Liverpool NSW 2170

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
Colin Sau

Colin Sau

Physiotherapist · Liverpool

Book with Colin

Activ Therapy Casula

Casula Central, Unit 12B, 633-639 Hume Highway, Casula NSW 2170

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
Daniel Radosavic

Daniel Radosavic

Physiotherapist · Casula

Book with Daniel
Matthew Calabrese

Matthew Calabrese

Physiotherapist · Casula

Book with Matthew

Activ Therapy Moorebank

Shop 14B Moorebank Shopping Village, 42 Stockton Avenue, Moorebank NSW 2170

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
Michael Fricki

Michael Fricki

Physiotherapist · Moorebank

Book with Michael

Activ Therapy Chipping Norton

Chipping Norton Market Plaza, Shop 15, 45 Barry Road, Chipping Norton NSW 2170

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
Andy Kha

Andy Kha

Physiotherapist · Chipping Norton

Book with Andy
He Lail

He Lail

Chiropractor · Chipping Norton

Book with He
Michael Demosthenous

Michael Demosthenous

Physiotherapist · Chipping Norton

Book with Michael

Activ Therapy Austral

Shop 13B/394 Fifteenth Ave, Austral NSW 2179

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
Matthew Calabrese

Matthew Calabrese

Physiotherapist · Austral

Book with Matthew

Activ Therapy Eagle Vale

Eagle Vale Marketplace, 10 Feldspar Road, Eagle Vale NSW 2558

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
Colin Sau

Colin Sau

Physiotherapist · Eagle Vale

Book with Colin

Activ Therapy Gregory Hills

Unit 18/13 Digitaria Dr, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
Alwyn Sau

Alwyn Sau

Chiropractor · Gregory Hills

Book with Alwyn

Activ Therapy Clemton Park

Shop 9 Clemton Park Village, 5 Mackinder Street, Campsie NSW 2194

Mon–Fri: 7am–7pm | Sat: 8am–2pm

(02) 9726 4491
James Beckwith

James Beckwith

Physiotherapist · Clemton Park

Book with James
Matthew Calabrese

Matthew Calabrese

Physiotherapist · Clemton Park

Book with Matthew
Paul Yu

Paul Yu

Physiotherapist · Clemton Park

Book with Paul

Activ Therapy Winston Hills

Shop 6/7 Lomond Crescent, Winston Hills NSW 2153

Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm | Sat: 9am–1pm

(02) 9726 4491
O Keun (Chris) Kwon

O Keun (Chris) Kwon

Physiotherapist · Winston Hills

Book with Chris

Not sure who to book with? Call (02) 9726 4491 and our reception team will match you to the right practitioner.

Prefer to talk it through first?

Tell us what you’re experiencing and we’ll book you with the right clinician.

(02) 9726 4491
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Physiotherapy may help TMJ problems, jaw pain, clicking, clenching-related discomfort and jaw stiffness. At Activ Therapy, our physiotherapists can assess jaw, neck and muscle involvement and provide treatment and exercises to improve comfort and function.

Want the full clinical detail? Read more about TMJ & jaw pain treatment

Contact Us

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Phone

Call us directly

(02) 9726 4491

Opening Hours

Mon – Fri: 7:00am – 7:00pm

Saturday: 8:00am – 2:00pm

Available across all 13 South West Sydney clinics.