Ask the Experts Mini Series: A Whole-Body Approach to Jaw & Neck Pain
Part 1: Why Jaw Pain Is Rarely “Just the Jaw”
Jaw and neck pain rarely exist in isolation. Posture, breathing, muscle patterns, and oral health all interact, and lasting relief often comes from understanding the body as a connected system. In this first part of our Ask the Expert series, Dr. Marzban and Dr. Sara Black of Zia Physio share their perspectives on why jaw pain is often part of something bigger.
Meet Our Guest: Sara Black, PT, DPT, CSCS, CAPP-Pelvic, founder for Zia Physiotherapy
A Richmond native and former Division I swimmer at East Carolina University, Sara Black earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Lynchburg University and brings a strong background in exercise physiology, strength training, and manual therapy. She specializes in pelvic health and complex musculoskeletal dysfunction, with advanced CAPP-Pelvic training, and is passionate about educating patients and empowering them to take an active role in their care.
Let’s dive in: From a Dental Perspective, with Dr. Marzban
Why do so many people experience jaw pain, clenching, or headaches?
Most people are surprised to learn that jaw pain and headaches usually aren’t a “teeth problem.” They’re typically an airway, muscle, or joint issue and most often, a combination of all three.
From a dental perspective, jaw pain is usually caused by dysfunction and poor coordination of the chewing muscles. The three most common contributors I see are:
Posterior tooth interferences, meaning misaligned teeth or dental work that disrupts how the jaw closes
A torqued or shifted lower jaw, which creates muscle imbalance in the head, neck, and jaw and leads to constant tension
A deficient upper jaw (maxilla), where the bite forces the lower jaw into a strained, often retruded position
When the jaw is forced to function this way, the muscles stay overworked and irritated, which often shows up as jaw pain, clenching or grinding, and recurring headaches.
Why is jaw pain often a symptom of something bigger rather than a standalone issue?
Jaw pain is rarely a standalone issue because the jaw doesn’t work in isolation. It’s connected to the airway, the neck, the head, and the nervous system.
When the jaw is under strain, whether from a poor bite, muscle imbalance, or airway stress, the body compensates. Muscles tighten, posture shifts, and the nervous system stays on high alert. Over time, that compensation shows up as more than just jaw pain: headaches, neck pain, facial tension, ear symptoms, poor sleep, or chronic clenching.
In many patients, jaw pain is actually the warning light, not the root problem. It’s the body signaling that something in the system isn’t working efficiently.
That’s why a collaborative approach, especially between dentistry and physical therapy, is so important. When we look beyond the jaw itself, we can identify and treat the underlying causes instead of just managing symptoms.
What are some signs that jaw pain may not be fully resolved through TMJ treatment alone?
Jaw pain often isn’t fully resolved with TMJ treatment alone when the rest of the body is still compensating. The jaw is connected from tongue to toe through muscles, fascia, posture, and the nervous system.
Some signs we see include:
Jaw pain that improves temporarily but keeps coming back
Persistent neck, shoulder, or upper back tension
Ongoing headaches despite TMJ correction
Clenching or muscle tightness that doesn’t fully release
Postural imbalances, such as forward head posture or uneven muscle tone
Even when TMJ treatment helps correct jaw position and muscle function, unresolved postural patterns or movement dysfunction can continue to pull the system out of balance.
That’s why collaboration is so important. When TMJ correction and physical therapy work together, we’re not just treating jaw pain, we’re restoring balance to the entire system, which is often what leads to lasting relief.
From a Physical Therapy Perspective, with Dr. Black
When patients come in with jaw pain or headaches, what do you commonly notice about their neck, shoulders, or posture?
From a physical therapy perspective, when someone comes in with jaw pain or headaches, I generally see forward head posture, rounded shoulders, upper chest breathing, overactive neck and chest musculature, and underactive midback musculature.
The jaw often becomes a stabilizer for a neck and rib cage that aren’t well supported. Because the jaw is part of the same pressure system as the diaphragm and pelvic floor, dysfunction in the deep core can drive tension upward, so it’s rarely just about the jaw.
How can muscle tension or movement patterns contribute to jaw discomfort?
Muscle tension and repetitive movement patterns, like clenching, forward head posture, or upper chest breathing, keep the jaw muscles in a constant state of low-grade contraction, which limits mobility and increases joint compression over time.
When the deep neck flexors and core aren’t doing their share of stabilization, the jaw often compensates, leading to discomfort and headaches.
It’s also worth noting that there are estrogen receptors within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding tissues, which may help explain why hormonal shifts can influence jaw pain and sensitivity in some patients.
Why does jaw pain often persist if only one area of the body is addressed?
Jaw pain often persists when only the jaw is treated because it’s rarely the true driver of the problem. It’s usually part of a larger movement and pressure system.
If underlying contributors like poor neck support, midback stiffness, breathing mechanics, or deep core stability aren’t addressed, the jaw will continue to compensate. Unless the whole chain is supported, the tension pattern simply recreates itself.
A Whole-Body Approach
Jaw pain is rarely just about the jaw. It often reflects how the teeth, muscles, posture, breathing, and nervous system are interacting.
When dentistry and physical therapy work together, care becomes more comprehensive and focused on identifying the root contributors rather than only managing symptoms.
In the next part of our Ask the Experts series, we’ll explore how posture and breathing directly influence oral health and jaw function.