Coping with Jaw & TMJ Pain: Massage and Chiropractic Approaches in Bondi Junction
If you’ve ever experienced tightness, aching, or clicking in your jaw, you’re not alone. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is surprisingly common — and in Bondi Junction, we see it regularly in everyone from stressed professionals to surfers clenching their teeth against waves.
Jaw pain isn’t just uncomfortable. It can radiate into headaches, neck stiffness, earaches, or even dizziness. Fortunately, there are natural, hands-on therapies that can bring real relief. At Medicinal Collective in Bondi Junction, our team blends remedial massage, chiropractic care, kinesiology, and neuro-emotional techniques to address TMJ pain at its root.
What Is TMJ Dysfunction?
Your temporomandibular joints are the hinges that connect your jaw to your skull. These small but powerful joints are used constantly — when you talk, chew, yawn, or clench your teeth under stress.
When the TMJ becomes overworked, misaligned, or tense, it can lead to:
Pain or tenderness around the jaw.
Clicking or popping when opening/closing your mouth.
Limited ability to open your mouth fully.
Headaches or ear discomfort.
Neck and shoulder tightness.
For many Bondi locals, TMJ pain is linked to stress and jaw clenching, often unconsciously during sleep or while concentrating at a desk. Others may notice flare-ups after dental work, injury, or postural strain.
Massage for TMJ Pain Relief
Remedial massage is one of the most effective natural therapies for jaw pain because it addresses the muscular tension directly. At Medicinal Collective, our Bondi Junction massage therapists use a combination of external and intra-oral techniques (inside the mouth, if appropriate and with consent) to release tight muscles like the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids.
Benefits of massage for TMJ include:
Reducing pain and inflammation.
Easing tightness in jaw, face, neck, and shoulders.
Improving circulation and mobility in the joint.
Helping prevent teeth grinding (bruxism) by calming the nervous system.
Many clients also notice an immediate reduction in tension headaches once these muscles are released.
Chiropractic Care for TMJ Dysfunction
Because the jaw is part of a larger system that includes the head, neck, and spine, chiropractic care can make a profound difference. At Medicinal Collective, our chiropractor has over 30 years of experience treating not just the spine, but also complex issues like TMJ dysfunction.
Treatment may involve:
Gentle adjustments to the jaw and upper cervical spine to restore balance.
Kinesiology testing to identify stress patterns that are aggravating the jaw.
Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) to release emotional tension stored in the body, often linked with clenching or grinding.
By addressing both the mechanics and the emotional drivers of jaw tension, chiropractic care offers relief that goes beyond symptom management.
Why a Combined Approach Works Best
TMJ dysfunction is rarely just a “jaw problem.” It often involves a mix of:
Muscular tension (from stress or posture).
Joint misalignment (in jaw or spine).
Nervous system overload (emotional stress, nervous tension).
That’s why at Medicinal Collective, we often recommend a combination of massage and chiropractic for lasting results. Massage softens and lengthens the tight muscles, while chiropractic restores alignment and resets nervous system balance.
Together, these therapies help create space and freedom in the jaw — easing pain, improving function, and breaking the cycle of clenching and tension.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing TMJ Pain
Alongside treatment, small daily changes can make a big difference:
Heat packs over the jaw to relax muscles.
Avoid chewing gum or very hard foods during flare-ups.
Practice gentle jaw stretches and relaxation techniques.
Address posture, especially if working long hours at a desk.
Notice stress patterns — meditation, breathwork, or acupuncture can help.
TMJ Care in Bondi Junction
If jaw pain is interfering with your daily life, you don’t need to live with it. At Medicinal Collective, our team of massage therapists and holistic chiropractor work together to relieve TMJ pain and help you restore balance in your body.
With decades of experience, advanced techniques like kinesiology and NET, and a truly holistic approach, we’re here to support you in finding long-term relief.
Book in with
Helena - deep tissue/ remedial/ Buccal & Jaw
Corina - myofascial, Craniosacral & jaw
Dr. Anton - Chiropractor with 30 Years experience & NET / Kinesiology
