If you’ve been dealing with persistent neck pain that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause, you’re not alone.
It’s common to feel frustrated when the usual treatments don’t bring lasting relief, and even more confusing when nothing shows up on scans or tests. But sometimes, the root of the problem isn’t your neck at all.
Pain in the neck and shoulders is often linked to issues in the jaw, specifically the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ dysfunction (TMD) can cause neck pain.
It’s a complex joint that can play a much bigger role in overall tension, posture, and muscle balance than many people realize.
An integrated approach—like physiotherapy, massage therapy, or a combination—can make a meaningful difference. By looking beyond the site of pain and exploring the body as a connected system, you may uncover new paths to relief that conventional treatments have missed.
Understanding the TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to the base of your skull. You use it every day to talk, eat, yawn, and express emotion. It’s capable of a complex range of movement.
Because the joint is so active, it’s also vulnerable to stress and strain, especially when combined with habits like teeth clenching, poor posture, or long hours spent in front of a screen.
TMJ dysfunction (TMD) can involve the joint, surrounding muscles, or the nervous system’s response to irritation and tension. While some people experience facial or jaw discomfort, others may notice symptoms in different areas, including the neck.
How TMJ Dysfunction Can Lead to Neck Pain
Pain doesn’t always follow a direct path. The body comprises overlapping systems—including muscles, joints, fascia, and nerves—that constantly communicate. When one area is irritated or under stress, it can affect other areas.
Shared Muscle & Neural Connections
The muscles that support your jaw also help stabilize your neck. If the jaw is clenched or not moving smoothly, the neck and shoulder muscles may begin to compensate for the strained movement. Over time, you can experience tightness, fatigue, or pain in those areas.
The TMJ also shares nerve pathways with parts of the head, face, and neck. The shared pathway can create referred pain—you can feel discomfort in a different location than where the issue originates.
The Role of the Nervous System
When we talk about persistent pain, we’re often talking about a nervous system that has become sensitized. The body can start interpreting normal signals, like gentle movement or light tension, as threatening.
Over time, sensitized nerves can make pain feel bigger than the underlying tissue issue would suggest.
Stress, anxiety, and past experiences can all play a role in how the nervous system processes pain. When it comes to TMJ issues, things like clenching or grinding are often subconscious responses to stress.
Common Signs Your Neck Pain Could Be Related to TMD
While everyone’s experience is unique, some common clues that your jaw may be triggering your neck pain include:
- Clicking, popping, or tightness in the jaw
- Pain when chewing or talking
- Limited or stiff jaw movement
- Headaches or tension behind the eyes
- Ear fullness, pressure, or ringing
- A history of grinding or clenching teeth
- Neck pain that doesn’t respond to traditional treatments
If these symptoms sound familiar, working with a physiotherapist who understands the connection between the jaw and neck can be a helpful next step.
A Collaborative, Whole-Person Approach to Care
When it comes to persistent pain, it’s rarely just about one joint or one muscle. Your body is a complex, interconnected system, and your pain experience is shaped by everything from how you move to how you sleep, think, and manage stress.
Effective care focuses on the whole person, not just the symptom.
Pain is real. And it’s valid. But it’s also a protective signal that can become heightened or overly sensitive when the nervous system is under stress.
The good news? With the right approach, your system can adapt. You can regain trust in your body and reduce that sense of threat over time.
When TMJ dysfunction plays a role in neck pain, treatment might include a few methods.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the main treatment offered at One to One Wellness for TMJ-related neck pain, and is tailored to address both the muscular and nervous system components.
Our registered massage therapists focus on reducing soft tissue tension in the jaw, neck, and upper shoulders, as these areas often carry the brunt of stress and compensatory movement.
Techniques may include myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and targeted work along the temporalis, masseter, and cervical spine muscles. This gentle, hands-on approach not only relieves muscle tightness but also helps restore movement, promote circulation, and downregulate the nervous system.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques can help reduce muscle tension and improve jaw and neck mobility. Your osteopathic manual therapy may include gentle joint mobilizations, soft tissue release in the neck or shoulders, and, in some cases, internal jaw work when appropriate and with your consent.
Neuromuscular Re-Education
You can help your body relearn how to move and rest, preventing and alleviating discomfort. You’ll work on jaw and neck coordination, relaxed tongue posture, and building awareness of unconscious clenching or bracing habits.
Postural & Ergonomic Coaching
Posture isn’t about perfect alignment. It’s about creating options and reducing sustained stress. We’ll review your screen setup and daily routines, exploring how simple adjustments can support your jaw and neck throughout the day.
Therapeutic Movement
Small, slow, and controlled movements can help you regain mobility and reduce protective tension. You might explore isometrics, gentle jaw exercises, or breath-driven neck mobility.
Nervous System Education
Pain is a whole-body, whole-brain experience. Understanding how the nervous system interprets and amplifies signals can help you feel less fearful and more in control. Knowledge can be incredibly freeing.
Breathwork & Relaxation Strategies
Many people carry jaw and neck tension without realizing it, especially when under stress. Breathwork and guided relaxation can help shift your system from “fight or flight” mode into a more accessible healing state.
Referral Support
In some cases, additional support from a dentist (for night guards), counsellor, or other allied health professionals may be helpful. Collaboration is key.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are many personalized possibilities. The goal is to find what works for you—moving at your pace, with guidance you can trust.
Addressing the Root of Persistent Pain
When pain sticks around, focusing solely on the area that hurts is natural. But pain is rarely just about one joint or one muscle; what you experience is shaped by everything from how you move and sleep to how your nervous system responds to stress.
Real, lasting relief often begins by exploring these interconnections. That might involve noticing clenching during stressful moments, recognizing posture habits, or understanding how sleep and breathing patterns affect your body’s ability to relax and reset.
Rather than chasing symptoms, care becomes about listening to what your body tells you and exploring what’s possible when it feels safe and supported.
Building Relief That Makes Sense to You
If you’ve tried multiple treatments with little clarity or progress, you’re not alone. It can be frustrating when you feel like you’re doing all the right things, yet still not seeing results.
However, feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong; it simply means your system may need a different type of support.
The nervous system is designed to adapt to changing conditions. With education, movement, and care that meets you where you are, many people can reduce sensitivity, reintroduce ease, and regain confidence in their bodies.
You’re adaptable, and your care should reflect that.
Could Your Neck Pain Be Coming From Your Jaw?
When your neck pain persists or occurs alongside jaw tension, clenching, facial discomfort, or headaches, consider the TMJ connection.
You don’t need a formal diagnosis or referral. Sometimes, relief begins with simply asking the right question. At One to One Wellness in Halifax, our approach is grounded in compassion, clinical insight, and true collaboration.
We’re here to help you connect the dots so you can move forward with improved clarity, less discomfort, and renewed confidence in your body. Reach out to book a consultation and explore what’s possible for your recovery.
