Does Physiotherapy help with Bruxism and Jaw Pain?

Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) affects 22% of the population (1). Stress and anxiety are some of the factors that can increase your risk. Bruxism can lead to dental damage such as worn enamel, chipped/fractured/loose teeth, damage to dental work such as fillings, crowns etc. Bruxism can also lead to jaw, neck and facial pain, headaches and earaches. Your dentist is your first port of call for assessment and treatment of bruxism and much of the symptoms will resolve with your dentists input. However some patients with persistence pain can benefit from specialist physiotherapy. (BOOK AN APPOINTMENT HERE)

At Physiotherapy Works we offer specialist physiotherapy assessment and treatment for patients experiencing bruxism, jaw pain, temporal headaches, and other temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions.

Contact your dentist for an assessment and intervention. These problems often present in combination with neck pain, postural tension, or stress-related muscle overactivity, and can significantly affect sleep and quality of life. Physiotherapy can complement dental management, particularly where splints or other interventions have reduced—but not fully resolved—symptoms.

Our physiotherapy approach includes addressing musculoskeletal and neuromotor contributors to jaw overactivity and pain. Treatment targets the TMJ, cervical spine, and associated muscles.

·  Manual therapy — specialist mobilisation of the temporomandibular joints and cervical spine to reduce muscle tone and improve joint mobility.

·  Soft tissue techniques — myofascial release, massage, dry needling and trigger point therapy of the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles.

·  Postural re-education — correcting head and neck posture that can exacerbate TMJ tension.

·  Relaxation and proprioceptive training — awareness of jaw position, teaching “resting jaw posture”.

·  Home exercise program — gentle jaw opening, isometric strengthening, and neck mobility exercises.

·  Behavioural awareness strategies — reducing daytime clenching through mindfulness and cue-based relaxation.

For an appointment please call us on 045-866075 or book online here.

When booking an appointment for management of Bruxism please book with Rachel Scott, Liesel Shulze , Daragh Barron or David Gardiner in our Naas clinic. All are Chartered Physiotherapists with ISCP  and CORU registered (Meet the Team)

We are happy to collaborate closely with your dentist to support shared care and ensure clear communication on patient progress.