Jaw Pain Treatment in Ballina
A sore, tight or clicking jaw rarely fixes itself, and it usually involves more than the joint. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre is an osteopathy practice in Ballina that treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, and jaw pain, often called TMJ or TMD, is one of the things we see most. Our clinic is on Tamar Street, with parking at the door.
What is behind jaw pain
Jaw pain usually involves more than the joint. The muscles that close the jaw are among the strongest in the body, and when they are overworked by clenching, grinding or stress they become painful, tighten the face and temples, and pull on the neck. Add a joint that clicks or does not track evenly, sometimes after dental work or a knock, and the picture is called temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Because the joint sits directly in front of the ear, it often presents as earache, ear fullness or ringing with a normal ear exam, and it is a common headache driver.
North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre was founded in Ballina by Dr Leon Erdrich, an osteopath who has focused his practice and his teaching at Southern Cross University on head, neck and jaw conditions, and every osteopath here works the same way. Because we treat nothing else, a first appointment looks at how the jaw opens and closes, the joint, the chewing muscles and the upper neck together, since the neck and jaw work as a unit. We explain what we find before treating, and we work with your dentist rather than instead of them, which matters where a splint, orthodontics or dental work is part of the plan.
Read more on our jaw and orofacial pain page. If headaches come with the jaw pain, see headache treatment in Ballina.
When jaw symptoms need attention
- Clicking, popping or grinding when you open or chew
- Waking with a tight face, sore jaw or worn teeth
- Pain in front of the ear, or ear symptoms your GP cannot explain
- Difficulty opening wide, or a jaw that catches or locks
- Headaches at the temples alongside jaw tightness
- Your dentist has mentioned grinding or recommended a splint
A jaw that locks and will not close, or jaw pain with chest pain or shortness of breath, needs urgent medical attention.
Where to find us
The Ballina clinic is inside Ballina Health Centre on Tamar Street. Let reception know you are here for North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre. We also have a clinic in Lismore, which runs Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday mornings; appointments, fees and your records are the same at both, and jaw treatment often works best with a few closely spaced follow-ups early on, so use whichever days let you do that.
Ballina Clinic
- Ballina Health Centre 32 Tamar Street Ballina NSW 2478
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Mon: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thu: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Fri: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun: Closed - Parking is directly out the front of the clinic.
Lismore Clinic
- Hinterland Osteopathy 32 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW 2480
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Tue: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Wed: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Mon, Fri, Sun: Closed - Street parking on Zadoc Street or Molesworth Street, a two to three minute walk.
Common questions
Is my clicking jaw a problem?
Clicking on its own, without pain or locking, is common and often needs nothing. Clicking with pain, limited opening or episodes of locking is worth assessing, because the joint is not tracking evenly.
My dentist in Ballina says I need a splint. Should I still come?
Often both help. A splint protects the teeth and joint at night; treatment addresses the muscles and neck that keep the jaw tense. With your permission we coordinate with your dentist so the two work together.
I clench when I am stressed. Can you help?
Yes. We treat the overworked muscles and the joint, help you notice daytime clenching, and give you ways to reduce it. Night grinding is usually managed together with your dentist.
Could my ear pain actually be my jaw?
It can. The jaw joint sits directly in front of the ear canal, and TMD often presents as earache, fullness or ringing with a normal ear exam. If your GP has ruled out an ear cause, the jaw is the next place to look.
Does treatment involve working inside my mouth?
Sometimes. The muscles that clench the jaw are best reached from inside the cheek. It is done with gloves, explained beforehand, and only with your agreement.
What happens at the first appointment?
An hour. History, including dental work and injuries, then assessment of jaw movement, the joint on each side, the chewing muscles and the neck, explained as we go. Treatment usually starts in the same session.
How many appointments will I need?
Jaw problems often respond to a few closely spaced visits early on, then less often. We will give you a realistic plan after the first assessment.
Do I need a referral, and can I claim?
No referral. Health fund claims go through HICAPS at the clinic, and a GP management plan attracts a $61.80 Medicare rebate. The initial consultation is $170, follow-ups $125.
How to book
Book online, choose the Ballina clinic and select an initial consultation. New patients pay a 50% deposit at booking. Fees and what to bring are on our patient information page.
Book an appointment
An hour with an osteopath who treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, on Tamar Street in Ballina. No referral needed, and we are happy to work alongside your dentist. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.