Jaw Pain Treatment for Bangalow
Jaw pain often shows up as headache, earache or a tight face, which is why it goes undiagnosed for so long. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre is an osteopathy practice that treats only head, neck and jaw conditions. From Bangalow, our Ballina and Lismore clinics are each about half an hour away.
Jaw pain and the neck are rarely separate
The jaw and the upper neck share muscles, nerves and posture. When someone clenches for years, the tension does not stay in the jaw: it spreads into the temples, the base of the skull and the neck. Equally, a stiff neck changes how the jaw sits and moves. Treating one without the other tends to give short-lived results.
Appointments are with Dr Leon Erdrich, an AHPRA registered osteopath who has focused his practice and his teaching at Southern Cross University on the head, neck and jaw. The clinic treats nothing else, so the assessment of the joint, the chewing muscles and the neck goes further than a general appointment usually can. We explain what we find before starting, coordinate with your dentist where a splint or dental work is involved, and tell you at the first visit if we do not think we can help.
Read more on our jaw and orofacial pain page. If headaches come with the jaw pain, our headache page for Bangalow may also help.
What happens at your first appointment
An hour, starting with the history: when the jaw symptoms began, whether there was dental work, an injury or a stressful period, what you have tried and whether you grind at night. We then watch how the jaw opens and closes, feel the joint on each side, assess the chewing muscles inside and outside the mouth (with gloves), and check the neck. We explain what we find, and treatment usually starts in the same session.
Where to find us
Ballina is the closer of the two from Bangalow and runs Monday, Thursday and Friday. Lismore is a similar drive west and adds Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday mornings.
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
I have had a splint for years and still get pain. Why?
A splint protects the teeth and cushions the joint, but it does not release the muscles or address the neck. Many people need both the splint and hands-on treatment to get lasting change.
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.
Can long-term clenching damage the joint?
Years of clenching can wear the joint and change how the disc moves, which is where clicking, locking and pain come from. Reducing the load earlier tends to mean fewer problems later.
My jaw locked once. Should I be worried?
Occasional locking usually means the disc in the joint is displacing. It is worth assessing before it becomes frequent. A jaw that locks and stays locked needs prompt attention.
Can you work with my dentist?
Yes, and we prefer to. With your permission we share findings and coordinate treatment with your dentist or orthodontist.
Will I need to come in a lot?
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.
Is one clinic better for jaw treatment than the other?
No, the same assessment and treatment is available at both. Ballina runs Monday, Thursday and Friday; Lismore Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday mornings. Records are shared, so you can move between them as your week changes.
Can I claim jaw treatment on my health fund?
Yes, if your extras cover includes osteopathy, and HICAPS lets you claim at the clinic on the day. Fees are $170 for the initial hour and $125 for follow-ups, and a GP management plan attracts a $61.80 Medicare rebate.
We also treat
Jaw pain often overlaps with headache, neck pain and even dizziness. All are assessed in the one appointment.
Headaches
We help uncover the cause of your headaches, whether from neck tension, jaw dysfunction or nerve irritation. Treatment is tailored to reduce frequency and intensity.
Migraine
Migraine is a complex condition often linked to the nervous system. We support your recovery through manual therapy, lifestyle advice and trigger management.
Whiplash & Neck Pain
Neck pain after injury or strain can affect movement, sleep and posture. We provide targeted treatment and self care strategies to support healing.
Vertigo & Dizziness
Balance issues and dizziness can be linked to the neck, jaw or inner ear. We assess your symptoms and guide you through rehab and recovery.
How to book
Book online, choose Ballina or Lismore, 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, half an hour from Bangalow in either direction. No referral needed, and we are happy to work alongside your dentist. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.