Jaw Pain Treatment for Byron Bay
Jaw pain, clicking or locking usually has a cause that has never been properly assessed, and it often involves the neck as much as the joint. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre is an osteopathy practice that treats only head, neck and jaw conditions. Our Ballina clinic is half an hour from Byron Bay, and we also have a clinic in Lismore.
Jaw pain after dental work, injury or years of clenching
Temporomandibular disorder has several common starting points. Long dental procedures or wisdom teeth removal can leave the joint and muscles irritated. A knock to the jaw or a whiplash injury can change how it tracks. And sustained clenching, often unnoticed, overloads the muscles until they ache, click or lock.
The practice is run by Dr Leon Erdrich, an AHPRA registered osteopath with a special interest in the head, neck and jaw who also teaches in the osteopathy program at Southern Cross University. 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. If the problem looks like something we cannot help with, we will say so.
Read more on our jaw and orofacial pain page. If headaches come with the jaw pain, our headache page for Byron Bay may also help.
What happens at your first appointment
It takes an hour. We ask about the history of the jaw symptoms, any dental work, injuries or braces, and what you have already tried. Then we assess opening, closing and side-to-side movement, feel the joint on both sides, examine the chewing muscles from outside and, where useful, inside the mouth with gloves, and check the upper neck. Everything is explained as we go, and treatment usually begins the same day.
Where to find us
Ballina is half an hour from Byron Bay and runs Monday, Thursday and Friday. Lismore is a longer drive inland 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.
- About 30 minutes from Byron Bay.
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.
- About 50 minutes from Byron Bay via Bangalow.
Common questions
My jaw has been sore since my wisdom teeth came out. Is that normal?
Some stiffness for a few weeks is common. Pain, clicking or limited opening that persists beyond that usually means the joint or muscles were strained during the procedure and need help to settle.
What is TMJ, exactly?
TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, the hinge in front of each ear. Problems with it and the surrounding muscles are called TMD. People use TMJ as shorthand for both.
Is clicking something to worry about?
Painless clicking on its own is common and often needs nothing. Clicking with pain, catching, or a jaw that sometimes will not open fully is worth assessing.
Could my jaw be causing my headaches?
Yes. Tension in the jaw muscles refers into the temples and sides of the head, and jaw-driven headache is one of the most common types we see. Both are assessed together.
Can you work with my dentist in Byron?
Yes. With your permission we send findings to your dentist and coordinate treatment, which matters if a splint, orthodontics or dental work is part of the plan.
Is treatment painful?
Some muscle work can be uncomfortable for a moment, particularly inside the mouth, but it should not be painful. We adjust pressure to you and explain each step first.
Is a referral needed, and what about health funds?
No referral is needed to book. If you have extras cover that includes osteopathy, HICAPS lets you claim on the day; otherwise fees are payable at the appointment. A GP management plan attracts a $61.80 Medicare rebate.
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 Byron Bay. No referral needed, and we are happy to work alongside your dentist. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.