Jaw Pain Treatment for Lennox Head
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 that treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, and jaw pain is one of the things we see most. Our Ballina clinic is ten minutes from Lennox Head, and we also have a clinic in Lismore.
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 and the picture is often called temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.
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 Lennox Head may also help.
When jaw symptoms need attention
- Clicking, popping or a grinding feel 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 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
Ballina is ten minutes from Lennox Head and runs Monday, Thursday and Friday. Lismore is about 45 minutes away and adds Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday mornings if those days suit better.
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.
- Ten minutes from Lennox Head.
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 45 minutes from Lennox Head; useful for Saturday appointments.
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.
I clench when I am stressed. Can you help with that?
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.
My dentist says I need a splint. Should I still see you?
Often both help. A splint protects the teeth and joint at night; treatment addresses the muscles and neck that keep the jaw tense. We coordinate 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.
Can jaw pain cause headaches?
Frequently. The muscles that close the jaw run into the temples, and tension there is a common headache driver. Both are assessed at the same appointment.
How do you assess a painful jaw?
We look at how the jaw opens and closes, the joint itself, the chewing muscles and the neck, explaining what we find as we go. The first appointment runs an hour and treatment usually starts in the same session.
Can I come in for a quick follow-up between work?
Yes. Short 15-minute consultations are available for established patients, which suits a check-in between Lennox and Ballina.
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.
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, ten minutes from Lennox Head. No referral needed, and we are happy to work alongside your dentist. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.