Jaw Pain Treatment in Lismore
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, and since September 2026 we have been consulting in Lismore from Hinterland Osteopathy on Molesworth Street, including Saturday mornings.
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. A night splint protects the teeth and cushions the joint, but it cannot release those muscles or address the neck, which is why many people with a splint still have pain. Treating one part without the others tends to give short-lived results.
The practice was founded by Dr Leon Erdrich, an osteopath who has focused his work and his teaching at Southern Cross University on head, neck and jaw conditions, and it treats nothing else. A first appointment assesses the jaw joint, the chewing muscles and the neck as one system, and we explain what we find before treating. We work with your dentist rather than instead of them, and welcome referrals from Lismore dentists whose patients have not settled with a splint alone. If the problem looks like something we cannot help with, we will say so.
Read more on our jaw and orofacial pain page. Headaches from clenching are covered on our headache page for Lismore.
What happens at your first appointment
An hour. It starts 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 from outside and, where useful, inside the mouth with gloves, and check the neck. We explain what we find, and treatment usually starts in the same session. You leave with a plan and things to do at home between visits.
Where to find us
The Lismore clinic is inside Hinterland Osteopathy on Molesworth Street, a short walk from the courthouse. There is no on-site parking; use Zadoc Street in front of the courthouse or further along Molesworth Street, a two to three minute walk. Let reception know you are here for North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre. Our Ballina clinic runs Monday, Thursday and Friday if those days suit better; appointments, fees and your records are the same at both.
Lismore Clinic
- Hinterland Osteopathy 32 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW 2480
-
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.
Ballina Clinic
- Ballina Health Centre 32 Tamar Street Ballina NSW 2478
-
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.
Common questions
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.
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.
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.
Can jaw treatment help my headaches too?
Usually. The muscles that clench the jaw run into the temples, and jaw-driven headache is one of the most common types we see. Both are assessed and treated together.
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.
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.
Are Saturday appointments available?
Yes. Lismore runs Saturday mornings, which suits people who cannot get away during the week, and jaw follow-ups are short enough to fit before the shops.
Do I need a referral, and what does it cost?
No referral. The initial consultation is $170, follow-ups $125. HICAPS for health fund claims, and a $61.80 Medicare rebate under a GP management plan.
How to book
Book online, choose the Lismore clinic and select an initial consultation. Saturday and weekday times are shown once you do. 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 Molesworth Street in Lismore, with Saturday mornings available. No referral needed, and we are happy to work alongside your dentist. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.