When the Jaw Clicks: What Your TMJ Is Really Telling You

Every now and then a client will mention a sharp pain or “click” in the jaw, often happening unexpectedly, like during a yawn. If you’ve ever felt this yourself, you’ll know it can be surprisingly painful, sometimes lingering for days before easing.

But what’s really happening in that moment? And why does jaw tension connect to so many other areas of the body, including our shoulders, our diaphragm, and even the pelvic floor?

Let’s explore.

Understanding the Jaw Joint (TMJ)

Your jaw joint is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It’s one of the most used joints in the body. We use it to speak, chew, swallow, and express emotion. Inside the TMJ is a small cartilage disc that cushions and helps the joint glide smoothly.

When tension builds or the mechanics of the joint become imbalanced, the disc can slip or “catch.” That’s the click you sometimes hear or feel. If the surrounding muscles are tight, the movement can strain ligaments or irritate tissues, which is why the discomfort can linger after a painful click.

Why Jaw Tension Happens

There are several reasons why jaw tension shows up:

• Stress and clenching – Many of us grind or clench without even realizing it, especially at night.

• Postural strain – Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, or tight neck muscles all change how the jaw sits.

• Muscular links – The jaw muscles don’t work in isolation; they are deeply connected to the neck, shoulders, and even down through the body.

So, while it can feel like a purely “jaw” issue, often the story is much bigger.

It’s Not Always Where the Pain Is

One of the key truths in holistic bodywork is this: where we feel the pain is not always where the problem started.

You can massage the jaw or even do deep work on the shoulders and trapezius, but if the root cause is stress, a dysregulated nervous system, or postural strain, the tension will keep coming back.

For example:

• A clenched jaw may actually be the expression of chronic stress patterns in the nervous system.

• Shoulder knots may be symptoms of collapsed posture or tight pectoral muscles, not just “tight shoulders.”

This is why it’s important to look beyond the symptom and explore the source.

Addressing posture, opening the chest, stretching the pectorals, restoring the natural curve of the spine with gentle foam rolling or mobility work, often relieves the very tension we keep trying to “fix” with massage. When we treat the root, the symptoms finally start to ease.

The Jaw–Diaphragm–Pelvic Floor Connection

One of the most fascinating things about the body is how everything is interconnected.

Think of the body as a series of diaphragms or muscular “floors”:

• The jaw and throat form one diaphragm.

• The breathing diaphragm at the ribcage is another.

• The pelvic floor is yet another.

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These diaphragms mirror and influence each other. When one is tense or restricted, the others often echo that tension.

That means when your jaw is clenched, your breath may also become shallow. And when your pelvic floor is gripping tightly, your jaw is often holding tension too.

A Personal Observation

During one of my own bodywork sessions, I experienced this connection in a profound way. My therapist was working gently on my abdominal and pelvic areas, releasing tension I didn’t even know I was holding. As this happened, I felt a spontaneous release through my jaw. It was as if the two areas were in dialogue, finally allowing each other to let go.

What surprised me even more was what happened the next day. I noticed my whole face felt different, softer, more relaxed, even though my therapist hadn’t touched my face at all. I looked in the mirror and realized I actually looked younger. The release in my pelvic floor and abdomen had rippled upward, easing deep facial tension that I hadn’t realized was there. That experience showed me just how profoundly the body is connected, and how freeing one area can restore vitality and softness in another.

What You Can Do

If you’ve had a painful jaw click, or you know you carry a lot of tension in your face, here are a few supportive steps:

• Massage – Treatments like Kobido face massage, myofascial release or intraoral massage can release tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles.

• Relax your breath – Practice breathing deeply into your diaphragm. Relaxing your breath naturally softens both the jaw and pelvic floor.

• Check posture – Be mindful of forward head posture and shoulder tension; small adjustments can ease the strain on your TMJ.

• Stretch and mobilise – Open the chest, roll the spine, and allow the natural curves of the body to return. This supports lasting ease.

• Awareness – Simply noticing when you’re clenching and giving yourself permission to soften makes a big difference.

  
  

When to Seek Help

If your jaw clicks regularly, locks, or causes ongoing pain, it’s worth seeking support from a dentist, physiotherapist or chiropractor trained in TMJ care. The earlier you address it, the easier it is to rebalance.

Your jaw is more than just a hinge for chewing. It’s part of an intricate, whole-body conversation, speaking directly with your breath, your posture, and even your pelvic floor. When we learn to soften here, we often notice a cascade of ease throughout the body. Sometimes that release even shows up visibly, allowing us to look more radiant, more open, and relaxed. It’s another beautiful reminder that in holistic wellness, nothing exists in isolation, everything is connected.