Suncoast Headache, Neck & Jaw Clinic

Suncoast Headache, Neck & Jaw Clinic Specialised physiotherapy clinic exclusively treating headache, neck and jaw conditions. Located in Caloundra West (Sunshine Coast).
(1)

With long appointment times to allow for thorough assessment and treatment, our aim is to improve your quality of life.

Most people with jaw pain don’t realise this…Jaw pain isn’t always just a “jaw problem”.For many, it’s linked to:- neck ...
02/02/2026

Most people with jaw pain don’t realise this…

Jaw pain isn’t always just a “jaw problem”.

For many, it’s linked to:
- neck stiffness
- headaches
- teeth clenching (often without noticing)
- stress on the nervous system

That’s why jaw pain can:
– come and go
– move around
– feel worse during stress
– not improve with mouth guards alone

The jaw doesn’t work in isolation — it’s part of a much bigger system.
If your jaw pain hasn’t fully settled, it may be worth looking beyond the jaw itself.

🚫 What Not To Do This JanuaryCopy fitness plans that ignore pain or recoveryMany “New Year, new you” programs are generi...
31/01/2026

🚫 What Not To Do This January

Copy fitness plans that ignore pain or recovery

Many “New Year, new you” programs are generic and don’t consider individual pain, headache patterns, or recovery needs. Following these plans can overload your neck, jaw, or nervous system, trigger headaches, or leave you feeling frustrated if your body cannot keep up. One-size-fits-all routines rarely work for headache-prone individuals.

💡 Better approach: Use individualised strategies. Start with exercises, movements, and schedules that fit your pain history and recovery needs. Progress gradually, track your symptoms, and adjust routines accordingly. Consistency is more important than intensity or trend-following.

🦷👂 Ear symptoms… but your ears are “fine”?Did you know jaw and neck problems can cause ear symptoms — even when there’s ...
29/01/2026

🦷👂 Ear symptoms… but your ears are “fine”?

Did you know jaw and neck problems can cause ear symptoms — even when there’s no infection or excess wax build up?

Common symptoms we see from TMJ & neck tension include:

• Ear fullness or pressure
• Ringing or buzzing (tinnitus)
• Ear pain with a normal ear exam
• Popping or crackling
• Sound sensitivity
• Dizziness or unsteadiness

👉 The jaw, neck, and ear share nerves, muscles, and space — so pain often gets referred to the ear.

💡 Clue it’s jaw/neck related:
Symptoms change when you chew, clench, yawn, or move your neck.

If your ENT says everything looks normal, it might be time to check the jaw and neck, not just the ears.

🚫 What Not To Do This JanuaryCut sleep to fit everything inSleep deprivation is one of the most common triggers for head...
26/01/2026

🚫 What Not To Do This January

Cut sleep to fit everything in

Sleep deprivation is one of the most common triggers for headaches and migraines. In January, it’s tempting to wake earlier, stay up later, or squeeze in extra workouts, but even small reductions in sleep can lower your headache threshold. The nervous system becomes more sensitive, recovery slows, and muscles are more prone to tension.

💡 Better approach: Prioritise sleep as part of your routine. Aim for 7–9 hours and consistent timing. Even small improvements — going to bed 30 minutes earlier or creating a bedtime wind-down routine — can reduce headache frequency and intensity.

Headaches aren’t just about the head.Growing research shows that strength training may reduce headache burden by up to 5...
22/01/2026

Headaches aren’t just about the head.
Growing research shows that strength training may reduce headache burden by up to 50%, making it one of the most effective forms of exercise for headache management. Targeted strength work can help calm pain signalling and improve the endurance of the neck, shoulder and arm muscles — areas that commonly contribute to headache symptoms. When prescribed and progressed correctly, strength training can be a powerful part of long-term headache care.

🚫 What Not To Do This JanuaryAim for perfect posture all dayMany New Year resolutions focus on “perfect posture,” but ho...
19/01/2026

🚫 What Not To Do This January

Aim for perfect posture all day

Many New Year resolutions focus on “perfect posture,” but holding rigid positions all day can actually increase headaches and tension. Constantly bracing your neck, shoulders, and jaw fatigues muscles and can worsen headaches. Mental and physical strain can increase when you feel like you have to maintain “ideal” posture all day.

💡 Better approach: Focus on dynamic posture. Make small adjustments throughout the day, take micro-breaks, and allow your muscles to relax. Comfort, regular movement, and stretching are far more effective than rigid, all-day postures.

“My scans are normal… so why do I still have headaches?”If your MRI, X-ray or CT is ‘normal’, your pain is NOT imagined....
15/01/2026

“My scans are normal… so why do I still have headaches?”

If your MRI, X-ray or CT is ‘normal’, your pain is NOT imagined.
Many of the most common headache drivers don’t show up on scans.

Here’s what scans don’t reveal 👇

🔹 Muscle overload & tension
Overworked neck, jaw and shoulder muscles can refer pain into the head.

🔹 Joint irritation
Small joints in the upper neck and jaw often trigger headaches without visible damage.

🔹 Jaw clenching & grinding
This overloads the jaw and neck — especially overnight — but rarely appears on imaging.

🔹 Posture & daily habits
Prolonged phone or desk work without regular breaks, and stress patterns can sensitise the nervous system over time.

🔹 Sleep, diet & exercise
These factors can all increase nervous system sensitivity and muscle tension, making headaches more frequent, more intense, and harder to settle.

🔹 Nervous system sensitivity
Pain can persist even when tissues look “normal” — this is common, not dangerous.

💡 Scans rule out serious problems. They don’t explain most persistent headaches.

That’s where headache, neck & jaw physiotherapy comes in:
✔ Identify the true driver (or contributors)
✔ Reduce sensitivity
✔ Restore movement & load tolerance

👉 If you’ve been told “everything looks fine” but you’re still in pain — there is a reason(s), and it’s treatable.

Call or book online to find the source of your headaches.

🚫 What Not To Do This JanuaryPush through headaches to stay motivatedHeadaches and migraines are signals that something ...
12/01/2026

🚫 What Not To Do This January

Push through headaches to stay motivated

Headaches and migraines are signals that something in the body is overloaded — not a sign of weakness. Ignoring them and continuing high-intensity exercise or daily tasks can make symptoms worse. This may increase tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, which feeds back into headache cycles.

Trying to “push through” often triggers a vicious loop: more pain → more stress → more tension → worse headaches. The body responds better to pacing, modification, and symptom-aware movement.

💡 Better approach: If a headache begins, stop or modify activity. Gentle movement like stretching or walking can maintain momentum without exacerbating symptoms. Track patterns to learn what levels of activity are safe and effective.

WHY I DO WHAT I DOHi, I’m Andrew, a physiotherapist specialising in headaches, neck pain, and jaw (TMJ) issues.I do this...
08/01/2026

WHY I DO WHAT I DO

Hi, I’m Andrew, a physiotherapist specialising in headaches, neck pain, and jaw (TMJ) issues.

I do this work because I meet people every week who’ve been told:
• “Your scans are normal”
• “It’s just stress”
• “You’ll have to live with it”

Yet they’re still waking up with headaches, jaw pain, or carrying constant neck tension.

Headaches and jaw pain are often complex—but they’re not imaginary, and they’re not something you just have to put up with.

I love helping people finally understand why they’re in pain and guiding them toward real, lasting change.

If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

🚫 What Not To Do This JanuaryStart intense workout programs overnightJanuary often brings motivation to “hit the ground ...
05/01/2026

🚫 What Not To Do This January

Start intense workout programs overnight

January often brings motivation to “hit the ground running” — but sudden, high-intensity exercise can backfire for people with headaches, migraines, neck, or jaw issues. Rapid increases in physical activity place extra strain on neck and shoulder muscles, upper-back muscles, and the jaw. These areas are common headache triggers.

The nervous system also needs time to adapt. Pushing it too fast can heighten sensitivity, making headaches or migraines more frequent or severe. Flare-ups may leave you frustrated and set back your fitness goals.

💡 Better approach: Start small. Gentle movement like short walks, light stretching, basic neck/jaw exercises, or light resistance training. Gradually build intensity over days or weeks, guided by your body’s response. Slow and steady progress is more sustainable than a sudden “hard reset.”

Consistency beats intensity — especially for headache-prone people.

Wisdom Tooth Pain … or TMD (jaw pain)? You might be surprised how often they’re confused.🦷 Wisdom Tooth PainWhen wisdom ...
18/12/2025

Wisdom Tooth Pain … or TMD (jaw pain)?

You might be surprised how often they’re confused.

🦷 Wisdom Tooth Pain

When wisdom teeth come through, they can cause:

• Pain at the very back of the mouth
• Swollen or red gums
• Pain when chewing
• Bad taste or bad breath
• Often sharp or throbbing
• Usually one-sided

👉 Best treated by a dentist

🦴 TMD (Jaw Joint & Muscle Pain)

• Pain in front of the ear or along the jaw
• Clicking, popping, or locking
• Headaches or temple pain
• Neck & shoulder tension
• Worse with talking, chewing, or clenching
• May feel like toothache — but teeth are healthy

👉 Best treated by a trained physiotherapist

🤔 Not Sure Which One You Have?

If dental X-rays are clear but pain persists, your jaw joint or muscles may be the real source.

✔️ Physiotherapy can help reduce pain
✔️ Improve jaw movement
✔️ Address clenching & muscle tension

Book an assessment to get the right diagnosis — and the right treatment.

Neck vs Jaw Headache If you get headaches, this might surprise you.Many headaches don’t actually start in the head — the...
15/12/2025

Neck vs Jaw Headache

If you get headaches, this might surprise you.
Many headaches don’t actually start in the head — they come from either the neck or the jaw (TMJ).

Neck-Driven Headaches (Cervicogenic)
Studies show these often come from irritated joints & tight muscles in the upper neck.

Common signs:
- Pain starts at the base of the skull
- Spreads behind the eye or to one side
- Worse with prolonged computer work without breaks
- Neck feels stiff or “blocked”
- Pressing certain neck muscles can reproduce the headache

Jaw-Driven Headaches (TMJ / TMD Related)
Your jaw muscles can also refer pain into the temples and forehead.

Common signs:
- Morning headaches (from grinding or clenching)
- Temple pressure or aching
- Jaw clicking, tightness or fatigue
- Headache after chewing
- Worsens during stress (clenching)

Treating both jaw and neck improves headaches and jaw pain.

Can You Have Both?
YES — and many people do.
Jaw tension can tighten the neck, and a tight neck can increase clenching.
This is why an assessment that looks at both areas often gives the best results.

Good News:
Both types are treatable — and often improve quickly with the right combination of treatment.
If you’re unsure which one you have, I can help you figure it out and build a plan that actually targets the cause — not just the symptoms.

Address

4 Sienna Street
Caloundra West, QLD
4551

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8:30am - 6pm
Friday 8:30am - 6pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Suncoast Headache, Neck & Jaw Clinic posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Suncoast Headache, Neck & Jaw Clinic:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram