01/12/2026
One commonly overlooked cause of jaw pain is dysfunction in the upper cervical spine.
The upper neck shares close neurologic and mechanical relationships with the jaw, face, and ear. When certain cervical joints become irritated—especially in the upper neck—pain can be referred into the jaw, closely mimicking TMJ symptoms.
Common cervical sources of jaw pain include:
*Upper cervical facet joint dysfunction
*Scleratogenous (joint-referred) pain
*Upper cervical disc involvement
*Neurologic overlap between the neck and trigeminal nerve
*Postural strain affecting cervical mechanics
This type of jaw pain often behaves differently than true TMJ disorders. It may:
*Change with neck movement or posture
*Occur without clicking, popping, or locking
*Persist despite jaw-focused treatment
*Be accompanied by neck pain or headaches
When the source of jaw pain is cervical, treating the jaw alone often leads to incomplete or temporary relief.
Evaluation matters.
Jaw pain should be assessed beyond the jaw itself.
Evaluation guides care. Symptoms alone are not enough.
— Stine Chiropractic