Head, jaw, and facial pain

Physiotherapy Plateau Mont-Royal

Jaw pain, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, or neck tension can have several different origins. At Physio Plateau, our physiotherapists precisely assess musculoskeletal, cervical, vestibular, and temporomandibular components to offer you a personalized treatment plan.

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Why consult?

A complex region that calls for
a comprehensive assessment

Head, jaw, and facial pain is rarely as simple as it seems. The temporomandibular joint, the cervical spine, the muscles of the region, the vestibular system, and the nervous system all work in close relation to one another.

A clicking jaw, reduced mouth opening, dizziness, a feeling of instability, or recurring headaches may therefore require an analysis that goes beyond the painful area itself.

At Physio Plateau, on the Plateau-Mont-Royal in Montreal, the clinical assessment aims to identify the movements, tissues, and systems contributing to your symptoms. We examine the cervical region, jaw, posture, balance, and oculomotor and vestibular control when relevant.

Treatment is then tailored to your situation: manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, vestibular rehabilitation, motor control training, education, and a gradual progression back to your daily, work, or sports activities.

20%

headaches originate from the neck.

360°

An assessment that takes into account the head, jaw, neck, balance, and habits that maintain symptoms

1st

priority: understanding the likely cause of your symptoms before determining the appropriate treatment

Our areas of expertise

Examples of head, jaw, and facial conditions we treat

Our physiotherapists assess various conditions that can cause pain, stiffness, dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or limited movement of the jaw and neck.

NEUROLOGICAL / TRAUMATIC

CONCUSSION

After an impact to the head or body, a concussion can lead to headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to movement, fatigue, balance problems, or neck discomfort. Physiotherapy can help assess cervical and vestibular components, manage activity pacing, and support a gradual return to normal function as part of appropriate care.

JAW

JAW DYSFUNCTION

Clicking or popping of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), reduced opening, locking, pain while chewing, or tension associated with bruxism may be linked to a temporomandibular disorder. The assessment looks at joint mobility, the chewing muscles, the neck, movement coordination, and habits that increase strain.

VESTIBULAR

VESTIBULAR DISORDERS

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), certain peripheral vestibular disorders, and the aftereffects of labyrinthitis can cause vertigo, nausea, instability, or sensitivity to position changes. Depending on the clinical picture, vestibular rehabilitation may include repositioning maneuvers, gaze exercises, habituation, and balance exercises.

CERVICAL / BALANCE

CERVICOGENIC DIZZINESS AND LOSS OF BALANCE

Some people experience dizziness or a feeling of instability associated with neck pain or stiffness. The assessment focuses on neck mobility, cervical proprioception, and eye movement.

HEADACHES

CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE

A cervicogenic headache is a headache originating from the neck. It can be associated with neck movements, prolonged postures, or sensitivity in the cervical joints and muscles. Treatment aims to restore mobility, improve muscle control, and reduce aggravating mechanical factors.

HEADACHES

MIGRAINE AND TENSION HEADACHE

Migraine involves complex mechanisms that go beyond physiotherapy alone, but tension in the trapezius, suboccipital muscles, scalenes, and neck can sometimes amplify discomfort in certain people. A complementary approach can target musculoskeletal components, postural habits, and movement tolerance.

NERVE PAIN

NEURALGIA: OCCIPITAL (ARNOLD’S) AND TRIGEMINAL

Sharp, burning, electric, or shooting pain in the head or face may suggest nerve irritation or involvement. Arnold’s neuralgia causes pain in the forehead and scalp, while trigeminal neuralgia affects the face.

MUSCULAR

MYALGIA AND TRIGGER POINTS

The muscles of the neck, jaw, temples, and shoulders can develop hypersensitive areas that produce local pain or pain referred to the head and face. Care typically combines manual techniques, exercises, load modulation, and strategies to reduce the factors that maintain tension.

POSTURE / MOVEMENT

POSTURAL DISORDERS

Prolonged screen time, static work, certain sleep habits, or poor tolerance to certain postures can increase strain on the neck and jaw. Rather than seeking the ‘perfect posture’, physiotherapy mainly aims to improve variety of positions, movement control, endurance, and ergonomics.

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When to consult?

Symptoms that deserve a professional assessment

See a physiotherapist when a symptom persists, recurs regularly, limits your activities, or is accompanied by a noticeable decline in function.

JAW PAIN

Discomfort when chewing, yawning, opening your mouth, or upon waking.

CLICKING OR LOCKING

Popping, deviation, intermittent locking, or reduced jaw opening.

RECURRING HEADACHES

Headaches influenced by the neck, prolonged postures, muscle tension, or certain movements.

VERTIGO

A spinning or moving sensation triggered by certain changes in head position.

DIZZINESS

A feeling of instability, floating, or disorientation, with or without neck pain.

LOSS OF BALANCE

Difficulty walking straight, turning your head quickly, or moving through visually busy environments.

FACIAL AND NECK TENSION

Stiffness in the trapezius, suboccipital muscles, chewing muscles, temples, or cervical region.

NERVE PAIN

Shooting, burning, stabbing pain or hypersensitivity in the back of the head, temple, cheek, or jaw.

Our approach

A rigorous 5-step clinical process

At Physio Plateau, the head-neck-jaw region and the vestibular system call for a methodical assessment. Treatment always depends on the dominant mechanism and your goals.

Comprehensive clinical assessment

The first appointment helps clarify the nature of your symptoms, the circumstances in which they appeared, aggravating factors, and limited activities. Depending on the problem, the examination may include cervical mobility, the temporomandibular joint, the chewing muscles, motor control, balance, eye movements, and certain vestibular tests.

Identifying the underlying mechanisms

Your physiotherapist will explain the factors that appear to contribute to the problem: joint, muscular, cervical, vestibular, sensorimotor, or behavioral components. When symptoms do not correspond to a condition primarily suited to physiotherapy, a referral to the appropriate professional may be recommended.

Personalized treatment plan

The plan is tailored to your condition, profession, leisure activities, and goals. It may include mobility exercises, strengthening, motor control, ergonomic adjustments, and strategies for gradually returning to tasks.

Active and manual treatment in the clinic

Depending on the condition, the session may include manual therapy, cervical and temporomandibular exercises, vestibular rehabilitation, balance training, habituation, gaze control, muscle release, strengthening, and advice on managing activities.

Independence and prevention of recurrence

The final phase aims to consolidate progress and give you concrete strategies for managing symptoms, varying your postures, pacing your efforts, and gradually returning to your work, sports, and social activities with confidence.

Prepare your visit

To consider before your first visit

Treatment for head, jaw, and facial pain is based on a personalized approach aimed at addressing the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Symptom history – Note when the symptoms started, what triggers them, how long they last, and which activities make them worse or better.
Bring any relevant imaging reports, ENT, dental, neurological, or medical assessments you may have.
Prepare a list of medications, dental splints, previous treatments, or interventions already tried.
Clothing and hair — Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your neck and shoulders. If you have long hair, tie it back to make the assessment and treatment easier.

Each treatment plan is tailored to your reality, whether your goal is a return to daily function or a return to sport.

Our team

Our therapists offer
this service

Rémi Grandhomme – Lauren Quigley – Zoé Nguyen-Bergeron – Emmanuelle Harris Ranger – Myriam Lafrance – Guillaume Hohly – Olivier Benoit

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about head, jaw, and facial physiotherapy

Can physiotherapy help with jaw pain or clicking?

Yes. Temporomandibular dysfunction can be influenced by joint mobility, opening coordination, the chewing muscles, bruxism, and the cervical region. The assessment helps determine which factors are modifiable and allows us to recommend appropriate exercises, manual therapy, and self-management strategies.

Can a physiotherapist treat vertigo?

Yes, in many cases. BPPV, certain vestibular disorders, and some types of dizziness with a cervical component can benefit from specific assessment and rehabilitation. If the symptoms suggest another cause or present concerning signs, your physiotherapist will refer you for a medical evaluation.

Can physiotherapy help after a concussion?

Yes, physiotherapy should be part of the care plan, particularly when cervical, vestibular, or balance symptoms persist, or when there is intolerance to movement and effort. The return to activity should be gradual and tailored to the individual.

Can my headaches come from my neck?

Some headaches are called cervicogenic when structures in the cervical region contribute to the headache. Neck movements, prolonged postures, or muscle sensitivity can be associated with these symptoms. The clinical assessment helps determine whether a cervical component is present.

Can bruxism cause facial and jaw pain?

Clenching or grinding your teeth can increase the load on the chewing muscles and the temporomandibular joint. Physiotherapy can help reduce tension, improve movement, and offer complementary strategies. Collaboration with a dentist may also be relevant depending on the situation.

When should I see someone quickly for a headache or dizziness?

Urgent medical evaluation is warranted for sudden or unusual symptoms, especially if accompanied by weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, loss of consciousness, a significant new visual disturbance, high fever, major trauma, or a sudden and unusually severe headache. If in doubt, consult a healthcare professional promptly.