Easing Jaw Pain, Headaches and Neck Tension: An Office Professional’s Recovery Journey

Discover how a structured, multi-factor approach supported improvements in jaw pain, headaches and work tolerance

A JAW PAIN & HEADACHE CASE STUDY : PUBLISHED 04/06/2026

Ms JS

An office-based creative professional
Occupation: Desk-based role with high computer demands
Presentation: Jaw pain, clicking, headaches, neck and shoulder tension
Goal: Reduce pain, improve sleep, and tolerate prolonged desk work more comfortably

Ms Js

Background and Challenge:
This individual sought care for jaw pain that initially felt similar to dental pain, alongside jaw clicking, frequent headaches, neck tension and right-sided shoulder discomfort. These symptoms began to significantly affect:

Sleep quality
Chewing comfort
Concentration
Ability to sustain long hours at the computer, particularly during high-pressure work periods

Prior Medical and Dental Review

Before attending osteopathic care, the individual was assessed by both a dentist and endodontist. Dental health was considered sound, and infection was ruled out. This helped shift the focus toward:

The jaw joint (TMJ)
Muscle tension and clenching patterns
Neck and postural contributors

Assessment, Care Approach and Environment adjustments

Osteopathic Assessment:
Assessment suggested a combination of contributing factors, including:

Jaw irritation associated with clenching or grinding
Muscle overactivity in the jaw and neck
Headache contribution from upper neck tension
Upper back strain related to workstation setup

Jaw opening showed altered movement with clicking on the right side, alongside marked tenderness through the jaw, neck and shoulder muscles.

Care Approach

The care plan focused on reducing irritation, improving movement, and addressing contributing factors to help reduce recurrence. This included:

Gentle hands-on osteopathic care to the jaw, neck and upper back
Stretching and movement guidance
Pacing strategies and regular breaks from desk work
Workstation adjustments to improve support and reduce strain
Collaboration with dental care, including splint use for night grinding

Workstation Adjustments

A detailed workstation review identified several practical contributors to ongoing strain:

Limited chair movement due to a shag-pile rug
Reduced forearm support during mouse use
Chair height set too low

Adjustments included:

Removing the rug and trialling a chair mat
Raising chair height
Sitting closer to the desk
Improving forearm support
Introducing regular movement breaks

Result and Outcome:

Over the early phase of care, the individual reported:

Pain reducing from 9/10 to 0–1/10
Fewer headaches
Improved comfort with chewing
Better sleep quality
Increased tolerance for desk work
Reduced reliance on medication

During periods of increased work stress, some flare-ups occurred. However, these were:

Less severe than the initial episode
More manageable
Responsive to follow-up care

Current Status

The individual continues with occasional maintenance care. Symptoms are now generally manageable, with intermittent flare-ups rather than persistent high-level pain.

Conclusion: What This Case May Suggest
This example highlights how jaw pain and headaches may involve multiple contributing factors, including muscle tension, work habits, and environmental setup.

A combined approach addressing:

Movement
Load management
Ergonomics
Co-management with other providers

may be helpful for some people experiencing similar concerns.

If you’re experiencing jaw pain, headaches, or neck tension affecting your daily activities, an individual assessment may help identify contributing factors and appropriate management options.

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Shared with permission. Identifying details may be changed for privacy.
This case study is for general education and isn’t medical advice. Individual needs vary—seek an assessment for your situation.