Whiplash and Jaw Pain — The Overlooked Connection

When someone is involved in a rear-end collision, the head and neck are suddenly thrown forward and back, stretching soft tissues in the cervical spine beyond their normal limits.  This can cause sprains, strains, or small tears that lead to the familiar cluster of symptoms known as whiplash-associated disorders.  Most people think of neck pain when they hear “whiplash,” but another problem that often develops—and is sometimes missed—is jaw pain or dysfunction, medically referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the small, complex joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull.  It’s a hinge-and-slide joint surrounded by a capsule and divided into two compartments by an articular disc.  This design allows the jaw to move up and down, side to side, and forward and backward—motions we rely on for speaking, eating, and even breathing comfortably.

During a whiplash injury, the TMJ can be directly affected.  As the head snaps backward and forward, the jaw lags slightly behind the skull, placing tremendous strain on the joint and the surrounding muscles and ligaments.  Because the neck and jaw share several muscle and nerve connections, an injury in one area can easily create pain or dysfunction in the other.  Just as neck problems can refer pain into the head (as in cervicogenic headaches), similar mechanisms can cause pain that’s felt in the jaw, mimicking TMD.

A recent review published in May 2025 looked at hospital records from 2019 to 2023 and found that jaw muscle tenderness following traffic collisions occurred in roughly one-quarter of children and up to one-third of older adults.  About one in seven patients reported difficulty opening their mouth after a collision—showing just how common this issue really is.

The good news is that chiropractic and manual therapies, when combined with specific exercises for both the neck and jaw, have been shown to be very effective in managing these problems.  One case published in March 2023 described a 39-year-old woman with persistent jaw pain, neck discomfort, and headaches that hadn’t responded to traditional medical care.  Her chiropractor identified restricted movement in both the neck and jaw.  After a period of targeted treatment and exercises, she reported complete relief of her symptoms.

At our office, we address the cervical spine, the TMJ movement, and the muscles attached to the TMJ.  We have found an aggressive approach to include manipulation, low level laser, and dry needling very effective in relieving symptoms.

In short, jaw pain after a car accident isn’t uncommon—and it’s often related to whiplash more than most people realize. Fortunately, conservative care that restores normal motion to both the neck and TMJ can make a big difference in recovery.

This article is based on content originally published by Chiro-Trust.org.  It has been adapted for use on this website with permission.