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Stapleton Chiropractic - trusted by Adelaide families for over 50 years

528 Marion Road · Plympton Park · Adelaide

TMJ and jaw pain chiropractor in Adelaide

That morning jaw ache, the click when you chew, or the clench that builds through a desk day can make eating, talking, and sleep harder than they should be. If you want to feel better and get a clearer picture of what may be going on, book a first visit: 7am to 7pm weekdays, Saturday mornings, and free on-site parking on Marion Road.

TMJ and jaw pain is aching, clicking, catching, or restricted opening around the jaw joint and nearby muscles. It may stay local, or it may travel with neck tightness or temple headache. A chiropractic assessment with Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) may help map what may be contributing and discuss suitable options. This is not a diagnosis from a webpage. Individual presentations vary.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) at Stapleton Chiropractic, Plympton Park
Dr Sam Johnson (Principal Chiropractor)
B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) TMJ and jaw · Marion Road

B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) · AHPRA Registered

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) has practised on Marion Road for over 10 years, continuing a clinic families have trusted since 1972.

Stapleton Chiropractic · Est. 1972 · ACA Member

(08) 8297 5277

Does this sound like you?

Educational wayline illustration of the jaw, temples, and upper neck region

Everyone starts somewhere different.
Tap the one that sounds like you.

What Happens in Your First Assessment

Clear steps. You stay in control of what happens next.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) listening to a patient at the start of a first visit
1

We listen first

Your story, work demands, and what is getting in the way of normal days.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) completing a physical assessment
2

Thorough assessment

Jaw opening, joint sounds, and a careful look at the upper neck as well as the area that bothers you.

Where possible, treatment may be provided on the first visit.*

*Only where clinically appropriate, based on clinical need and suitability. Individual responses vary.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) explaining assessment findings in clear language
3

Clear answers

What we found, what it may mean for you, and sensible options from here.

Reception at Stapleton Chiropractic during a patient handoff
4

A plan you control

If care may help, we outline options. You choose whether and how to proceed.

Assessment findings and any care offered are individual. Treatment is only provided where clinically appropriate. Individual responses vary.

How much does a first visit cost?

Clear numbers. No surprises.

Initial visit Save over 40% vs the SA average $69 initial · SA average $122*

Initial consultation

$69

SA average: $122*

Stapleton$69
SA average*$122

Standard visit

$60

SA average: $71*

Stapleton$60
SA average*$71
No lock-in plans All major health funds accepted

After your assessment, you choose how you'd like to proceed. You choose what happens next.

*Australian Chiropractors Association Consultation Fee Survey 2025 (SA data). All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

Quick answers before you book

The five things people usually want cleared first.

Can chiropractic help with TMJ or jaw pain? Most asked

Often, yes, when the story is musculoskeletal. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) examines the jaw and the upper neck together, explains what he finds in clear language, and maps a next step. Individual responses vary. If a dentist, GP, or another path is wiser, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.

How much does a first visit cost? Most asked

Initial consultation $69. Standard visit $60. Over 40% below the SA average of $122 (ACA Fee Survey 2025). All major health funds accepted.

Do you accept private health? Most asked

All major private health funds accepted where your cover applies.

Do I need a referral?

No. Book directly. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) is happy to correspond with your GP or dentist when that is useful.

Should I see a chiropractor or a dentist for TMJ?

Both may play a role. Assessment decides. Dentists look after teeth, bite, and splints. Here we look at jaw mechanics, muscle load, and the upper neck. If dental assessment is the wiser path, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.

More questions further down the page. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses vary.

Ready to book?

Choose a time that suits. No referral needed.

Your first visit
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)

B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) · Marion Road, Adelaide

$69

Initial consultation

Open the live diary and pick a time that suits

  • $69 first visit
  • Weekdays 7am to 7pm
  • Saturday mornings
  • Free on-site parking
  • All major health funds
  • No lock-in plans

Prefer to call? (08) 8297 5277

All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

More questions people ask

Deeper answers if you want them. The booking path is still above.

Why does my jaw click when I open my mouth?

Clicking is often the disc inside the TMJ relocating during movement. Clicking alone is common and not always concerning.

If it sits with pain, difficulty opening, or locking, it warrants assessment. A webpage cannot give you that label.

Can stress sit with jaw pain?

It may. Subconscious clenching may overload the chewing muscles and the jaw joint. We can assess the physical consequences. This is not a mental-health service.

When should I see a GP or dentist instead of booking here?

You do not need a GP referral to see a chiropractor in Australia. If jaw pain sits with chest tightness, fever and swelling, trauma lock, sudden hearing loss, or face weakness, start with your GP or emergency care.

If teeth, bite, or a splint is the louder story, a dentist is often the first stop. We will say so if that is the wiser path.

Will the visit be uncomfortable?

Hands-on care including adjustments, and gentle low-force options, are available when appropriate. Temporary discomfort can happen. Options are explained so you can decide. Suitability is decided after assessment, not in advance from a page.

Where do I park and how do I find you?

528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038. Free on-site parking at the clinic. Easy access via the main road if you are already driving past. Open in Maps.

How many visits will I need?

There is no fixed number for everyone. Progress is reviewed regularly. Individual responses vary.

Should I see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist for jaw pain?

Both are qualified to assess musculoskeletal presentations. Here the first visit is an honest check of jaw mechanics, muscle load, and the upper neck. If physio, a dentist, or something else may fit better, Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.

Do you use spinal manipulation or mobilisation?

Hands-on care including adjustments, and gentle low-force options, are available when appropriate. Suitability is decided after assessment, not in advance from a page. Options are explained so you can decide.

What is the difference between TMJ and TMD?

TMJ names the joint. TMD names a group of disorders around that joint and the nearby muscles. Most people say TMJ when they mean jaw pain. We understand what they mean.

Should I get a mouthguard for grinding?

A night guard from your dentist may protect teeth. It does not replace a check of muscle load or the upper neck. The two paths can sit together. We do not supply dental splints here.

Do I need imaging for TMJ or jaw pain?

Not always. Imaging is typically considered where there are red flags, significant trauma, or when a surgical or specialist dental opinion is being considered.

X-rays only with your agreement. A scan is a clue, not the whole plan.

Can neck pain sit with jaw pain?

It may. The upper neck and the jaw share nerve pathways. A structured assessment looks at both. If the story stays in the neck, see our neck pain page.

Which mechanical patterns may be involved?

Several patterns may look similar. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.

When should I seek urgent care for jaw pain?

Many jaw presentations are mechanical. Call 000 or attend ED if you develop any of the following.

Seek urgent care if these signs appear Call 000 or attend ED. Many jaw presentations are mechanical.

Jaw pain with chest or arm pain

Jaw pain with chest tightness, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain into the left arm. This may suggest a cardiac emergency. Call 000.

Lock after trauma

Sudden inability to open or close after a blow, fall, or crash. Seek emergency or dental-surgical care first.

Swelling with fever

Significant facial swelling with fever may suggest infection. This is outside chiropractic scope.

Hearing change, severe ear pain or face weakness

Jaw pain with sudden hearing loss, severe ear pain, or numbness or weakness in the face. Seek medical assessment first.

General information only, not medical advice. This is not an exhaustive list. If you are unsure, contact your GP, healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or emergency services. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.

What may be contributing to TMJ or jaw pain?

A short orientation only. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.

Which region may this follow?

A short orientation only. The starting point is a careful assessment, not a label from a webpage.

TMJ and jaw pain is a regional pattern. The joint you feel is not always the only driver. The jaw joint, the disc inside it, the chewing muscles, and the upper neck may all sit in the same week.

A disc-type story may sit with click, catch, or a brief lock on opening. A muscle-type story may sit with morning ache, tongue marks, or a clench you notice after meetings. A neck-type story may sit with desk stiffness and temple headache in the same afternoon. Those maps are clues. They are not a diagnosis from this page.

Live assessment here includes history plus a bedside cluster: opening range, joint sounds, side-to-side movement, masticatory muscle load, and an upper-cervical screen. Cardiac, infection, trauma-lock, and neurological red flags stay open. Individual presentations vary.

If the story is mainly neck, see our neck pain page. If temple headache is louder, see headaches. If a dentist is the wiser first step for teeth, bite, or a splint, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

What does research suggest about TMJ and jaw care?

Guideline and review-level context for conversation. Individual responses vary. This is not a personal prognosis.

$69Initial consult here
$122SA average initial*
1972Clinic established
6 daysMon to Sat hours

Cervical manual therapy and TMD

A 2023 systematic review of randomised trials reported that manual therapy applied to the cervical spine may help reduce orofacial pain and improve jaw function in some people with TMD. Review context, not a prediction for you.

Liberato et al., 2023 · PMID 37389837

Conservative first-line reviews

A 2022 rapid review of 62 systematic reviews reported moderate evidence supporting a multimodal conservative approach as initial management for temporomandibular disorders. That is guideline-level conversation, not a personal plan.

Tran et al., 2022 · PMID 35339331

Bruxism and TMD association

A 2023 meta-analysis reported that bruxism was associated with higher odds of TMD in the studies reviewed. Association is not a diagnosis, and it is not your personal risk score.

Mortazavi et al., 2023 · PMID 37474733

How common TMD is in research samples

A 2021 systematic review of prevalence studies described TMD as common in adult samples, with disc displacement and myofascial pain among frequent patterns. Study-design context only. It does not diagnose you.

Valesan et al., 2021 · PMID 33409693

Red flags stay open

Most jaw pain we see is mechanical. Screening still matters. Chest tightness with jaw pain, trauma lock, fever with swelling, or face weakness means urgent medical care first.

Conversation context, not a personal prognosis

After we assess we talk it through

Care is discussed after assessment. Progress is reviewed regularly. If imaging, your dentist, your GP, or another path is wiser, we say so. In-house cold laser may be discussed if a soft-tissue picture fits. Ask at your visit. Individual responses vary.

Conversation context, not a personal prognosis

What this means here

Citations support a conversation. They do not promise your outcome. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will explain what he finds and what is sensible next. You choose.

Book a first visit to apply this to you

QuestionChiropractic herePhysiotherapy
Primary focusJaw mechanics, masticatory muscle load, and upper-neck assessment, with hands-on care including adjustments where suitableOften more exercise-focused or soft-tissue-centric
ExerciseExercises and stretches may be prescribed where appropriate, alongside hands-on careExercise rehabilitation is often a main focus
Soft tissueIn-house cold laser may be discussed if a soft-tissue picture fits. Ask at your visitSoft-tissue work varies by clinic
Referral needed?No. Book directlyNo
Plan or contract?You choose the next stepVaries by clinic
If this is not the right fitWe refer and point you in the right direction, including to a dentist when that is wiserYour physio may refer on

Citations support conversation, not a guarantee. Not a diagnosis. Individual responses vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.

Does your work pattern sound familiar?

Three common situations. Tap a card. This is orientation, not a diagnosis.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.

Location Hours and Practical Details

What you need for a smooth first visit.

Location

528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 Free on-site parking at the clinic.

Get directions

Open early, late Saturday

  • Mon to Fri7am to 7pm
  • Saturday8am to 12pm
  • SundayClosed

Health funds

All major health funds accepted where your cover applies.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing. Recent imaging or reports if you have them. No referral needed.

Ready when you are

on Marion Road

Est. 1972

Stapleton Chiropractic
528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 · Directions
(08) 8297 5277
Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm · Sat 8am to 12pm
(08) 8297 5277
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) during a hands-on assessment at Stapleton Chiropractic

References

  1. Liberato FM, et al. (2023). Manual therapy applied to the cervical joint reduces pain and improves jaw function in people with TMD. Journal of Oral and Facial Pain and Headache, 37(2):101-111. PMID 37389837.
  2. Tran C, et al. (2022). Management of temporomandibular disorders: a rapid review of systematic reviews and guidelines. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 51(9):1211-1225. PMID 35339331.
  3. Mortazavi N, et al. (2023). Is bruxism associated with temporomandibular joint disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Dentistry, 24(3):144. PMID 37474733.
  4. Valesan LF, et al. (2021). Prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations, 25(2):441-453. PMID 33409693.
  5. Walczynska-Dragon K, Baron S. (2011). The biomechanical and functional relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction and cervical spine pain. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 13(4):93-98. PMID 22339095.
  6. La Touche R, et al. (2009). The effects of manual therapy and exercise targeting the neck in TMD. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 36(9):644-652. PMID 19627454.
Last clinically reviewed 23 August 2026 by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq). AHPRA registered. Individual responses vary.
© Stapleton Chiropractic. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq). AHPRA registered. 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038
author avatar
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), B.Chiro.Sc (Macq), M.Chiro (Macq), is the Principal Chiropractor and Clinic Director at Stapleton Chiropractic in Plympton Park, Adelaide. He provides evidence-informed chiropractic care with a focus on musculoskeletal health, spinal movement, and functional improvement. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) works with adults, older adults, and families across all stages of life, supporting concerns such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and postural issues. He is committed to clear communication, personalised care planning, and long-term patient outcomes.
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