The sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck during a rear-end collision can stretch the soft tissues surrounding the cervical spine beyond their normal range of motion. This can result in strains, sprains, and tears that trigger the cluster of symptoms collectively known as whiplash-associated disorders. While neck pain is widely recognized, one consequence that often occurs but is less commonly considered is temporomandibular disorders (TMD), or jaw pain and associated disability.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed by the socket in the temporal bone of the skull and the condyle of the mandible (jawbone). It is a synovial, condylar, hinge-type joint, with an articular disk that divides the joint into superior and inferior cavities, each lined with its own synovial membrane. A capsule surrounds the joint and attaches to the articular eminence, the articular disk, and the neck of the mandibular condyle. This unique structure allows the jaw to open and close, move side to side, and shift forward and backward, enabling essential functions such as breathing, eating, and speaking.

The rapid forces generated in a whiplash event can directly injure the TMJ as the jaw lags slightly behind the skull, subjecting the joint to excessive forces. Because several muscles and connective tissues link the head, neck, and jaw, injury to these structures can also impair jaw function, leading to both pain and disability. Just as cervicogenic headaches occur when dysfunction in the neck refers pain into the head, similar mechanisms can refer pain to the jaw, creating TMD-like symptoms.

In May 2025, researchers reviewed records from five hospitals covering 2019 to 2023 and found that post-traffic collision jaw muscle tenderness upon palpation ranged from 25% in children and adolescents to 32.56% in older adults. Overall, approximately one in seven patients reported difficulty opening their mouth.

Fortunately, studies have shown that manual therapies combined with therapeutic exercises for both the jaw and neck can effectively manage TMD, whether associated with whiplash or not. A March 2023 case report illustrated this approach in a 39-year-old woman with a six-month history of unexplained jaw pain, disability, co-occurring neck pain, and headaches. She consulted a chiropractor after limited success with conventional treatment. Examination revealed reduced cervical range of motion and tightness in multiple neck muscles. Following a multimodal treatment approach aimed at restoring normal motion to both the cervical spine and TMJ, the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms.