Jaw pain can affect daily life in surprising ways. The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), where the jawbone (Mandible) meets the skull (Temporal bone), plays a vital role in eating, talking, yawning, and even smiling. When this joint is affected, it can lead to a condition known as Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD)—often referred to as Jaw Pain and TMJ Dysfunction.
Common symptoms include:
Pain when opening the mouth, eating, or yawning
Limited ability to open the mouth fully
Clicking, locking, or restriction in the jaw
Headaches (especially near the temples)
Facial or neck pain
Jaw Pain and TMJ Dysfunction may arise from trauma (e.g., car accidents), dental work, clenching or grinding teeth, gum chewing, nail-biting, or even stress-related tension.
How Can We Help?
At My Local Physio Plus, our experienced Physiotherapist John Paul Kola offers evidence-based treatment for Jaw Pain and TMJ Dysfunction. He provides one-on-one assessment to uncover the root cause of your symptoms and delivers hands-on therapy that may include:
Gentle joint mobilisation
Soft tissue release to reduce muscle tension
Education about triggers and jaw mechanics
John Paul will also prescribe a personalised home exercise program to support your recovery and prevent recurrence. These exercises are designed to strengthen, mobilise, and relax the muscles influencing the TMJ.
John Paul is available exclusively at our Golden Grove clinic.
Call 08 7325 6600 or book online to start managing your jaw pain today.
John Paul consults at the following practices below. Please click the book now button to make an appointment.
Physiotherapist
John Paul Kola
Monday
The Stables
Tuesday
The Stables
Wednesday
The Stables
Thursday
The Stables
Friday
The Stables
Saturday
n/a
John Paul Kola has been a physio for more than 18 years and has been working in musculoskeletal clinical practice settings here in South Australia for close to 15 years. John Paul has also previously worked in rehabilitation settings with children suffering from various orthopaedic and neurological conditions.
John Paul has a Postgraduate Master’s degree in Manual (Manipulative Therapy) and Sports Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia (2008) in addition to a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree (2005, Manipal University, South India). John Paul is also a Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist as recognised by the Australian Physiotherapy Association for his postgraduate qualifications and extensive experience.
John Paul is very passionate about Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and strives to help his clients get back on track from their debilitating pain conditions with a client centred approach. He has a wealth of clinical experience, providing attention to detail, thorough clinical assessments of complex problems and providing effective, individually tailored physiotherapy solutions. He is adept at providing effective hands-on treatment as well as client specific advice and exercise programs.
John Paul likes to keep himself updated with the latest advances in physiotherapy by attending various professional development courses and symposiums throughout the year. John Paul is also a GLAD certified physiotherapist and offers the GLAD program to patients with Hip and Knee Osteo Arthritis.
John Paul also specialises in treating Jaw pain (Temporo Mandibular Disorders - TMD) and associated Headaches and neck pain.
John Paul’s areas of special interest include:
Jaw pain (TMD)
Hip and Knee Osteo Arthritic pain – GLAD program
Spinal and Peripheral joint problems
Shoulder pain
Low back and Neck pain and related nerve pain like Sciatica
Hand and finger injuries
Headaches
Nerve pain
Tendon pain, e.g. Tennis elbow, Achilles tendon, plantar fasciitis
Sports injuries
Work related injuries
Ankle, Knee and Shoulder injuries
Post-operative rehabilitation for various joints including Knee, Hip, Shoulder joints, following surgery.
John Paul is also fluent in English, Telugu and Hindi languages.
