A jaw that clicks, teeth you grind at night, headaches that creep up from your neck: they're often one problem, not three. At La' Vita Osteo Health & Rehab, we treat your jaw, neck and posture together with gentle, hands-on osteopathy.
Tick anything that feels familiar. Many people are surprised by how many of these are connected.
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sits just in front of each ear. The muscles that close your jaw are some of the strongest in your body, and they share space, nerves and tension with the muscles of your neck, temples and upper shoulders.
When you clench, grind or hold your head forward over a screen, those muscles work all day without a break. Over time that can make your jaw click or ache, and it can feed the tension-type headaches that start at the back of your head or your temples.
That's why a night guard alone, or painkillers alone, often isn't enough. At La' Vita Osteo, we look at your jaw, neck, posture and breathing as one system and treat the whole pattern.
Deadlines, worry and busy days show up as a clenched jaw, often without you noticing.
Grinding while you sleep overloads the jaw muscles and leaves you sore by morning.
A forward head position changes how your jaw rests and tightens the base of your skull.
Long dental appointments, whiplash or a knock to the face can leave the jaw stiff for months.
Mouth breathing and shallow chest breathing keep the neck and jaw muscles switched on.
Many Calgarians notice headaches when a Chinook rolls in. A tight neck and jaw can make you more sensitive.
They often travel together, but each has its own signs. Here's how they usually show up.
Have both? That's very common. A tight jaw and a tight neck feed each other, which is why we assess and treat them together.
From a jaw that's clicked for years to headaches that started last month, these are the issues we see most in our Calgary clinic.
Already seeing a dentist or using a night guard? Keep going. We work alongside your dentist, not instead of them.
Your first 75 minutes are spent finding out why your jaw and head hurt, so treatment targets the cause and not just the symptom.
How wide your mouth opens, whether it shifts to one side, and when it clicks.
Gentle checks of the chewing muscles in your cheeks and temples for tightness and tender points.
The top joints of your neck, which commonly refer pain into the head and face.
How far your head sits forward and how your shoulders and upper back carry tension.
Whether you breathe through your mouth or chest, both of which keep the jaw and neck tight.
When your headaches start, where they sit and what sets them off, to spot your triggers.
Your first visit is $160 + GST and includes this full assessment and your first treatment. Direct billing is available. See all prices
Every plan is tailored to you, but most jaw and headache care at La' Vita Osteo follows this path.
We map how your jaw, neck, posture and breathing interact, and what tends to trigger your pain.
Slow, gentle work on the cheeks, temples and around the jaw joint eases clenching tension and helps the jaw move smoothly.
We release the base of the skull and mobilize the upper neck and shoulders, where most tension headaches begin.
Light cranial techniques and breathing work help your body switch out of "clench" mode, which many patients find deeply relaxing.
You leave with simple jaw exercises, a resting jaw position to practise, and desk tips to stop the tension building again.
Everyone responds at their own pace. This is how progress typically looks for our jaw and headache patients.
A full assessment, your first treatment, and a clear picture of what's driving your symptoms.
Many people notice a looser jaw, less morning soreness and fewer or milder headaches.
Visits space out as your jaw exercises and posture changes start doing the work.
Optional check-ups during stressful periods or Chinook season keep tension from creeping back.
Simple, free and surprisingly effective. These are the tips we give our patients most often.
Your teeth should only touch when you chew or swallow. Rest your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth.
A phone reminder or sticky note a few times a day helps you catch clenching and let go.
Bring the top of your screen to eye level so your head stops drifting forward.
A warm cloth on your cheeks and temples for 10 minutes can relax tight chewing muscles.
During a flare-up, skip gum, chewy foods and big bites, and cut food into smaller pieces.
Ten quiet minutes of slow breathing or stretching before sleep can reduce night-time clenching.
Most jaw pain and tension headaches respond well to hands-on care. Please seek medical or dental attention before booking with us if you have:
If any of these come on suddenly, go to emergency care or call 911.
Pavneet founded La' Vita Osteo Health & Rehab and brings more than 10 years of hands-on experience to every jaw and headache case. Her approach is slow, precise and calming, which matters when you're treating an area as sensitive as the jaw and face.
More about our clinic →"This was my first time getting an osteo treatment. It was light and gentle but very effective. My neck and shoulder felt much better after the session. Pavneet is knowledgeable and professional. … I will definitely return!"
"… I’m so grateful for the care I received at La’ Vita Osteo Health & Rehab. Pavneet is kind, attentive, and professional. She truly listen to you and make you feel comfortable every step of the way. …"
"Highly recommend making an appointment to see Pavneet at La’Vita Osteo Health & Rehab. She is the best of the best, kind and caring. She will follow up with you after to check in."
Tell us what you've been dealing with and we'll call you back. You'll get an honest view on whether osteopathy can help, with no obligation to book.
We've received your details and our team will get back to you shortly.
Yes. Much TMJ pain comes from overworked jaw muscles and tension in the neck and upper back. Gentle osteopathic techniques can relax those muscles and improve how your jaw moves, while home exercises help keep it that way.
Often both. Your dentist checks your teeth and bite and may fit a night guard. We focus on the muscles, joint movement, neck and posture around the jaw. The two work well together.
Yes. Keep wearing it unless your dentist tells you otherwise. A night guard protects your teeth, while our treatment works on the muscle tension and habits behind the clenching.
Many people with tension-type headaches find relief when tightness in the neck, upper back and jaw is eased. We also help you spot your triggers so headaches come less often.
We can't change the weather, but many patients find their Chinook headaches are milder when their neck and jaw are less tense. Treatment ahead of the windy season can help.
Many people notice a difference within two or three visits. Long-standing clenching or headaches may need a few more. You'll get a clear plan after your first assessment.
No. Techniques around the jaw and face are slow and gentle, and you can ask us to adjust at any time. Most people find treatment calming.
Your first visit is 75 minutes for $160 + GST, including a full assessment and treatment. Follow-up sessions are 45–60 minutes for $140 + GST.
Many extended health plans cover osteopathy. We direct bill where your plan allows and provide receipts for every visit. No doctor's referral is needed to book.
Book your 75-minute jaw and headache assessment ($160 + GST) at La' Vita Osteo Health & Rehab, 1230A 17 Ave SW, Unit 2, Calgary. Appointments are available 7 days a week, 9 AM to 9 PM.
This page is general information and is not a diagnosis. Results vary from person to person. Manual osteopathic therapy does not replace medical or dental care; we will refer you on whenever needed.