New Research Explores the Link Between Jaw Function, Balance and Vertigo Recovery
- Julian Simpson
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Written by Dr Julian Simpson — Chiropractor with 15+ years of experience, Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation, and author/reviewer of 800+ health articles.
New Research Explores the Link Between Jaw Function, Balance and Vertigo Recovery
Could Jaw and Neck Function Influence Recovery From Vertigo?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness and vertigo, affecting thousands of Australians each year. While repositioning manoeuvres such as the Epley manoeuvre are highly effective for treating the underlying vestibular problem, many patients continue to experience lingering symptoms including balance problems, unsteadiness, neck tension and dizziness even after successful treatment.
A recent randomised controlled trial has explored whether adding temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment and soft tissue therapy to standard BPPV care could improve recovery outcomes.
The findings provide some interesting insights into the relationship between the jaw, neck, balance system and dizziness.
What is BPPV?
BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) become displaced within the inner ear's balance system.
These crystals interfere with normal vestibular function and can cause:
Sudden spinning sensations (vertigo)
Dizziness when rolling over in bed
Loss of balance
Nausea
Motion sensitivity
Difficulty walking confidently
BPPV is considered the most common peripheral vestibular disorder and is typically treated using repositioning manoeuvres designed to guide the crystals back into their correct location.
Why Do Some People Still Feel Dizzy After Treatment?
Although repositioning manoeuvres are highly successful, research suggests that approximately 20–30% of people continue to experience residual dizziness, imbalance or postural instability even after the vertigo itself has resolved.
Researchers believe this may be due to a combination of factors including:
Incomplete vestibular compensation
Sensorimotor integration issues
Anxiety associated with dizziness
Musculoskeletal dysfunction
Altered proprioception from the neck and jaw
This has led researchers to investigate whether treating musculoskeletal structures may assist some patients during recovery.
What Did the Study Investigate?
Researchers recruited 41 adults diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV.
All participants received:
Standard medical assessment
Epley repositioning manoeuvres
A home vestibular rehabilitation program performed twice daily for four weeks
One group also received:
Soft tissue therapy targeting the jaw muscles
Weekly treatment sessions over four weeks
The goal was to determine whether addressing jaw function could improve dizziness, balance and recovery outcomes.
What Were the Results?
Both Groups Improved Significantly
The good news is that both groups experienced substantial improvements in:
Vertigo symptoms
Dizziness severity
Disability related to dizziness
Anxiety levels
Quality of life
This reinforces the effectiveness of standard BPPV management, including repositioning manoeuvres and vestibular rehabilitation.
Participants who received TMJ mobilisation experienced significantly greater improvements in:
Jaw function
Mouth opening
Jaw mobility
Temporomandibular disorder symptoms
These improvements were substantially greater than those seen in the control group.
Some Balance Measures Improved
The treatment group also demonstrated greater improvement in selected balance tests, particularly tandem standing balance with eyes open. Researchers suggested this may indicate improvements in certain aspects of sensorimotor control and proprioceptive integration.
However, the improvements were not consistent across all balance measures, meaning further research is still needed.
What Does the Jaw Have to Do With Balance?
This is where the study becomes particularly interesting.
The jaw, neck and vestibular system share neurological connections through the nervous system.
Researchers suggest that dysfunction within the temporomandibular joint or surrounding muscles may influence:
Proprioception (the body's position sense)
Postural control
Sensorimotor integration
Balance mechanisms
The study authors proposed that manual therapy targeting the jaw and cranio-cervical region may influence these pathways and potentially assist recovery in some patients.
Previous research has also shown links between cervical dysfunction and dizziness.
The neck contains a high concentration of proprioceptive receptors that help the brain understand head position and movement.
When neck joints and muscles are not functioning optimally, altered sensory information may contribute to:
Dizziness
Balance disturbances
Unsteadiness
Headaches
Motion sensitivity
This growing body of evidence supports the concept that dizziness is not always solely an inner ear problem. In some cases, musculoskeletal factors may also play a role.
What Does This Mean for People Experiencing Dizziness?
The most important takeaway from this research is that standard BPPV management remains the primary and most effective treatment for positional vertigo.
However, for individuals who continue to experience:
Residual dizziness
Balance problems
Jaw dysfunction
Neck stiffness
Ongoing postural instability
a broader assessment of musculoskeletal factors may be beneficial.
The researchers concluded that TMJ interventions may provide complementary benefits in selected cases, particularly for patients with ongoing balance challenges following conventional treatment.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we frequently assess patients presenting with:
Dizziness
Neck pain
Headaches
Jaw tension
Postural dysfunction
Balance concerns
A comprehensive assessment can help identify whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to symptoms while ensuring appropriate referral for vestibular or medical assessment when required.
Many patients experiencing dizziness also report:
Addressing these factors may help improve comfort, mobility and overall function as part of a broader management approach.
Looking for Help With Dizziness, Vertigo or Jaw-Related Symptoms in Sunbury?
If you're experiencing vertigo, balance problems, jaw discomfort, headaches or neck stiffness, it is important to have the underlying cause properly assessed.
At Health Wise Chiropractic in Sunbury, we provide evidence-informed assessments for dizziness, headaches, neck pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Our goal is to identify contributing factors, improve function and help guide patients towards the most appropriate management pathway.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to posture-related care.
Treatment may include:
We focus on addressing both the symptoms and the underlying biomechanical stress contributing to neck dysfunction.
About the Author
Dr Julian Simpson is an Australian chiropractor with over 15 years of experience in musculoskeletal healthcare and rehabilitation.
He is a Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation and has reviewed and written more than 800 evidence-based health articles focused on spinal health, rehabilitation, sports injuries and conservative care approaches.
His treatment focus includes:
Chiropractic adjustments
Sports chiropractic
Massage therapy
Shockwave therapy
Laser therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression
Dr Simpson provides patient care through Healthwise Chiropractic, serving communities including Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest and surrounding regions.
Reference
Güler D, Araci A, Günizi H, Kar M. The role of temporomandibular joint mobilization in the management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2026 May 21. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-52637-x. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42168393.
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