Jaw pain, some people call TMJ, with associated headaches and facial pain are a huge call to action among many of my patients. There are a wide variety of causes, and a few core solutions that in the right combinations can give many people great relief. Here are some of the typical symptoms I see on a regular basis, and a few home health tips a person can use until they can get to the right professional for examination, advice and care instructions:
Clicking Without Pain:
Jaw clicking is a big indicator among my patients that it’s time for their regular visit. Jaw alignment is something easily thrown off due to tight muscles in the jaw and neck and spinal
misalignments in the upper neck. If this is a symptom you experience, consider chiropractic care.Tight muscles and spinal misalignments are an inevitable symptom of life that require regular treatment to prevent them from becoming larger concerns. Think of a spinal misalignment the same as you do plaque on your teeth. You’re always going to get plaque on your teeth, and it’s up to you to keep your teeth brushed or you will develop problems from the build up.
Cracking With Pain:
When a patient reports their jaw cracks loudly when opened wide followed by immediate pain, there is likely a misalignment in the TMJ (jaw joint) and a significant imbalance in the muscle strength. This is a common presentation for someone’s first chiropractic visit. These are cases I immediately tackle from many directions. I incorporate a series of adjustments and deep tissue massage sessions to reduce and stabilize the misalignments, prescribe stretches and exercises (I will describe later) that focus on balancing the muscle tone in the jaw and neck, and supplements to reduce inflammation and boost joint health. I also suggest co-managing with a dentist, as severe muscle imbalance may be due to a tooth cavity or other dental concern. If this is a symptom you experience, consider visiting your dentist and incorporating chiropractic care into your health routine.
Same-side Jaw Pain with Headache and/or Facial Pain:
If the patient presents with one-sided pain in the jaw, face and a headache in the temple or back of the head, my first instinct is to inspect for a sinus infection. If this is the case, I do everything I can to facilitate the motion of the clogged fluid-massage therapy, acupressure, and adjustments to the neck and ears. I always discuss the benefits of treatment from their primary care physician to eliminate the infection. When you experience symptoms like these, home care options can include increasing fluids, using a Neti pot, and warm compresses on the face until you can reach your doctors for more detailed advice and care instructions. If this is an on-going or recurrent problem, I explore removing inflammatory foods from the diet and incorporating immune boosting supplements.
Opposite side Jaw Pain With Headache and/or Facial Pain:
When the pain involves left sided jaw pain with a right sided headache, or the opposite, or it seems to change all the time, misalignments in the jaw and neck are likely a culprit. However, this is the time I explore other issues that may be occurring such as teeth clenching or grinding. Most people who deal with these issues are unaware of the problem! I appreciate co-managing with a dentist in these cases, they are the best-suited professionals to prescribe the correct night guard or other brace in order to tackle the grinding. My treatments include trigger point and deep tissue massage work with regular adjustments to insure proper joint motion is maintained. These patients typically greatly benefit
from joint support supplements.