Overview
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the joint responsible for controlling our jaw movements. A restricted, stiff or dysfunctional TMJ can be painful and annoying to deal with, and may even be responsible for headaches.
How can the jaw cause headaches?
Constantly clenching our jaw or grinding our teeth is one common way that a headache can form. When we clench our jaw, our temporal muscles (the muscles on the sides of our foreheads) contract and tighten. It is not uncommon for a hypertonic temporal muscle to cause referred or local pain, leading to a headache. Local muscles around the jaw also tighten when we clench our jaw – some of the related muscles include the SCM, pterygoids and masseter. These can cause pain to spread into the cheeks and even into the head.
Due to the nature of tight muscles potentially causing headaches, there is certainly the possibility of a cervicogenic headache overlapping with a TMJ headache.
How can North Adelaide Chiropractic help?
Chiropractic can help with jaw issues and jaw related headaches. Mobilising the TMJ and the surrounding cervical spine facet joints can help to reduce inflammation and stiffness in the area. Manual muscle therapies – such as trigger point release – can also help with hypertonic muscles affected by TMJ related issues. Similarly, if the cause of the headache is cervicogenic, adjustments and soft tissue therapies can be great ways to reduce pain.
At North Adelaide Chiropractic, we also aim to prevent the symptoms from recurring. We will look at potential causes of your jaw pain and headaches, and provide the required advice and home exercises to help you stay pain-free.
If you want to receive high quality treatment for your TMJ or cervicogenic headaches, give us a call today on 8361 8182. We are located in the heart of North Adelaide, near to Prospect, Thebarton, Bowden, Brompton, Walkerville, Ferryden Park and the Adelaide CBD.