TMJ & Jaw Pain Treatment – Warwick and Leamington Spa
Jaw pain is sometimes referred to as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, because of the joint(s) affected. The temporomandibular joints can be found just in front of your ears, where the jaw hinges on your skull. Pain is usually experienced in this area, around the cheeks and jaw and even into the ears.
Your jaw may click when you open or close your mouth and can feel ‘stuck’ or restricted. People with jaw pain may also experience headaches and tinnitus.
What Causes Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain can be caused or made worse by:
- Clenching or grinding your teeth
- ‘Wear and tear’ of the TMJ joint due to osteoarthritis
- Stress-related tension
- Injury or impact to the face or jaw
- Uneven bite due to poorly-filled teeth, crowns or dentures
- Hypermobility
- Sometimes the cause is unknown
How can Osteopathy Help with Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain is usually due to restriction or hypermobility of one or both TMJ joints. An osteopath will aim to restore the best possible function to the area by treating the complex system of muscles, joints and fascia of the jaw, head and neck.
Treatment may include gentle massage and mobilisation of the neck, upper back and facial muscles. We would also advise on exercises to do at home. When people’s headaches and tinnitus are linked to their jaw pain, osteopathic treatment can also help relieve these symptoms. Read more about osteopathic treatment.
In some instances, where grinding is an issue, we may also recommend talking to your dentist about getting a mouth guard fitted to wear at night.