Why you need to see a physical therapist if you have jaw pain and a headache

An inability to chew your food without pain. Pain that keeps you from sleeping at night. Headaches that occur frequently. All these symptoms are associated with a condition called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. 

TMJ dysfunction is one of the most common orofacial issues people experience; research shows that it affects up to 12% of the world’s population. Most people may go to the dentist when faced with jaw pain, but a physical therapist can also help treat the jaw pain and headaches that come with TMJ dysfunction. 

Three reasons to see a physical therapist for jaw pain and headaches

Generally, TMJ dysfunction isn’t a cavity or another tooth problem. It’s most likely an issue with either the jaw joint itself or the soft tissue that supports and moves it. Problems with these structures can easily lead to pain in and around the jaw joint. This pain can also cause tensing in the neck and shoulder muscles, which can trigger frequent headaches. 

Physical therapists can help you deal with both the symptoms and root causes of TMJ dysfunction. They’ll perform an evaluation of your neck and jaw to determine which area is causing your symptoms. Then, your physical therapist will create an individualized therapy plan for you that can: 

1. Reduce resting jaw pain — Many people with TMJ dysfunction don’t just feel pain when moving their jaw. They feel it when their jaw is at rest, too. Dry needling is a therapy technique that can help decrease resting jaw pain. One medical study reports that this technique reduced resting jaw pain by 68% during the treatment period. 

2. Decrease pain while chewing — It’s typically harder to eat when you have TMJ dysfunction. This is the result of the pain that chewing or other movements of the jaw joint can cause. Dry needling therapy has also been shown to help reduce chewing-related jaw pain. Medical researchers reveal that this therapy method led to a 69% decrease in chewing-related jaw pain. 

3. Reduce headache frequency — Physical therapists can also help reduce the frequency of headaches related to TMJ dysfunction. Manual therapy is especially effective at this. It involves your physical therapist using their hands to move and manipulate the neck and jaw. This method can also help mobilize the soft tissue around the affected joint. A study of manual therapy for TMJ dysfunction shows that just six sessions of manual therapy helped reduce headache frequency from two per week to zero. 

Find help with jaw pain and headaches at Advent Physical Therapy

At Advent Physical Therapy, our team is highly experienced at treating jaw pain and headaches from TMJ dysfunction. Our physical therapists offer complimentary screenings that can pinpoint the source of your jaw issues. We’re also adept at building personalized therapy plans intended to reduce pain and headache frequency. 

Is your jaw pain keeping you stuck at home? That’s OK! With virtual therapy and at-home care sessions, our team can still help you get the beneficial therapy you need. Our team can even help you if you don’t have a referral from your doctor or dentist. 

Contact our team today for more information about our TMJ dysfunction treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment.