You may not realize it but your jaw could be causing the headaches that you are getting with increasing frequency, also known as TMJ headaches.
It’s a mouthful, but the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are the two joints connecting your lower jaw to your skull. It allows you to chew, laugh and talk. It is one of the most active parts of your body, the masseter muscle.
What are TMJ Headaches?
According to Heathline, “TMJ Headaches happen when the muscles in your jaw tense up — like when you grind your teeth — the pain can spread to other TMJ muscles alongside your cheeks and on the sides and top of your head, causing a headache.”
These headaches and associated pains are referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Causes Of TMJ Headaches
Clicking in the jaw is not a cause but rather a symptom of TMJ headaches but given what the TMJ does one might think so. Another common cause is a traumatic injury. Additional common causes can include recent dental work, things like food sensitivity, and believe it or not COVID-19.
The pandemic and its associated symptoms didn’t directly cause it. There was however a rise in TMD related issues due to the stresses created by the pandemic, such as:
Increased isolation at home
Using computers more frequently for work and pleasure
Incorrect or poor posture as a result if sitting at a desk or in front of a screen
TMJ Headache Relief
As important as it is to discuss why TMJ headaches happen, more important is the ways in which we can offer treatment options and remedies.
While surgical treatments are more extreme, Remedies include simple adjustments to some of the symptoms mentioned above, including jaw clicking and things like teeth grinding. Medication helps as well with things like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen all being used to treat TMD-related disorders.
Massage and Acupressure is a great way to help with TMD. Practitioners will begin by touching the muscle to relax it. As Health Essentials tells us, they then firmly press a thumb or finger into the tissue to identify and apply intense pressure to any trigger points. The kneading helps to unravel the ropey muscle fibers and bring TMJ headache relief.
The massage therapists at Easy Cozy Wellness in Nanaimo, BC, are experienced in providing relief from TMJ headaches. Call Easy Cozy Wellness today to book your appointment.
