How to Cure TMJ Headaches

Tension in your jaw joint can lead to painful headaches.

If you suffer with temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMJ disorder, you may also be afflicted with TMJ headaches. TMJ headaches are caused by the tension at the temporomandibular joint to your jaw, which can transfer tension and pain out to your temples, shoulders, and neck.

Instructions

1. Verify your TMJ diagnosis. While TMJ is a common ailment, people are occasionally misdiagnosed and you want to make sure that when you treat yourself for TMJ headaches you are actually treating TMJ headaches and not another chronic condition such as a migraine disorder. Talk to your doctor or dentist about whether you display any other signs of TMJ. Common symptoms of TMJ include clicking of the jaw, wear on the teeth, and tension in the neck and shoulders.

2. Address the root of your TMJ headaches. There are a variety of common treatments for TMJ. If your TMJ headaches are your only symptoms of your TMJ disorder, relieve the tension that causes your TMJ headaches in the first place. You may be able to cure your TMJ headaches with something as simple as a rearrangement of your posture. Posture that places stress on the jaw joint may exacerbate or even cause your TMJ headaches. Deep-tissue, trigger-point massage can address chronic TMJ in some cases.

3. Use a mouth guard at night. A common cause of TMJ disorder is the grinding of teeth during the night. By having a mouth or bite guard fitted to your mouth, you will be able to curb your teeth grinding and avoid future TMJ headaches.

References

• National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus: TMJ Disorders
• Frequent Headaches: TMJ Headaches – How Your Jaws and Teeth Can Be Causing Painful Headaches