One Less Headache to Worry About

Jaw and head pain can be a real pain in the neck—literally. Did you know that many people suffering from both temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and headaches have postural issues with their cervical spine or neck? This is why we can be an important ally in combating persistent headaches and TMD-related facial pain.

According to the International Headache Society, headaches fall into two categories: primary, which have a single cause, such as migraine, tension or cluster headaches, and secondary, which often have musculoskeletal causes, such as disorders of the jaw and neck. TMD is one of these disorders, and a common cause for chronic headaches.

When the muscles in the jaw, face and neck abnormally function due to improper alignment of the spine, bad posture or tension, they can create myofascial trigger points. These trigger points refer pain to the head. In other words, you may experience severe headaches even though the problem is really somewhere else in your body.

After a thorough examination, we can design a program to address the root cause of your myofascial pain. This might include

  • improving your posture, especially when you are at work or on the computer
  • finding better ways to move
  • strengthening and stretching the involved musculature

We are trained to release myofascial trigger points, as well as in strengthening muscles in the back, neck and face. These and other pain management techniques can help treat both headaches and TMD.

Just because you’ve ruled out cranial causes for your recurrent headaches doesn’t mean that you need to learn to live with them. We will be happy to develop a plan you can stick to. Talk to us today and schedule an appointment to see how we can help you conquer your head and jaw pain once and for all.