What TMJ problems are
The temporomandibular joints sit just in front of each ear and work every time you talk, chew or swallow. TMJ disorders, often shortened to TMD, cover pain in the joint itself, pain in the chewing muscles, clicking or popping, a jaw that deviates as it opens, and a sense of the jaw catching or locking. Many people also notice temple headaches, ear fullness, neck stiffness or tooth sensitivity. Your dentist and physician lead on diagnosis, night guards and any imaging, and most cases are managed without surgery.
The muscles that clench
Most jaw pain lives in the muscles more than the joint. The masseter at the angle of the jaw and the temporalis across the temple close the mouth; the deep pterygoids, inside the jaw, steer it side to side; the digastric under the chin helps open it. Night clenching or daytime bracing can keep the closers working for hours, and their trigger points refer pain to the teeth, the ear and the temple. The neck joins in every case: a forward head changes where the jaw rests and how hard the closing muscles have to work. Stress and poor sleep are frequent passengers.
How we work with it
Dry needling and orthopedic acupuncture of the masseter, temporalis and pterygoids, which the needle reaches more directly than a hand can, together with the neck muscles and segments that feed the problem. Active Release Techniques for the neck and the floor of the mouth where it fits, electro-acupuncture for a muscle that will not let go, and classical acupuncture and distal Master Tung's points to settle the pattern behind the clenching. Herbs are added when the pattern calls for them. See also headaches.
We measure how wide you can open, note clicking and morning soreness, and compare them each visit.
Questions people ask
Can acupuncture help TMJ pain?
Needling the chewing muscles and the neck is a common approach to jaw pain and clenching, and acupuncture has been studied for jaw pain with research ongoing. We work alongside your dentist, especially if you use a night guard.
Do the needles go in my face?
Some do, into the chewing muscles at the cheek and temple, with fine needles and a light hand. Others go in the neck and in distal points on the hands and feet, which many people find the most relaxing part.
Should I keep wearing my night guard?
Yes. A night guard protects your teeth and is your dentist's call. Our work is aimed at the muscles and the clenching habit, and it fits alongside the guard.
Can jaw pain be a sign of something serious?
Jaw pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating, especially on exertion, can come from the heart. Call 911. A jaw stuck open, or swelling with fever, needs prompt medical or dental care.
This is general wellness information, not medical advice.
