Jaw/Headaches/Migraines
Jaw Pain Treatment
Osteopathic practitioners have many tools to offer those who seek jaw pain treatment and/or headaches and migraine treatment often with neck pain. This unhappy triad causes debilitating symptoms. Jaw dysfunction, soreness in the neck and headaches loop together perpetuating the pain cycle.
Osteopathy Is Extremely Effective At Helping Those Who Need Jaw Pain Treatment
The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) attaches your jaw to the bottom of your skull—more specifically to your temporal bones. Muscles around the TMJ allow you to open and close your mouth. Ligaments connecting the bones and a disc situated between the bones offer stability. On opening and closing your mouth, you may notice that your jaw deviates from midline. Ligamentous tension, muscle imbalance and poor positioning of the disc cause this deviation. The TMJ can become stuck in an open or closed mouth position. Osteopathy is extremely effective at helping those who need jaw pain treatment.
TMJ Symptoms:
TMJ muscle pain and stiffness
headaches - migraine and tension
earaches and pressure in the ears
tinnitus
pain on chewing
teeth grinding and clenching
pain in the face or neck
a change in how your teeth fit together
clicking or locking
sinus congestion and airway issues
Client Testimonial
“ I suffered from major sinus headaches for years. Craniosacral therapy has been the only treatment that has worked for my sinus problems. I’m so grateful.”
-Kelly J.
Troublesome Trigeminal:
All pain in the face and head affects the trigeminal nerve which is intricately connected with the upper neck vertebrae C1-C3. The trigeminal nerve supplies jaw muscles responsible for chewing, mouth opening, swallowing, and muscles affecting the eardrum. One branch supplies most of the sensitive nerve membranes that cover your brain, collectively known as the dura. Upon receiving pain information, your trigeminal nerve sends information to arouse your Reticular Alarm System near the base of your brain. When we experience pain or fear, we are hard-wired to respond by tightening our jaw muscles, arousing the reticular system in preparation for fight or flight. This response can be created by physical pain, but also by perceived danger, fear, or even the threat of pain. In the face of ongoing stress or unresolved trauma, our jaw muscles clench constantly - bombarding our sympathetic nervous system and perpetuating TMJ dysfunction. For sufferers searching for migraine prevention, jaw pain treatment and headache and migraine treatment, Osteopathy has outstanding techniques. (See: How can Osteopathy help with chronic pain…)
Headache/Migraines Treatment The Osteopathic Way:
We evaluate your posture and spinal curves. If your posture is not balanced, your head can be held in a forward position causing the muscles in the front of your neck to overwork. After whiplash, the normal curve in your neck can be compromised transferring more tension to your head, neck and jaw. Postural advice and exercises may be given.
Structural techniques address joint restrictions and soft tissue tension in the entire spine, especially the upper neck. (see: OMT)
Craniosacral techniques release tension in the dural membranes surrounding the brain and help reestablish a normal cranial rhythm in the cranial bones. A healthy circulation of blood and cerebrospinal fluids around the brain and spinal cord allows for efficient information processing via the glia cells, and detoxification of waste products through the lymphatics. (see: Craniosacral Therapy)
Techniques to calm hyperactivity in the trigeminal nerve and the reticular activating system in the brain due to stress. Release of visceral tensions can improve posture and pressure balance. (see: Visceral Manipulation)
Client Testimonial
“ I had been plagued with migraine headaches for 15 years. After 6 sessions I never suffered from another migraine again. I have been employed as an industrial mechanic for the last 40 years and I would never have made it in this trade without her various healing treatments.”
-John S.
Jaw Pain Treatment The Osteopathic Way
This features all that is highlighted above under headaches and migraine prevention.
In addition, we evaluate your jaw mobility and symmetry. Soft tissue techniques release muscles and ligaments of your jaw, both inside and outside of your mouth, calming the trigeminal nerve. (see: OMT)
Cranial techniques mobilize the bones of the roof of your mouth and realign your jaw. (see: Craniosacral Therapy)
Visceral techniques mobilise fascial tensions commonly associated with jaw issues e.g. stomach and esophagus. (see: Visceral Manipulation)
Orthodontic treatment:
Certain patterns of cranial bone misalignment, identified on imaging, are implicated in overbites, underbites and crossbites. Your airway can be obstructed altering neck posture. Osteopathic treatment works exceedingly well with orthodontia as it expedites the movement of the bones to which the teeth are attached. Conversely, in clients whose TMJ has difficulty maintaining alignment, an orthodontic consultation may be recommended to address bite issues.
Client Testimonial
“ When my jaw is off I feel like the jam-jar lid is being twisted on the wrong thread! ….As she releases tight spots in my abdomen I feel my head becoming more centered and my neck releasing. She works inside my mouth at tight ligaments and muscles. Her cranial work is excellent.”
-Betty B.