Headaches are a common symptom of TMJ dysfunction.
Most of us experience headaches from time to time, but if you experience headaches often, you’ll know that the issue can be debilitating. Headaches can be caused by a number of factors and there is a strong link between chronic headaches and TMJ dysfunction. In fact, over half of headache sufferers have TMJ-related issues, while individuals who suffer from chronic migraines are four times as likely to have TMJ. Let us tell you how does TMJ cause headaches and what is the treatment for it.
If you suffer from persistent headaches, there is a chance that they might be caused by issues related to your jaw. Read on to find out how TMJ causes headaches, what your treatment options are, and how we may be able to help alleviate your pain and discomfort…
Why does TMJ cause headaches?
TMJ causes headaches for a number of reasons. In many cases, muscle fatigue caused by clenching and grinding makes one more prone to tension headaches, as well as migraines. TMJ also causes inflammation, which can lead to postural changes and fatigue of the neck and shoulders — referred pain can then affect the head and face. When TMJ is treated, many people find that they experience relief from headaches.
Another issue that is sometimes found to be the underlying cause of persistent headaches is a misaligned jaw. When the jaw is misaligned, it can cause a forward head posture, which places strain on the neck and shoulder. This strain can lead to neck pain, as well as head pain.
What are the treatment options for headaches?
There are a number of treatment options when it comes to resolving TMJ, and in many cases, a combination of treatments may be recommended. Treatment options include:
- Orthotics, which help to relax the muscles and maintain ideal joint function
- Low-level laser therapy
- Trigger point therapy
- Prolotherapy
- Treatment of breathing dysfunction.
Muscle relaxant injections are also often an effective treatment option for TMJ, headaches and migraines. Muscle relaxant injections are administered with very fine needles into the muscles that are causing pain and discomfort. Although every patient is different, many individuals feel the effects of the treatment as soon as the day following treatment. The benefits of muscle relaxant injections typically last between three and four months.
How can we help?
If you are suffering from chronic headaches, we recommend that you come in for a consultation. At TMJ Centre Melbourne, we take a holistic approach to headache treatment. In some cases, there can be multiple causes of your headaches, which may need to be treated simultaneously.
We offer a number of treatment options, including orthotics, trigger point therapy, laser therapy and chiropractic adjustments. We also offer muscle relaxant injections, which can be very helpful in resolving grinding, clenching, jaw pain, headaches and migraines. To find out more about muscle relaxant injections and what the treatment involves, please have a look here.
If you would like to make an appointment to see us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team includes our TMJ dentist and a chiropractor who works together to resolve chronic pain with a range of treatment options. Each treatment plan is customised for the individual patient and we recommend that you arrange a consultation if you are suffering from any pain or discomfort. To find out more about our team, please have a look here. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice.