Imagine having a persistent ache in your jaw that just won’t go away. Over time, this pain becomes so ingrained in your nervous system that your entire face starts to feel hypersensitive. Even light touches or normal facial movements might trigger severe discomfort, making daily activities a constant struggle.
This hypersensitivity doesn’t stay confined to your jaw. It spreads to other areas of your face, affecting regions controlled by different cranial nerves. So, you might start feeling pain in your cheeks, forehead, or even around your eyes, making it feel like your entire face is under siege.
The pain from your jaw can be tricky because it’s not just limited to the jaw area. Due to the interconnected nature of the cranial and cervical nerves, you might feel pain in unexpected places like your ears, eyes, neck, and shoulders. It’s like a chain reaction where one problem area causes discomfort in multiple other areas.
Because the pain can show up in various parts of your face and neck, it can be really challenging to pinpoint exactly where the pain is coming from.
This makes diagnosing the root cause difficult, often requiring thorough and comprehensive holistic treatments that combine the expertise of our TMJ Dentist and our skilled TMJ chiropractor. If you suffer from TMJ/TMD, Dr. Shah can provide a comprehensive treatment plan including orthotics (bite plates), trigger point therapy, and laser therapy.
How TMJ is Connected to Trigeminal Nerve / Facial Neural Pathways
Facial neural pathways, including the trigeminal nerve, carry signals between the face and brain, enabling sensations like touch, pain, and temperature, and controlling movements such as smiling and chewing. When these pathways are disrupted, it can result in pain, numbness, or muscle issues in the face. The jaw joints (TMJs) provide a lot of input to the brain, in other words the brain pays a lot of attention to the jaw joints. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for the sensation from the entire head and face, including the sinuses, teeth, palate and nose to the brain. When prolonged disruption in the jaw joints occurs the entire trigeminal nerve can be sensitised and this can cause pain in areas away from the jaw joints.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) pain can cause referred pain to other areas such as the ear, head, and sinuses. Pain can also be referred to the jaw from the head and neck muscles, ears, teeth, and sinuses. However, TMJ pain does not cause trigeminal neuralgia or any other neuralgia, as these are completely different types of pain.
Effective Holistic Treatments at TMJ Centre Melbourne to Manage The Pain
At TMJ Centre Melbourne, we offer holistic treatments that leverage the combined expertise of our TMJ Dentist, Dr. Shah, and our skilled TMJ chiropractor to effectively manage TMJ-related neuralgia and facial pain.
Dr. Shah provides comprehensive treatment plans for TMJ/TMD, which include orthotics (bite plates), trigger point therapy, laser therapy and where required muscle relaxant injections. These treatments aim to address the root causes of TMJ disorders and alleviate associated symptoms.
Our TMJ chiropractor enhances these treatments with gentle, non-invasive adjustments to the body and cranium. These adjustments are performed without cracking, rapid rotations, or high-velocity thrusts, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for our patients.
Take Control of Your TMJ-Related Facial Pain Today
Are you tired of living with TMJ-related facial pain? Consult our expert team at TMJ Centre Melbourne today and explore your personalised treatment options.
Our TMJ Dentist, Dr. Shah, and our skilled TMJ chiropractor specialise in addressing the root causes of TMJ disorders and migraines. Through comprehensive and holistic treatments, we not only alleviate pain but also enhance your overall well-being, helping you lead a healthier, more comfortable life.
Don’t let TMJ-related pain control your life any longer. Contact us now to book your consultation and take the first step toward lasting relief and a pain-free future!
