Acupuncture for TMJ and jaw pain

What TMJ is

TMJ is the common name for temporomandibular disorders, problems with the jaw joint and the muscles that move it. The temporomandibular joint sits just in front of each ear, where the jaw meets the skull.

TMJ can cause mild to severe jaw pain. You may also notice clicking or popping, a jaw that feels tight or tired, trouble opening wide, earaches or headaches. Common causes include clenching or grinding the teeth, a bite that does not line up well, and stress, which often shows up as a clenched jaw.

TMJ can be a short-term flare during a stressful time. It can also be a lingering, long-term problem. Many people with TMJ also have tight neck and shoulder muscles, frequent headaches or poor sleep, and these can feed into one another.

How Robert treats TMJ

Robert is a certified practitioner of Toyohari, a Japanese style of meridian therapy. He trained in Japan in 2006 and 2007. Each visit starts with careful pulse reading. Then he gives a gentle whole-body treatment with very fine needles and light contact. Many patients barely feel it.

For TMJ, Robert also places a few fine needles around the jaw joint. The aim is to release tension in the jaw muscles and ease pain and inflammation. Because the jaw, neck and shoulders work together, he often treats tight neck and shoulder muscles too.

Stress and clenching often go together, so the calming, whole-body part of the treatment matters as much as the local work. Many patients find the sessions deeply relaxing. If stress is a big part of the picture, Robert may suggest a flower essence or herbal formula. He sees one patient at a time, so the room stays quiet.

What a course of treatment looks like

Your first visit takes about 75 minutes. Robert asks about your health history, when the jaw pain started, and your sleep, stress and dental care. Then he reads your pulse and gives your first treatment. Return visits take about 45 minutes.

A typical course is 5 to 15 weekly sessions. A flare during a stressful stretch may settle in fewer visits. Clenching or grinding that has gone on for years often takes longer. Some patients notice their jaw feels looser after the first treatment. For others, the change builds over several sessions. Robert checks your progress as you go.

Simple habits can help between visits. Many people find it useful to notice when they clench during the day, rest the jaw with the teeth slightly apart, choose softer foods during a flare and skip chewing gum. Your dentist may also suggest a night guard.

When to see a doctor or dentist first

Get emergency care right away if jaw pain comes with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, or pain in the arm. Jaw pain can be a sign of a heart problem.

See a doctor or dentist before starting acupuncture if:

• You have tooth pain, a cracked tooth or a change in your bite
• Your jaw is locked open or shut
• The pain began after a fall or a blow to the face
• There is swelling, fever or a bad taste in your mouth
• You are over 50 and have jaw pain when chewing along with a new headache, scalp tenderness or vision changes

Related conditions

Jaw pain often overlaps with headaches and migraines, neck and shoulder pain and stress and relaxation.