Easing TMJ Pain with Acupuncture
Nov 14, 2024
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Easing TMJ Pain with Acupuncture
Anxiety and stress can affect our bodies in many ways. In Chinese medicine, the mind is guided by the spirit (heart) and the heart houses the mind. When one’s spirit is unsettled, the mind also becomes unsettled, triggering a stress response in the body. This often shows up as tension in the neck, head, and jaw. In severe cases, it can lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), commonly referred to as TMJ, which causes facial pain, headaches, and restricted range of motion in the jaw and neck. Studies show that stress and anxiety can significantly worsen these symptoms, reinforcing the connection between emotional and physical health.
What are the symptoms of TMJD?
- Pain or tenderness around the face, especially the jaw
- Neck pain, headache near the temples
- Painful clicking, popping, or grating when opening or closing the mouth
- Limited movement or locking of the jaw
- Difficulty chewing or opening one's mouth
- Tooth pain
Various factors contribute to TMJD, including genetics, misaligned teeth, jaw injury or trauma, arthritis, and chronic teeth clenching or grinding. High stress, poor posture, habits like frequent gum chewing, eating hard or chewy foods, and inadequate hydration can also worsen TMJD symptoms. Additionally, hormonal changes and low vitamin D levels have been linked to an increased risk of TMJD in both women and men.
How does acupuncture help?
Acupuncture treatments help relieve pain and discomfort by improving the function of the muscles that open and close the jaw, reducing inflammation, and promoting relaxation. By releasing facial acupuncture points on the muscles affected, acupuncture can also increase the range of motion in and around the temporomandibular joint.
The main muscles in dysfunction are the masseter, pterygoid, temporalis, and trapezius.
A key benefit of acupuncture is its ability to facilitate the release of neuropeptides in the central nervous system, which can produce significant physiological effects and activate the body's self-healing mechanisms. Acupuncture and acupressure points are carefully chosen along meridians, or energy pathways, to restore balance and address discomfort. Symptoms commonly associated with TMJD, such as neck pain and headaches, can also be treated through this approach.
What can I do on my own to support healing?
These at-home practices are encouraged alongside treatment:
- While working or reading, help your jaw relax by placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
- If your TMJD is chronic, consider wearing a mouth guard, sometimes called a night guard, while sleeping.
- Try mindfulness practices such as yoga, qi gong, tai chi, meditation, or even a simple body scan to help increase awareness of physical holding patterns, allowing one to breathe into areas of tension and release them.
Adding these practices can support the healing effects of treatment, making it easier to reach your wellness goals.
At Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy, we recommend a series of treatments until significant results are achieved. The number of treatments varies depending on underlying factors and the severity of the condition. If you or a loved one are experiencing TMJD, contact our office at 973-910-1441 to schedule an evaluation.
About the Author
Christine Marcarian, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist, massage therapist, and herbalist at Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. She earned a Master of Science in Acupuncture in 2008 and a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2010 from the Tristate College of Acupuncture in New York, NY. Early in her career Christine worked in hospital settings and private orthopedic practices. She is certified in Sports Medical Acupuncture, giving her the tools to properly assess, diagnose, and treat various orthopedic injuries and chronic pain. As a certified MELT practitioner, Christine incorporates myofascial release into her acupuncture and massage treatments. She is also certified in oncology acupuncture.