“When I first started to see Pauline I was experiencing almost daily headaches which were coming from my jaw. Strangely I thought that was normal! However after working with Pauline for 3 months or so I only get headaches about once every 4 to 6 weeks and they are nowhere near as strong as they were. I continue to see Pauline for maintenance and employ self-care techniques as I have discovered a wonderful new norm. Forever grateful.” Carolyn W
There are many causes of headaches from dehydration to hormone imbalance to poor posture and temporal mandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) or more simply jaw issues. Your jaw moves from side to side, in and out and up and down making it one of the most flexible in the body. It allows us to eat, drink, talk, laugh and smile making it also one of our important joints. When we grind our teeth or clench our jaw it puts this joint and the surrounding muscles under pressure. We may not even be aware that we are doing it. In fact many clients who visit for headache management don’t realise this is something they do until their attention is drawn to it.
You see when the muscles supporting your jaw become tense your temples, the sides of your jaw and the area under your eyes can all begin to ache. You may also experience earaches and notice a tight neck particularly at the base of your skull. These are all signs your TMJ may not be happy.
So what can you do to reduce teeth grinding and jaw clenching and any associated headaches? Often grinding and the clenching is due to stress so employing stress management techniques when you notice your level getting higher is a good idea. This might include simply breathwork; writing about or discussing the cause of your stress; meditation; exercise.
One great remedy is regular massage. Regular massage will assist to alleviate the symptoms and reduce both the intensity and the occurrence of TMJ related headaches whilst having a beneficial impact on stress levels.
For over 20 years I have worked with alot of people who experience regular headaches and these clients have seen a great improvement. For TMJ specific headaches, my treatment incorporates remedial massage, the RESET® technique and some self-care suggestions. Would you like to know more or book a treatment? Visit https://onebodyonesoul.com.au
PS: If headache symptoms persist for days or are cause for concern it would be prudent to visit your GP to ascertain the reason.