TMJ, Bruxism and Headaches
Do you clench your jaw?
Or grind your teeth?
Are regular headaches part of your life?
How does it feel?
Tension headaches are a common type of headache characterized by a mild to moderate band-like pain or pressure around the head. They can develop for various reasons:
- Muscle Contractions: Tension headaches are often associated with muscle tension in the head and neck. This muscle tension can result from activities such as poor posture, prolonged periods of stress, or clenching of the jaw.
- Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress and anxiety are common triggers for tension headaches. When you’re stressed, your muscles may contract, leading to tension in the head and neck muscles.
- Poor Posture: Sitting or standing in one position for an extended period with poor posture can contribute to muscle tension in the neck and head, triggering tension headaches.
- Eyestrain: Prolonged use of digital devices, reading for long periods, or other activities that strain the eyes can contribute to tension headaches.
These are the symptoms a pill will not fix long-term!
What about the epidemic of TMJ and Bruxism?
The TMJ is the joint that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. It plays a crucial role in activities like talking, chewing, and yawning. TMJ disorders can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.
How does it feel?
- Jaw Pain: This pain may be felt on one or both sides of the face and may worsen with jaw movement, such as chewing or yawning.
- Facial Pain: Discomfort or pain may extend to the areas around the jaw joint, including the cheeks, ears, temples, and even the neck and shoulders.
- Jaw Clicking or Popping: clicking, popping, or grating, when you move your jaw. These sounds can occur during activities like chewing or opening the mouth.
- Limited Jaw Movement: TMD can lead to limitations in the range of motion of the jaw. You may have difficulty fully opening your mouth or may experience a sensation of the jaw getting stuck.
- Headaches: The pain may radiate from the jaw to other areas of the head.
- Ear Symptoms: TMD can cause symptoms that mimic ear problems, such as ear pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears.
- Pain While Chewing: Discomfort or pain may be particularly noticeable during or after eating.
Multi-Dimensional approach at A&O:
At Aga&O Clinic we work with you to address the underlying causes of your symptoms and help improve muscle function.
What is our approach?
- Education and Self-Management:
- We provide education on TMD, explaining the factors contributing to your symptoms and ways to manage them.
- We teach you exercises and techniques for self-management, including jaw and neck exercises, relaxation techniques, and posture correction.
- Manual Therapy:
- Hands-on techniques, such as massage and manual manipulation, may be used to alleviate muscle tension and improve jaw joint mobility.
- Muscle Stretching and Strengthening:
- Specific exercises can be prescribed to stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak muscles in the jaw and neck.
- Strengthening exercises may focus on the muscles that control jaw, neck and head movement and help stabilize your joints.
- Posture Correction:
- Addressing posture issues, especially in the neck and upper back.
Try Your First Session for only £45 (usually £67)
First, come and see us for a TMJ Specialist Consultation and First Session during which you will;
- Meet our Physio who will listen to your story, and will try to get to the bottom of your problem
- Have basic tests to determine the source of your pain
- Have a 30 min treatment for an instant pain relief
- Have a full Specialised Therapy Plan recommended for you, to offer you a long-term solution which will help you get your life back with no painkillers and full comfort
Clinic Update
Due to long waiting lists on the NHS, physio demand in Glasgow is exceptionally high.
Our appointments are limited due to the severe demand, please contact us as soon as possible.
Meet the team
Physio Team
