Jaw pain is a common issue that can range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating, impacting daily life in significant ways. Understanding the causes of jaw pain and exploring effective treatments is essential for finding relief. Below, we’ll dive into the various causes of jaw pain and explore actionable solutions, highlighting how Releaseology can make a difference.
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Common Causes of Jaw Pain
Low back pain symptoms can vary widely depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include:
Stress and Clenching: Stress often manifests physically, leading to clenching or grinding of teeth (bruxism). This habit exerts undue pressure on the jaw muscles, causing pain and tension.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction: Issues with the jaw joint—such as misalignment, wear-and-tear, or inflammation—can lead to jaw pain, popping sensations, and restricted movement.
Jaw Clenching or Teeth Grinding: is a sign of overusing your jaw and will ultimately result in jaw pain
Sinus Infections: Jaw pain can be a symptom of sinus infections, particularly when the maxillary sinuses, located near the cheeks, become inflamed.
Muscle Compensations: Often times the jaw is overcompensating for weakness in your core, neck, back or pelvic floor. A level 3 Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) practitioner will be able to assess this
Pregnancy-Related Changes: Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can loosen ligaments, including those around the jaw joint, leading to pain and discomfort.
Cold Weather Sensitivity: Exposure to cold temperatures can trigger jaw pain in some individuals, especially if the muscles and nerves in the area are already tense or inflamed.
Autoimmune Conditions: Conditions such as lupus can cause inflammation in the jaw joint, contributing to persistent or intermittent pain.
Nerve Damage: Injuries or conditions affecting the facial and trigeminal nerves can lead to sharp, shooting jaw pain.
Jaw Pain Symptoms to Watch For
Understanding the cause of your low back pain is crucial for effective treatment. Here are some of culprits:
Jaw pain that comes and goes
Facial pain or pressure
Jaw pain causing headaches
Difficulty or discomfort when yawning
Popping or clicking sounds from the jaw joint
Pain radiating to both sides of the jaw
Effective Treatment for Jaw Pain
Please note these are general guides to discuss with a clinician familiar with your care.
Manual Therapy - Hands-on techniques, such as myofascial release, can relieve tension and improve jaw mobility. This approach is particularly effective for TMJ dysfunction.
Cupping - cupping is super effective at pulling those tight jaw muscles away from the skull to provide relief that it usually does not get. I really prefer using the plastic cups for the way that the suction. Here are two sets that I use: set 1 and set 2
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Dry Needling - although not super pleasant, the insertion of the needle helps to break up tight tissue and signal healing factors
Stress Management - Incorporate relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, or biofeedback, to reduce clenching and stress-related jaw pain. Check out www.releaseology.com/vagus for free ways to help improve your vagus nerve signal and ultimately relax
Address Underlying Health Issues: Treating sinus infections, managing autoimmune conditions, or addressing hormonal changes can reduce jaw pain at its source.
Cold or Warm Therapy: Alternating cold and warm compresses can help alleviate inflammation and relax tense muscles. My favorite brands for moist heating pads are Thermophore and Thermipaq. Thermipaq can also be used as cold pack or purchase a cold massager to roll over the symptomatic area
Lifestyle Adjustments: Using a mouthguard to prevent clenching or grinding, maintaining good posture, and avoiding chewy foods can all contribute to relief.
Muscle Activations are the premise of Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) treatment. See an NKT specialist in your area to assess which muscles need to be activated. If a muscle is not working at it's best, other muscles MUST compensate. However, as miraculous as the brain is, it doesn't know that it is causing undue pain.
Topical Magnesium: our muscles use magnesium to contract and relax so using it topically can decrease muscle tightness (without upsetting your stomach). My favorite is Trace Minerals products, their Magnesium Lotion has been out of stock recently, as I think they're switching to this spray. You can get 20% off with my Fullscript link, you just need to sign-up for an account but can continue to use this indefinitely
CBD can work on both nervous system level and physical level of pain, making it super effective.
Arnica is anti-inflammatory and a fantastic use for pain, strains, sprains, bruising , carpel tunnel and swelling. You can use my Fullscripts link here as well for a discount on arnica
St. John's Wort can be used for nerve pain
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Chronic pain often involves an overactive nervous system that is constantly living in fight-or-flight. Calming the nervous system can reduce pain intensity and promote healing. Society today is terrible to our nervous systems and the vagus nerve. It was not programmed to handle the frequency and intensity of the stressors of today’s world. Improving vagus nerve dysfunction teaches your system to be flexible when faced with a stressor or “trigger” and how to accurately “read” them and respond appropriately. I have many free resources for vagus nerve activation on my site at www.releaseology.com/vagus plus book with me with my services below. I ALWAYS recommend the NKT Vagus Nerve Combo to assess where the pain is coming from and then relieve you, but if you want full vagus nerve time, book the Vagus Nerve Harmony Massage. If you don't live locally, I also offer vagus nerve services virtually.
Why Choose Releaseology for Jaw Pain Relief?
At Releaseology, I specialize in holistic, hands-on techniques tailored to address the root causes of your pain—not just the symptoms. Whether you’re dealing with stress-related clenching, TMJ dysfunction, or jaw pain during pregnancy, my personalized approach ensures faster and longer-lasting results. I combine neurokinetic therapy, myofascial release, and other advanced methods to help you find relief and reclaim your comfort.
Don’t let jaw pain hold you back from enjoying life. Book a session today and experience the Releaseology difference. Together, we’ll create a plan to get you feeling your best.
Any of these services will include an assessment and evaluation into your jaw pain or book a free consultation below
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Essential Oils for Jaw Pain Relief
More from Releaseology
Don't forget to check out other resources on my site! You can book a session with me here, find a list of conditions I treat here, find more about me here, learn how to regulate your own vagus nerve and nervous system here and read more on my blog here. Lastly, follow me on my social channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok!
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