Jaw Pain
Does your jaw feel tight? Or do you wake with a headache from grinding your teeth? Ever wondered why this happens?
It can be due to a number of reasons, commonly the biggest one is stress and anxiety related. We tend to hold a lot of stress in our jaw, which can lead to muscle tightness around the jaw and inside the mouth with the connecting muscles of the jaw, neck and face.
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is also associated with stress and anxiety. This is when the lower jaw is tightened and moves sideways against the upper jaw. This most commonly happens at night time. Some symptoms of bruxism include;
Waking with a headache.
Pain in and around the jaw or sore face muscles early in the morning.
Grinding noises when sleeping.
Teeth/ dental changes - wearing of the teeth.
Jaw clenching is tightness in the jaw muscles causing the teeth to press together. This doesn't cause movement at the jaw joint (TMJ), although the most common symptom to report is a jaw ache. This is most commonly associated with stress.
Some suggestions for reducing jaw tightness and pain from your Edgewater Chiropractors include;
Relaxing the jaw - rest your tongue behind your top front teeth and lower your bottom jaw so your teeth aren't touching.
Chin tucks - bring your chin up and back to bring space into your neck and help with bringing the jaw back with posture.
Massage jaw muscles - in front and down from your ears you'll find a muscle (masseter). Clench the jaw to find it and then relax and gently massage the area in circular motions.
Get your jaw and neck assessed by your local Chiropractor - sometimes your pain is not stress related and it can be disc displacement (clicking in the jaw) or myofascial pain syndrome associated.
Book in online here to get an assessment and treatment TODAY!
If you have any further questions about jaw pain give us a call on 0497 358 214 or email us at formchiro@gmail.com
We service all surrounding suburbs from north of the river, find us Suite 13, 1 The Gateway, Edgewater, 6027