TMJ and Jaw Pain

How Chinese Medicine Looks at Jaw Pain

Joshua describes the jaw muscles as chronic stress holders. In Chinese medicine, long periods of stress are thought to affect the Liver system and slow the smooth flow of Qi and blood. Signs of this pattern can include jaw clenching, neck tension, headaches and irritability.

Jaw tension also tends to travel with tightness in other areas. Patients who clench their jaw or grind their teeth often hold tension in the top of the shoulders and neck as well, and many also have trouble sleeping.

How Joshua Treats TMJ and Jaw Pain

Treatment begins with a review of your health history and where you feel pain, tightness or clicking. Joshua also asks where you hold the most stress, because treating that area along with a general stress treatment tends to help the whole body relax. A treatment may include:

• Local points near the jaw to help relax tight muscles
• Distal points on the hands, arms or legs, which are thought to help the body reduce pain
• Points for the neck and shoulders when tension there is connected to the jaw
• Points that support relaxation and sleep

Cupping or gua sha may be added for tight neck and shoulder muscles, and Chinese herbal formulas may be considered when stress or sleep is part of the picture. Jaw pain can have many causes, including dental problems, so it is a good idea to also have your jaw evaluated by your dentist or physician.

Self-Care Tips for Jaw Tension

• Clench your jaw gently to find the muscle that pops out, then relax and press on that spot with your fingers.
• Hold steady pressure while breathing deeply for about one minute. Joshua notes that the effects of this practice build over time.
• Notice when you clench during the day, such as while driving or working, and let your teeth rest apart.
• Gently stretch your neck and shoulders, since tension there often adds to jaw pain.
• Keep regular meals and a consistent sleep routine to help manage overall stress.