16/04/2024
Effective TMJ Headache Treatments In Melbourne
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for the special joints that link your jaw to your head, sitting right by your ears. These are super important because they let you open and close your mouth, move your jaw from side to side, and even push it forward or pull it back. This means you can talk, eat, and yawn thanks to these joints. Isn’t it amazing how our bodies work to help us do even the simple things every day?
However, headaches can actually be a sign of problems with your jaw joint, which we call temporomandibular disorders, or TMD for short. It’s not just about headaches, though. If you’re dealing with TMD, you might notice other signs too.
As someone who deeply cares about helping you feel better, I want you to know we’re here to look out for all these symptoms, not just the obvious ones, so we can get to the bottom of what’s really going on and help you find relief.
- Jaw pain and tenderness
- Difficulty chewing
- Limited jaw movement
-Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
If you’re experiencing some of these symptoms along with your headache, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor or dentist. They can help diagnose the cause of your headache and determine if TMJ is a possibility.
TMJ Centre Melbourne is conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne, Victoria.
How TMJ Can Lead to Headaches
1. Muscle Tension - Because the muscles around your TMJ extend up into your head, tension or inflammation in these muscles—often from issues like teeth grinding or jaw misalignment—can send pain shooting into your head, much like how a sore shoulder might make your neck and upper back hurt.
2. TMJ Joint - Inflammation / irritation in the TMJ joint itself can cause headaches. If there’s something wrong inside the joint, like arthritis or the cushioning disc slipping out of place, it can irritate the nerves in the joint and this can then cause referred pain, resulting in headaches.
This connection between TMJ issues and headaches highlights how problems in one part of your body can affect other areas, underscoring the importance of addressing TMJ dysfunction for overall well-being.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR HEADACHES CAUSED BY TMJ
- Located in the temples, around the ears, in the sinuses / cheeks.
- Dull and aching, but can sometimes be throbbing
- Worsened by clenching the jaw or chewing
- TMJ headaches can often mimic tension type headaches and sinus headaches.
Dealing with TMJ headaches
Dealing with TMJ headaches involves several straightforward steps.
- Taking common pain relief pills like acetaminophen (found in Paracetamol) or ibuprofen (found in Nurofen) can help ease the pain and swelling. Sometimes, doctors might also recommend muscle relaxers or specific antidepressants to help relax the jaw and manage pain better.
But medication is just one part of the solution.
- A combination of custom made orthotics to help relax the jaw muscles and take stress off the jaw joints and physical therapy can make a big difference. Sometimes muscle relaxant injections can be of benefit.
In my experience, using all these treatments together can really help people feel better and get back to their normal activities.
Why finding an experienced TMJ specialist in Melbourne is important?
ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS - Sometimes, TMJ issues can look a lot like other problems, and someone who’s not as experienced might not catch the real reason behind your jaw pain. A practitioner specialising in TMJ, how it works, and what can go wrong will be much better at identifying the issue and helping you get the right treatment.
EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS - Treating TMJ can involve different methods, ranging from simple changes in your daily habits to using custom made orthotics to help relax the jaw muscles and take stress off the jaw joints , or even more involved treatments. A practitioner with lots of experience will know about all the newest ways to handle TMJ problems and can come up with a treatment plan that’s just right for you, taking into account how severe your condition is and what you specifically need. This expert approach means you’ll get the most effective help available to improve your situation.
REDUCED RISK OF COMPLICATIONS - While it’s rare for treatments to cause issues, a specialist- please change who really knows what they’re doing is less likely to face these complications. They’re familiar with all the treatment steps and know how to avoid or handle any potential problems. This expertise makes your treatment safer and helps ensure everything goes smoothly.
IMPROVED LONG-TERM OUTCOMES - TMJ problems can stick around for a long time and might need continuous care. A well-versed specialist – please change can come up with a plan that not only deals with your current symptoms but also helps keep future issues at bay. Their know-how means you’re more likely to enjoy lasting relief and better overall jaw health.
Book your consultation at TMJ Centre Melbourne today
Visit our site for further information: https://tmjcentremelbourne.com.au/patient-centre/education/tmj-headache-treatments-in-melbourne/
