Natural Treatments for Jaw Pain

By Kelli Rosen, Delicious Living

If you suffer from chronic facial pain related to problems with the jaw, namely the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, you may want to turn to natural therapies for relief–and take the bite out of jaw pain for good. And while each treatment is effective alone, experts recommend utilizing these options in concert.

Acupuncture
By balancing the energy around the jaw, “acupuncture is very effective in addressing the root causes of grinding and clenching, such as stress, anger, and frustration, making it an excellent treatment option,” says Carrie Corey, LAc, LMT, a massage and acupuncture practitioner in Bethesda, Maryland. “Since tension decreases the flow of blood and energy qi in the [jaw] area, needles can be placed directly in tender points to relax specific areas of muscle.”

During a session for TMJ pain, expect needles to be inserted in acupoints along the channels that flow through the face, neck, or jaw, including the head, arms, and legs. Although many people experience positive results after only one session, don’t give up if relief isn’t immediate. “I usually recommend that patients allow six to eight visits before assessing if acupuncture will or will not be effective,” says Leslie Axelrod, ND, LAc, a practitioner in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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Read more: Alternative Therapies, Health, bruxism, jaw pain, TMJ

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Rebecca L.

2:24PM PDT on May 6, 2010

That's really interesting, I didn't know that there were massage therapists that worked inside of the mouth.

Jessie D.

7:35PM PDT on Apr 11, 2010

I massage my own jaw sometimes. I can't afford to have someone do it for me. Also am scared of needles, so the acupuncture doesn't appeal to me. I am just now beginning to study about my pain and causes and remedies. Care2 is always a great place to start. ")

Tonya B.

6:31AM PST on Jan 23, 2010

I have TMJ but haven't gone in for the surgery

Jessica R.

8:05AM PST on Dec 27, 2009

excellent information

Green B.

2:24PM PST on Dec 24, 2009

So true, I suffered chronice TMJ. I was even directed to oral surgery, wich was invasive, very painful and very expensive. The oral surgery did nothing to help with the TMJ. For me the TMJ, was triggered in times of undue stress.

Then, I found a massage therapist. He had a wonderful technique that relaxed my body entirely. When I was in a state of complete relaxation and only then, the therapist would maniuplate my jaw muscles. I had a one hour session with the therapist twice a year until the pain stopped.

At first, when I met with the therapist and he said the pain would stop, I would have laughed if laughing had not been painful. After all, I had undergone surgery that was ineffective so I thought -- what can massate do.

Afte four months of massage sessions the pain did, in fact, stop. Skillful working with relaxed muscles ended up relieving the pain. I had my sessions with the therpist eleven years ago. I have not had TMJ problem since.

Danielle W.

1:45PM PST on Dec 4, 2009

Have a night guard or retainer made by your dentist to fit your mouth! It will make jaw pain and jaw pain related headaches and migraines a distant memory! I seriously never sleep without mine - not even a quick nap!

Deborah E.

7:05PM PST on Dec 1, 2009

The Intra oral type massage is also done by many Shiatsu practitioners, and others, such as those doing Structural Integration techniques: like KMI. Craniosacral therapists have also been able to help many people find freedom from TMJ.

And Juliet, if you care to study acupuncture meridian theory, which has been around for a few thousand years, you'll find that a number of energetic pathways are found throughout the body. Those that run through the facial & jaw area can release a great deal of the tension & pain many TMJ sufferers have, not to mention migraines. Acupuncture wouldn't still be around if it weren't effective!

That said, it is possible to have someone with structural issues that will not respond to a variety of techniques. In this case it may require surgery or other dental procedures to correct some problems, as you have stated. However, many forms of TMJ are also related to mental/emotional stress and until that is resolved the clenching & grinding will often continue to be problem.

The book Acupressure's Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach
is an excellent self-help resource for TMJ & many other conditions. Also this article from Massage & Bodywork
magazine: The Face of Grace (originally published in 2001)
has wonderful self-help techniques: http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/557/Face-of-Grace

Valerie M.

7:32AM PDT on Oct 27, 2009

Acupuncture completely cured my trigeminal neuralgia. No more Topomax; no more pain. I did have to go several times--maybe 6, I forget--it's been a few years ago now. If it comes back after a few years, would I go back for another half dozen acupuncture treatments at $60.00 each? Sure. The point is, I've been TMJ-pain-free because of acupuncture for several years now!

5:33AM PDT on Oct 26, 2009

I have nothing against acupuncture as temporary pain relief, but it will NOT realign your teeth. I sure didn't enjoy the braces I had put on in my 40s, but they did permanently stop the molar grinding and headaches. It could be that upper and lower teeth that don't fit together properly could be the "root cause" of your stress, rather than the other way around. "balancing the energy around the jaw" - this is quack-speak. "six to eight visits before assessing if acupuncture will or will not be effective" - at how much $$ per visit? What is the risk that 6-8 sessions would damage your nerves? Care2, please stop allowing hucksters to prey upon the gullible!