Self-Care Tips to manage YOUR jaw pain

Do you experience clicking, crunching, grinding, or persistent pain in your jaw? If so, you're not alone. Jaw pain, also known as temporomandibular joint pain, can be uncomfortable and frustrating. However, the good news is that there are some simple self-care techniques you can try to alleviate this discomfort. 

Jaw pain can manifest in various ways such as clicking during movement of your jaw, grinding sensations, pain whilst chewing/eating or even headaches and neck pain. It's essential to recognise the potential relationship between jaw pain and neck pain syndromes. If you are prone to clenching or grinding your teeth associated with stress, you might experience tightness or facial pain.

Self-Care Techniques:

1. Soft Tissue Therapy: Using your hands, gently massage the muscles around your jaw. Focus on the :

• temporalis muscles located at your temples,

• the masseter and pterygoid muscles in the jaw area,

• and the stylohyoid and digastric muscles beneath the jaw.
  
  

For more precise work, you can use a lacrosse ball or a massage ball to target specific areas.

2. Intraoral Massage: If you're comfortable, you can try massaging the muscles inside your mouth with a gloved finger. This technique can help improve jaw motion and reduce stiffness.

3. Consider Related Areas: Remember that the neck, shoulders, and pecs are interconnected with the jaw. Pay attention to these areas as well, using a lacrosse ball or massage gun to alleviate tension.

By incorporating these self-care techniques into your routine, you can take proactive steps to relieve jaw pain.
Look out for our next post, where we share exercises to strengthen and promote smooth jaw movement, preventing future discomfort.

Struggling with jaw pain and need help? Click HERE to book your appointment and start your journey towards been pain free!