Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTMJ and HeadachesPain DescriptionSpecialists for TMJ MigrainesSelf-Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
TMJ and Headaches
Pain Description
Specialists for TMJ Migraines
Self-Care
If you have frequent migraine headaches, you might be surprised to learn thattemporomandibularjoint (TMJ) disorders and migraine pain are connected.
The TMJ connects your head and the side of your jaw. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)—orTMJ disorders—refer to disorders that cause joint issues and pain in the jaw, head, neck, and surrounding areas.
The pain from TMD disorders often contributes to headaches, including migraines, and can trigger them. There are three classifications for TMD disorders, with one classification dedicated entirely to headaches associated with TMD. While most TMDs will go away over time, if they don’t, the issue can become chronic (long-lasting), resulting in chronic headaches and TMD pain.
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TMJ Symptoms and Headaches
The temporomandibular joint allows you to chew and talk. You can feel your TMJs (one on each side of your head) when you put your hands behind your ears and open your mouth.
There are three classifications of TMD disorders.
People with TMJ disorders experience various symptoms that affect the muscles, jaw, and nerves.These may include:
These symptoms may occur on both sides of the face and neck or only on one side. They may make it hard to speak or eat.
The exact cause of TMJ disorders is unknown, but some potential causes may include:
Many of the triggers ofmigraine headaches, such as stress and hormonal changes, can also trigger TMJ symptoms.TMJ symptoms may occur at the same time as atension headache(a common type of headache, often associated with muscle tightness) or migraine. Sometimes, one can trigger the other or make the pain worse.
Migraines are often associated withother symptoms, such as auras.
Along with classic migraine symptoms such as one-sided throbbing head pain, aTMJ migraine or headachemay feel like a shooting, traveling pain. It might also get worse when you try to chew or talk.
Headache pain related to TMJ disorders might also involve more parts of your body—such as your shoulders or ears—than other kinds of migraine headaches.
For people with TMJ-associated tension-type headaches, the temporalis muscles are responsible for this band of tightness around the head (which the person associates with a headache). These fan-shaped muscles run along the temples. The trigger points for the pain are easily identified around this area.
How Common Is TMJ?Around 11 to 12 million people in the U.S. experience TMJ pain. TMJ disorders are twice as common in women as in men.
How Common Is TMJ?
Around 11 to 12 million people in the U.S. experience TMJ pain. TMJ disorders are twice as common in women as in men.
Because TMJ disorders and migraines have a range of potential causes, you may need to see more than one specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Talk to your primary healthcare provider (PCP) or dentist about a referral for TMJ symptoms and/or migraines.
Here are some of the specialists who might be able to help you with TMJ headaches.
Neurologist
With a physical exam, imaging tests, and an assessment of your medical history, a neurologist can diagnose your migraines accurately. They can also help rule out any other possible medical conditions that could be causing your TMD symptoms and/or headaches.
A neurologist can also help you pinpoint and avoidpossible triggers, in addition to prescribing medication and suggesting exercises and behavioral changes.
Dentist
Some clinicians believe thatbruxism(teeth clenching) and misalignment of the teeth and jaw may contribute to TMD.
Using X-rays and other diagnostic testing tools, a dentist can evaluate your jaw and teeth for signs of any injury or disc displacement. To treat your symptoms, a dentist may suggest jaw exercises, medications, a night plate or bite guard, or orthodontic treatment.In severe cases, they may also refer you to an oral surgeon.
Chiropractor
Some research suggests that regular chiropractic care can help with TMJ headaches and pain.A chiropractor can perform manual adjustments to release tension in your jaw, neck, and shoulders.
Achiropractoris a complementary medicine professional who focuses on the spine and spinal manipulation to address health concerns, especially pain in the back and neck.
Physical Therapist
To treat TMJ disorder, aphysical therapistwill begin with an assessment. They will review your medical history and symptoms, physically examine your jaw, and evaluate your posture and the range of motion in your jaw, neck, or both.
Based on their evaluation, a physical therapist can treat your symptoms with methods such as heat or ice application, massage, postural instruction, TMJ mobilizations, and exercises.
Psychiatrist or Psychologist
Many people with TMD have co-occurring mental health disorders, such asanxiety and depression.Because stress is a common trigger for TMJ headaches, a psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to help treat the underlying causes of your symptoms.
Some clinicians might prescribe anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, or other drugs that can help with co-occurring mental health conditions.
Others may assess your patterns of tension with biofeedback, a technique that uses sensors to monitor your heart rate, breathing, and muscle contractions.This can help you learn to stop tensing the muscles in your jaw.
Treatment
Many TMJ headaches and other TMD symptoms can be effectively managed with home care and alternative methods.However, medical intervention is often necessary to relieve pain.
There are several ways to get rid of a TMJ migraine, such as stress management, medications, physical therapy, and additional treatment options.
Stress Management
Because stress is a common trigger for both TMD and migraines, it’s important to practice self-care with ongoing stress management techniques.These might include:
Behavioral Health
Alongside stress management,cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) and biofeedback devices may help with TMJ pain and headaches.
For example, a biofeedback device can let you know when you’ve tightened or clenched your jaw so you can learn to relax it.
Behavioral Changes
Making some simple changes in your everyday behavior and habits can help to ease TMJ headache symptoms.Some of these minor changes can include:
There are also some habits you should avoid to prevent TMJ headaches, including:
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe or recommend certain medications to alleviate pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, and other symptoms of TMJ migraines.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, includingnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen), can also help with temporary pain relief.
Botox
Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is injected into the muscles in small amounts to make them relax.
Essential Oils
Someessential oilsmight be applied topically (on the skin) to help with TMJ migraine pain management.Peppermint oil, for example, has potential pain-relieving properties. Frankincense oil may reduce inflammation, while lavender oil may help with muscle tension.
It’s important that you dilute essential oils in a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) before applying them to your skin or they may cause irritation. Discuss their use with your dentist or healthcare provider.
There is limited evidence for the overall effectiveness of essential oils, but they may provide temporary pain relief.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist may perform manual therapy, in which they use their hands to stretch the soft tissues and muscles around the TMJ joint. This may help to relieve some pain.
A physical therapist may also teach you exercises you can do at home toimprove your jaw’s functionand relieve pain.
Intraoral Devices
Your dentist may recommend an intraoral device, also known as a nightguard, bruxism (teeth grinding) splint, and other names. These devices fit over your teeth and are thought to help reduce teeth grinding and clenching.
However, there isn’t great evidence that these tools are useful.
Surgical Interventions
There are several surgical interventions for TMD disorders. However, there are little data to back up invasive procedures. Additionally, many procedures could worsen the issue instead of fixing it.
Consider asking your healthcare provider about less invasive options to try first or seek a second opinion if surgical interventions are suggested first.
Summary
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to a collection of conditions related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the head to the jaw.
TMJ disorders cause pain, tenderness, and other symptoms (such as clicking and popping) in the chewing muscles, jaw, neck, shoulders, head, and surrounding areas. They can also trigger migraine headaches and chronic facial pain.
Specialists that can help with TMJ headaches may include neurologists, dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and mental health therapists. At-home treatments for TMJ headaches can include over-the-counter medications, behavioral changes, and stress management techniques.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Byun SH, Min C, Yoo DM, Yang BE, Choi HG.Increased risk of migraine in patients with temporomandibular disorder: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort.Diagnostics. 2020;10(9):724.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.TMD (temporomandibular disorders).Academy of General Dentistry.Temporomandibular joint disorder.MedlinePlus.Migraine.American Dental Association.TMJ.Pavia S, Fischer R, Roy R.Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction: A retrospective case series.J Chiropr Med. 2015;14(4):279-284. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2015.08.005American Physical Therapy Association.Physical therapy guide to temporomandibular joint disorder.Ucar M, Sarp Ü, Koca İ, et al.Effectiveness of a home exercise program in combination with ultrasound therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders.J Phys Ther Sci. 2014;26(12):1847-1849. doi:10.1589/jpts.26.1847American Migraine Foundation.Botox for migraine.Scuteri D, Hamamura K, Sakurada T, et al.Efficacy of essential oils in pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:640128. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.640128
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Byun SH, Min C, Yoo DM, Yang BE, Choi HG.Increased risk of migraine in patients with temporomandibular disorder: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort.Diagnostics. 2020;10(9):724.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.TMD (temporomandibular disorders).Academy of General Dentistry.Temporomandibular joint disorder.MedlinePlus.Migraine.American Dental Association.TMJ.Pavia S, Fischer R, Roy R.Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction: A retrospective case series.J Chiropr Med. 2015;14(4):279-284. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2015.08.005American Physical Therapy Association.Physical therapy guide to temporomandibular joint disorder.Ucar M, Sarp Ü, Koca İ, et al.Effectiveness of a home exercise program in combination with ultrasound therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders.J Phys Ther Sci. 2014;26(12):1847-1849. doi:10.1589/jpts.26.1847American Migraine Foundation.Botox for migraine.Scuteri D, Hamamura K, Sakurada T, et al.Efficacy of essential oils in pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:640128. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.640128
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Byun SH, Min C, Yoo DM, Yang BE, Choi HG.Increased risk of migraine in patients with temporomandibular disorder: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort.Diagnostics. 2020;10(9):724.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.TMD (temporomandibular disorders).Academy of General Dentistry.Temporomandibular joint disorder.MedlinePlus.Migraine.American Dental Association.TMJ.Pavia S, Fischer R, Roy R.Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction: A retrospective case series.J Chiropr Med. 2015;14(4):279-284. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2015.08.005American Physical Therapy Association.Physical therapy guide to temporomandibular joint disorder.Ucar M, Sarp Ü, Koca İ, et al.Effectiveness of a home exercise program in combination with ultrasound therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders.J Phys Ther Sci. 2014;26(12):1847-1849. doi:10.1589/jpts.26.1847American Migraine Foundation.Botox for migraine.Scuteri D, Hamamura K, Sakurada T, et al.Efficacy of essential oils in pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:640128. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.640128
Byun SH, Min C, Yoo DM, Yang BE, Choi HG.Increased risk of migraine in patients with temporomandibular disorder: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort.Diagnostics. 2020;10(9):724.
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Academy of General Dentistry.Temporomandibular joint disorder.
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American Dental Association.TMJ.
Pavia S, Fischer R, Roy R.Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction: A retrospective case series.J Chiropr Med. 2015;14(4):279-284. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2015.08.005
American Physical Therapy Association.Physical therapy guide to temporomandibular joint disorder.
Ucar M, Sarp Ü, Koca İ, et al.Effectiveness of a home exercise program in combination with ultrasound therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders.J Phys Ther Sci. 2014;26(12):1847-1849. doi:10.1589/jpts.26.1847
American Migraine Foundation.Botox for migraine.
Scuteri D, Hamamura K, Sakurada T, et al.Efficacy of essential oils in pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:640128. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.640128
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