Chronic headaches can be life-altering—but what if the source of the problem isn’t neurological or vision-related? Many people have chronic migraines and do not think the source could sometimes be their jaw. That is right – temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a prevalent but often overlooked contributor behind chronic headaches and migraines.
This blog will introduce how TMJ-related dysfunction could be the reason for your pain.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) attaches your jaw to your skull. It’s always working when you eat, talk, yawn, or just clench your teeth in frustration. When this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, it can set off a reflex of pain and tension in the head and neck.
TMJ problems can frequently cause surrounding muscles to become tight and stay tight, most often next to the temples. This tightness can become a headache of throbbing or pressure.
With the joint misaligned or dysfunctioning, it can irritate nearby nerves creating similar symptoms to Migraines.
Another possibility is inflammation in ‘the joint’ that nearby blood vessels become irritated leading to actual pain that is frequently misdiagnosed as vascular migraines.
Jaw pain has an ability to radiate to the temples, cheeks and forehead, imitating classic migraines.
Individuals with TMJ dysfunction and/or pain may have one or more different types of headaches:
Tension-type headaches are characterized by constant pressure or dull pain. These headaches can be triggered by jaw clenching or grinding. They are generally associated with neck and shoulder stiffness.
TMJ inflammation can constrict normal blood flow in or near the head area and trigger pulsating pain, visual bright/dim glitches, nausea, and/or light or noise sensitivity.
Nothing like having a rare form of TMJ dysfunction triggers intense severe pain around one eye or one temple. These headaches are on a cycle lasting from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
Cervicogenic headaches originate from strain in the neck or jaw. These headaches have a facet of pain that can feel like pain radiating from the back of your skull up to the area of your forehead. Poor stress management with poor posture and jaw misalignment are the common triggers.
If your migraines are coming from TMJ dysfunction and you are attacking migraines without targeting the TMJ, you may have the answer. TMJ arthroplasty is a modern, minimally invasive way to assess and treat the joint itself!
Here is how TMJ Arthroscopy can help:
Realizing that your chronic headaches might have a jaw-related source offers you a better opportunity for a more targeted treatment. If you have exhausted your options—pain medications, different neurologists with no answer, changing your lifestyle with no relief—you may be ready for a TMJ doctor.
Using a TMJ doctor like Dr. Luis Gavin is the best option. He is a highly regarded TMJ surgeon in Dubai. He is focused on diagnosing and treating TMJ-related problems via the latest advances including arthroscopy. Dr.Luis is focused on precision, comfort, and long-term outcomes.