Headaches and Jaw Pain

Jaw pain and headache are very common problems.

Jaw pain and associated headache can be caused by

• Injury, such as a heavy blow or a fall onto your chin
• Upper and lower teeth not meeting together properly
• Missing several adjacent teeth
• Arthritis

These can cause

• Pain in the jaw joint, jaw muscles, neck, temples
• Headache
• Jaw locking
• Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ears
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Physiotherapy treatment will be different for each patient depending on their symptoms. The aim of treatment is initially to relieve pain and to reduce swelling and muscle spasm, then to restore jaw movement and alignment.

It is also important to treat associated neck pain and headaches and to improve neck posture.

With physiotherapy most people will see a significant improvement in their symptoms within 3 to 6 weeks.

Individuals are assessed and where appropriate advised to consult a dental practitioner or doctor.