Articles


Relieve TMJ Headaches Naturally

by Kevin Bates

If you always suffer with complaints of migraine or a splitting feeling in your temple, chances are, you have temporomandibular joint disorder. The primary reason why the aforesaid joint problem makes your temple painful is often pointed to the trigeminal nerve, which is noted as one of the most complex nerves in the body. It is closely associated with your temporomandibular joint, which is responsible for the functions of your jaw and teeth. It is the one that feeds the sensation and function right into your jaws, tongue, face, sinus, eyes, teeth and lips.

Your trigeminal nerves are also related to your facial, hypoglossal, and vagus nerves. All of which control the sensation and function of the muscles found in your temple, neck, and throat. Most of the branches of these nerves pass through your temporomandibular joint, and if one of the aforesaid nerves feel pain, the other three nerves will also feel such pain. As such, TMJ headaches are often accounted to the trigeminal nerves.

You don't have to put up with the pain of your TMJ headaches. In fact, there are various non-invasive interventions you can try at home in order to alleviate yourself from such pain. You can start your therapy by engaging in a diet filled with soft foods for at least a week or two. You must understand that temporomandibular joint disorder often occur because of the stress and tension building up in the muscles of your jaws and face. By settling for a diet filled with soft foods such as rice, bananas, and pudding among others, you will greatly reduce the tension in your jaw and you will avoid placing additional stress in your jaw, which in turn will allow it to relax.

Next, try to alternately place cold and warm compression onto your jaw. You can do this by simply wrapping a bottle filled with hot water in a towel and then apply the compression on both sides of your jaw as well as your temple for at least 15 minutes. After doing the hot compression, apply a cold compress on your jaw and temple using an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 15 minutes. You can repeat this process every hour if necessary in order to reduce the pain of TMJ headaches.

Of course, equally important is for you to regularly do jaw exercises. Exercises and stretches can greatly aid in preventing the occurrence of migraines induced by temporomandibular joint disorder, especially if they are executed on a daily basis. To do this, slowly open your mouth as wide as you can and then with a soft pressure, press your fist to your chin to push your jaw back to its right position. Do this for at least 30 seconds and then slowly close your mouth. Repeat this exercise at least four times per day.

Jaw massage is also helpful in alleviating migraines and other pains in your temple, including the tension in your face and jaw. To do this, gently rub the hinges where your jaw and skull joints meet. Gently massage this area until you feel that the pain is dissipating. Once you are able to apply all these, your migraines will be greatly reduced.

TMJ headaches can be relieved with the application of non-invasive treatments that you can personally do at home. You can start your home remedy by eating soft foods to relieve the stress in your jaw. Then, you can alternately apply hot and cold compressions on your jaw to relax your facial muscles. Jaw exercises are also effective in relieving migraines, not to mention jaw massages.

Published January 26th, 2011

Filed in Health