Headache and jaw pain
Don't let migraines and headaches control you
Common causes
- Stress and tension
- Working with screens and devices for long periods of time, with perhaps a less than ideal sitting setting.
- Sitting all day, which puts strain on the spine in the long term
- Accidents, including blows to the head and whiplash
Migraines and headaches explained in plain language
- There are two common types of headaches - tension headaches and migraines. Both are quite different, and some people have both!
- It ranges from a dull ache that comes and goes in the back of the head, to a shooting pain across the head and behind the eyes.
- Sometimes with rest and time things improve, but more often the problem doesn't improve 100% and pain, suffering or vulnerability is felt. Often it just comes and goes.
What are the main causes of jaw and head pain?
Jaw pain
Jaw pain is sometimes called temporomandibular disorder (TMD) because of the joints affected. The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located just in front of the ears where the jaw is attached to the skull. Pain is usually felt in this area and can spread around the cheeks and jaw as well as into the ears. Your jaw may click when you open or close your mouth, and may feel "stuck" or restricted. People with jaw pain may also experience headaches and tinnitus.
Tension Headache
This type of tension pain is usually described as a tightness of the head as if from a hoop. Most often, both hemispheres are affected, and it is possible that the discomfort begins to spread to them from the neck. Painful sensations come from outside and are mild to moderate in intensity.
It is also important to note that tension headaches usually do not interfere with usual activities, are not exacerbated by physical activity, but are likely to cause several days of discomfort. Sometimes it subsides within an hour, but other times it lasts 2-3 days.
Migraine
Migraine is an episodic disorder affecting the nervous system and occurring more frequently among ladies. It expresses itself as an extremely severe headache, which in many cases is also accompanied by a throbbing sensation. Sometimes the symptoms are so unbearable that the person is unable to carry out his usual activities. In most cases it affects only one hemisphere, but patients with painful sensations spreading throughout the head are also encountered. In others the discomfort is concentrated in the forehead, neck, temples.
Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic headache manifests as a unilateral pain that starts from the neck. It is a common chronic and recurrent headache that usually begins after neck movement. It usually accompanies decreased range of motion of the neck. May be confused with migraine, tension headache or other primary headache syndromes. Symptoms of CGH are usually side-locked, meaning they occur on one side of the neck, head and/or face. It is a secondary headache that occurs because of a physical or neurological condition that started first.
How does the osteopath treat migraines and headaches?
Osteopathy relaxes the neck and removes the neck and head pain (and its causes), so the tension that creates the headache is removed and the pain gradually reduces.
And here's the best part... Often people find that when the root cause of their problems is removed, related problems also improve dramatically, so you get help for all kinds of problems you didn't even suspect were related. For example, many problems with vertigo, brain fog, and even digestion are resolved when your headaches are relieved.
How can osteopathy help with jaw pain?
Jaw pain is usually due to restriction or hypermobility of one or both joints. The osteopath's goal is to restore the best possible function to the area by treating the complex system of surrounding muscles, joints and connective tissue. Treatment may involve gentle massage and mobilisation of the muscles of the neck, upper back and face. We will also advise you on exercises to do at home. When people's headaches and tinnitus are associated with jaw pain, osteopathic treatment can also help to relieve these symptoms.
In some cases where teeth grinding is a problem, we may recommend that you speak to your dentist about fitting a mouth guard to wear at night.