If you suffer from headaches, neck pain, and jaw tension, you’re not alone – and this constellation of symptoms occurring together may be more connected than you think! Research suggests that temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD or TMD) is often at the root of chronic headaches and neck pain, especially when jaw tension or clenching is present.
How Common Is This Problem?
Up to 12% of the population experiences TMJ pain, with women between the ages of 20 and 50 being most commonly affected (LeResche, 1997). Among people with TMJ pain, more than 50% report frequent headaches, often tension-type or migraine-like (Speciale et al., 2023). Additionally, neck pain is reported in up to 70% of people with jaw dysfunction (Visscher et al., 2010).
Why Does Jaw Dysfunction Cause Neck Pain and Headaches?
The jaw, neck, and head share intricate connections through muscles, fascia (our connective tissue), nerves, and joint systems. When the jaw is tight or misaligned—whether due to stress clenching, teeth grinding (bruxism), or TMJ joint dysfunction, it can:
- Overload the temporalis and masseter muscles in the face, leading to tension headaches
- Create trigger points in the suboccipital and sternocleidomastoid muscles in the neck and the base of the skull, referring pain into the neck and head
- Affect the trigeminal nerve, one of the main nerves involved in facial sensation, which can amplify headache symptoms
- Cause imbalance in the upper spine, leading to neck stiffness and muscle guarding
This triad of jaw tension, neck pain, and headache often becomes a vicious cycle: jaw dysfunction leads to neck compensation, and neck stiffness further aggravates the jaw and head.
How Can Bodywork Help?
Chiropractic care can restore mobility and alignment to both the jaw and the cervical spine, relieving pressure on nerves and muscles contributing to pain. A 2016 review by Cooperstein & Hickey highlights the potential of manual therapy, including chiropractic adjustments, in improving TMJ-related symptoms.
Myotherapy and remedial massage target the muscles and fascia involved in jaw and neck tension. Techniques such as trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and intra-oral massage have shown significant benefit in reducing headache frequency and jaw pain (La Touche et al., 2014).
Relevant Studies:
- La Touche, R. et al. (2014). Effectiveness of therapeutic massage in the management of TMD: A systematic review. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 41(3), 163–173.
- Visscher, C.M. et al. (2010). Comorbid conditions in temporomandibular disorders. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, 110(3), 288–293.
- Cooperstein, R., & Hickey, M. (2016). Manual therapy for temporomandibular disorders. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 15(3), 192–202.
- Speciale, A. et al. (2023). Temporomandibular disorders and headaches: A narrative review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(2), 540.