FULL EPISODE: Itunes | Spotify
If you experience headaches and migraines then it’s common to also experience jaw pain. A TMJ headache is a type of headache that radiates from the temporomandibular joint. However conditions like jaw pain and temporomandibular dysfunction or TMD can cause chronic head and neck pain that present in headaches.
So does jaw pain cause headaches or is it the other way around?
If you suffer from headaches and migraines, it can be debilitating and answers can be hard to pinpoint. Some people experience more vague symptoms like brain-fog or lack of energy.
Symptoms of TMJ and jaw pain include:
- Pain or tenderness on the right or left side of the jaw
- Pain in the left or right of the temporomandibular joints
- Aching pain in and around your ear
- Dizziness
- Brain-fog
- Lack of energy
- Teeth grinding
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
- Aching facial pain to one side or both
- Neck pain and stiffness
- A click on opening the jaw on the right, left or both sides.
- Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
- TMJ Headaches or migraines
Each of these symptoms may present together or separately and they can be serious.
In the dental clinic we see patients that have experienced TMJ headaches for years. While the solutions can be hard to find, getting a better grasp on the jaw and TMJ system is extremely helpful.
My guest on the podcast in this episode is Dr. Joe Damiani a physiotherapist PT, DPT has worked with over 1000 patients experiencing persistent TMJ disorder, Headaches & Neck Pain. His rehab clinic is situated in Wyckoff, NJ where he provides one-on-one care. Dr. Joe’s philosophy is twofold: firstly, he places significant emphasis on patient education, enabling them to comprehend the mechanisms and rationale behind their injuries. Secondly, he empowers patients with self-treatment strategies and the tools necessary to address their issues independently, rather than relying on passive therapies that only offer temporary relief, perpetuating a cycle of discomfort and recurrence.
You can follow Dr. Joe Damiani on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/drjoedamiani/
Additionally, he has created an online program which allows individuals suffering, to utilize his signature process from home.
Guitar cover at end of episode: My Happiness – Powderfinger
