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Juntendo Clinic

515 E. Golf Rd., Suite 108

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 US

847-290-8339

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  • Acupuncture for Jaw Pain and Clenching

Acupuncture for Jaw Pain and Clenching

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Woman getting acupuncture treatment in face

Acupuncture Can Relieve Your Jaw Pain

Jaw pain is more than just a minor annoyance. When your jaw is stiff and painful, it's difficult to chew or even hold a conversation. If you're tired of living with an aching jaw, acupuncture can relieve your pain naturally.

What Causes Jaw Pain?

Jaw pain has a variety of causes, including injuries, arthritis, misalignments, clenching, or grinding your teeth while you sleep. Pain in the muscles and joints in the jaw is often related to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The disorder affects 5 to 12 percent of Americans and occurs twice as often in women, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Symptoms of TMD include:

  • Popping or clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth
  • Jaw pain and stiffness
  • Tight jaw muscles
  • Temporary locking of the jaw
  • Ear pain
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Stiff muscles in the upper back and neck

How Acupuncture Can Help You

Many painful conditions can occur due to imbalances in your body. Acupuncture restores your natural balance by targeting blockages of Qi, your body's life force. Qi travels throughout your body through a series of channels, known as meridians. After identifying the location of the blockages, your acupuncturist clears them by inserting needles into the corresponding meridians. Needles aren't always inserted in the head but may be placed anywhere along the meridian.

Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and don't cause pain. In fact, you may only notice a slight tingling sensation or a dull ache when the needles are inserted.

Treatments are ideal for jaw pain because they:

  • Moderate Pain Signals: Acupuncture treatments may alter the pain signals that travel from your nerves to your brain and may activate receptors in the brain responsible for diminishing pain. Acupuncture is an effective pain control option for TMD, according to a meta-analysis and systematic review published in Medicine in 2017.
  • Loosen Tight Muscles: Muscle tension, a common jaw pain symptom, makes opening and closing your mouth painful. Although muscle relaxants can be helpful in easing tension, these prescription drugs may cause drowsiness and other side effects. Acupuncture loosens your muscles and stops spasms without any unpleasant side effects.
  • Help Your Body Release Natural Painkillers: Acupuncture triggers the release of opioids and endorphins, natural substances produced by your body that reduce pain and improve your mood. More than 88 percent of TMD patients who received 8 to 10 weekly acupuncture treatments found the treatment highly beneficial in a research study published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies.
  • Reduces Stress: Stress can play a role in jaw pain and clenching or grinding your teeth. If you think that your jaw pain is caused or worsened by stress, you'll want to give your acupuncturist a call. Acupuncture reduces the production of cortisol, a key stress hormone. Treatments also prompt your body to produce more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that sends messages between your nerves and cells. Serotonin helps you relax, balances your moods, and may even improve insomnia.

Are you ready to try acupuncture? Give us a call to schedule your appointment.

Sources:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Prevalence of TMJD and Its Signs and Symptoms

NCBI: Medicine: Acupuncture Therapy in the Management of the Clinical Outcomes for Temporomandibular Disorders, 1/9/17

PubMed: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies: Acupuncture for Treating Temporomandibular Disorder: Retrospective Study on Safety and Efficacy, 12/10

Practical Pain Management: Acupuncture: New Approach for Temporomandibular Disorders, 3/15/16

Journal of Dentistry: The Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Myofascial Pain: A Randomised Controlled Trial, 11/13/06

Colgate: Does Acupuncture Work for TMJ?

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  • Herbal and Nutritional Therapies
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Monday:

2:00 pm-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

5:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

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10:00 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

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Testimonials

  • "Earlier this year, I woke up one day with extreme pain in my right shoulder. After a trip to the emergency room and an orthopedic surgeon appointment, it was discovered that I had calcific tendinopathy. The diagnosis was that I would need to be in a shoulder immobilizer for 3-4 months for painful rehab and months of harsh prescription medications. This is when I consulted with Dr. Kari and Kimberley. After the first treatment, I was able to remover the shoulder immobilizer. By the third treatment, I was back at full strength. I owe my ability to enjoy my summer to Juntendo Clinic and recommend Dr. Kari and Kimberly to everyone I speak with."
    C.F.
  • "I came to see Dr. Kari one year ago due to infertility. Dr. Kari used her knowledge and experience to help me have two healthy boys. I also did acupuncture throughout my pregnancy and that helped me stay energized and maintain a healthy pregnancy."
    J.H.
  • "Thank you so very much for treating my lower back pain caused by the sciatica nerve. The pain is completely gone. I would also like to thank you for being so thoughtful and concerned about my health."
    M.J.
  • "Acupuncture has helped me in many ways. No medical treatments helped me get pregnant, but acupuncture helped. Also I am more relaxed. Acupuncture brought light into my life. I got a beautiful daughter and I cannot be more thankful to Dr. Kari."
    Z.B.
  • "I believe acupuncture treatment helped me greatly to have a successful pregnancy. Especially going through a year of treatment."
    M.A.
  • "Helped with headaches, bloating, heartburn, and acupuncture has really helped with morning sickness. I started coming to the clinic in early this year. Dr. Ye has been a god send to me."
    E.P.
  • "Have a lot of confidence in Dr. Ye's knowledge and skills. Would refer others to Juntendo. Office is very clean / hygenic. Staff is professional and people oriented. Dr. Ye is very personable. I am very pleased with Juntendo."
    A.E. / Arlington Heights, IL

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