Jaw Pain and Acupuncture: A Holistic Approach
Jaw pain is a common issue that affects many people, often interfering with their ability to eat, speak, or even smile. This discomfort can stem from various causes, including muscle tension, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and infections. Addressing jaw pain is crucial for improving quality of life. In this article, we will explore how acupuncture can effectively decrease jaw pain by targeting muscle tension, providing pain relief, and improving movement in the jaw. (1)
Causes and Symptoms of Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can be caused by various conditions, and it is important to figure out the cause of your jaw pain to get proper treatment. One common condition is temporomandibular disorder (TMD) which is some dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint is located underneath the cheekbone and is a hinge-like joint that allows for movements such as chewing, talking and yawning. About 5-12% of the general adult population have some form of TMD. Symptoms of TMD are jaw pain and tightness, facial pain, shoulder or neck pain, stiffness in your jaw, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, jaw popping or clicking, headaches, migraines, earaches, toothache or ringing in your ears (2). Other causes of jaw pain include tooth or gum infection/disease, trauma and certain bacterial infections. If your pain is severe or lasts longer than 1 week it’s important to get evaluated by a medical doctor (3).
How does Acupuncture treat jaw pain?
Acupuncture treatments for jaw pain use a combination of acupuncture points around the jaw and on the arms and legs. The points on the face are targeted specifically to treat the muscles that help move the jaw and the joint itself (4). Acupuncture needles cause an increase in blood flow to the muscles to encourage relaxation and pain relief (5). A study examined over 20 studies that used acupuncture techniques to treat jaw pain and found it “lowers pain thresholds and increase maximum mouth opening compared to sham acupuncture or other non-active interventions” (1).
TMJ Anatomy and Acupuncture Points
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we will often address underlying stress in the treatment for jaw pain and that can be done through the Liver organ. In TCM theory, the Liver is responsible for harmonizing the movement of Qi in the body and with physical or emotional stress it can become constrained. Your acupuncturist may call this condition Liver Qi Stagnation. This can lead to tension getting stuck in the upper shoulders, neck, and face. A famous protocol to treat Liver Qi Stagnation is called the Four Gates, which uses acupuncture points LV3 (Taichong) and LI4 (Hegu) (6). These 4 points help open up the whole body and move Qi and Blood Stagnation, thus promoting relaxation. Depending on each person, your acupuncturist may use additional points on the body to promote relaxation and pain relief.
The Four Gates
In conclusion, jaw pain can significantly impact one's quality of life, but acupuncture offers a promising solution by targeting muscle tension and providing pain relief. By addressing the root causes of jaw pain, acupuncture can help improve overall well-being. If you are experiencing jaw pain, consider consulting with a licensed acupuncturist to explore how this traditional Chinese medicine practice can benefit you. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step towards a pain-free life.
Published 3/10/2025
Bibliography:
1. Condor AM, Paraschiv AM, Ioana Niculae, et al. Effects of acupuncture and related techniques in temporomandibular disorders (TMD): A systematic review. Balneo and PRM Research Journal. 2024;15(Vol.15, no. 3):742-742. doi:https://doi.org/10.12680/balneo.2024.742
2. Cleveland Clinic. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention. Cleveland Clinic. Published June 21, 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15066-temporomandibular-disorders-tmd-overview
3. Cleveland Clinic. Jaw Pain: Common Causes and How To Treat It. Cleveland Clinic. Published November 14, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24447-jaw-pain
4. East Village Acupuncture. TMJ Anatomy and Acupoints.; 2021.
5. Hong CZ. Myofascial Trigger Points: Pathophysiology and Correlation with Acupuncture Points. Acupuncture in Medicine. 2000;18(1):41-47. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/aim.18.1.41
6. Thomson Chinese Medicine. The Four Gates.; 2020.