At a recent workshop here in St. George, Utah, I presented on the connection between headaches and the jaw joint (TMJ). At the start of the workshop, I asked attendees what they were hoping to gain from the presentation. Two responses stood out:
- “Don’t tell someone to relax when they have headaches.”
- “I’ve tried everything and don’t know what to do anymore.”
In this post, I want to explain how headaches and TMJ pain often interact—and what you can do to help relieve the pain.
Why “Just Relax” Isn’t Helpful
To be clear, I did not tell anyone at the workshop to relax—that comment came from a prior provider. Unfortunately, the participant was not impressed and did not return for further care.
Headaches are frustrating and often debilitating. Advice like:
- Drink more water
- Drink caffeine
- Get more rest
- Relax
is commonly given. Many people have tried all of these and still struggle with headaches. It’s not that someone wants to have a headache—but once one starts, it can be very difficult to get rid of.
What Actually Causes Headaches?
Headaches rarely have just one cause. While hydration, rest, and diet can play a role, many other factors often contribute, including:
- Poor posture
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Stress and anxiety
- Muscle tightness in the neck
- Muscle tightness in the face
- Joint problems in the neck or jaw (TMJ)
How Physical Therapy Can Help
As physical therapists, our specialty is muscle and movement. Nearly all patients with headaches have tight muscles, making physical therapy a great place to start.
Even if headaches originate from a joint issue, muscle tightness is almost always present. While we may not “fix” the joint itself, we can address the surrounding muscles and help reduce pain.
The Pain Cycle
When we experience pain, the brain’s instinct is to protect the body. One way it does this is by tightening muscles.
This creates what I call the pain cycle:
- Pain causes muscle tightness
- Muscle tightness causes more pain
As amazing as our bodies are, this cycle can be difficult to break without help.
Trigger Points and Referred Pain
Tight muscles often develop trigger points (commonly felt as knots). These trigger points can cause:
- Pain at the site of the muscle
- Referred pain—pain felt somewhere else in the body
Common muscles involved in headaches include:
- Upper trapezius
- Suboccipital muscles
- Temporalis
- Masseter
TMJ Muscles and Headaches
The masseter and temporalis muscles are closely associated with the TMJ and play a major role in chewing. When these muscles become overworked and tight, they can refer pain to common headache areas, such as:
- The side of the head
- Above the eye
- Behind the eye
Because referral patterns overlap, it can be difficult to determine whether headaches originate from the neck, jaw, or both. This is why a physical therapy evaluation is so important.
During an evaluation, we assess:
- Muscle tightness
- Jaw opening
- Neck range of motion
Treatment and Long-Term Relief
Physical therapy focuses not only on pain relief, but also on support and strength. Treatments I commonly use include:
- Ultrasound
- Dry needling
- Massage
- Targeted exercise
The goal is to break the pain cycle and strengthen the neck and jaw muscles to provide long-term, and sometimes permanent, relief.
One Simple Starting Point: Tongue Position
One of the most important things I teach patients with headaches and jaw pain is proper tongue placement.
Ideal tongue position:
- The tip of the tongue gently resting on the back of the upper teeth
- Right where the teeth and gums meet
This simple habit is often an excellent starting point.
Our Approach at Align Therapy St. George
At Align Therapy St. George, we specialize in treating TMJ pain and headaches using a whole-body approach, including:
- Neck muscle treatment
- Core activation awareness
- Postural awareness
- Strength training
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you, a family member, or a friend are struggling with headaches or jaw pain, we understand how frustrating this can be. Oral surgeons, workshop participants, and many of our patients share the same experience: they’ve tried everything and are still hurting.
That’s why I offer Discovery Visits—a free, 30-minute consultation with no obligation.
During this visit, I will:
- Feel for tight muscles in the neck, upper back, shoulders, and face
- Check jaw opening and neck movement
- Discuss what’s going on and how I can help
- Determine the best treatment plan specifically for you
📞 Call 435-222-0207 to schedule your Discovery Visit.
Our Mission
At Align Therapy St. George, we recognize that every person is unique and requires individualized care. Our goal is to:
- Identify what’s going on in your body
- Create a treatment plan tailored to your needs
- Support you on your journey to an active, healthy lifestyle
We are here to provide hope to those who have lost hope because of pain.
