Jaw Pain can be Helped

Tension in the jaw can often be helped by implementing some safe and easy stretches and focusing on your posture. People in our office often get relief, simply by following the tips to reduce jaw pain that are provided,

Jaw pain can be caused by numerous factors which includes:

  • teeth issues]
  • old injuries
  • degeneration
  • clenching of the jaw. Stress can initiate the clenching of the jaw during the day and at night. It can be difficult to work out if you are clenching your jaw at night., however if you wake up with pain, then you may be clenching in your sleep.

What can you do?

Today we are going to go through some work you can do on your own. Firstly, it’s important to understand how your jaw joint works and then we are going to do some strengthening exercising, followed by some massaging.

Remember to go gentle and do not aggravate your jaw pain.

1. Get feel of how your jaw is moving

Sit upright with shoulders back and relaxed. Gently open your mouth and close it – how does it feel? Is the movement smooth or is there a zig zag in the opening or closing or both?

Now with mouth open slightly, move lower jaw side to side. Is it easier going one way or the other?

Next, try jutting jaw out in front. Can you do that and does it hurt?

2. Stregthen

While sitting upright, bring one palm up to your lower jaw, open mouth slightly and then gently push against jaw without moving jaw for 5 seconds. Repeat on other side.

Next open mouth slightly. Put finger tips of one hand on lower teeth and pull down on without moving the jaw, holding for 5 seconds.

Place fingers on chin, ensuring your mouth is slightly open, then push directly back in a gentle fashion without moving the jaw. Hold for 5 seconds.

3. Recheck your movement

Redo the steps in the first task of assessing your jaw movement. Is there more movement?

4. Massage muscles

Place flats of your fingers on the muscles in front of the jaw. Make some circular movements with your fingers and very gently massage the masseter muscle. Linger on a sore spot to massage the area and be mindful not to cause pain.    

These tips above should not be aggravating your jaw pain.

Next step if pain persists

If you have tried these exercises to reduce jaw pain,  then it may be advisable to see a dentist to rule out teeth issues. Visiting a chiropractor or osteopath can help to alleviate the symptoms if the issue is not teeth related.

Feel free to comment below or call us on 9329 1118 if you need to speak to a chiropractor or book an appointment.

 

Find out how much water you should be drinking daily, CLICK HERE.  Is it advisable to eat before exercising – to find out more CLICK HERE.

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Categories Posture
 
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