8 Most Effective Pressure Points for TMJ Relief & Jaw Pain
To help with TMJ relief and jaw pain Acupressure Therapy is one of the best alternative treatments for the disease. By applying pressure point stimulation, it may help ease the pain.
A fact is that applying pressure to the acupoints is easy even when used in combination with medication. Yes, we know medicines can relieve the pain faster, but once you complete your prescription, you can still sit with the annoying pain.
While painkillers reduce the pain for a while, acupressure can help reduce the disorder gradually. Therefore, by applying pressure regularly the results are better.
Not only does the massaging help to ease aches and pains, but it also relaxes the muscles of your face and promotes blood circulation at the same time.
When using acupressure, you will find it helps for headaches and toothache as well. Best of all, it has no side effects on the body, but you need to apply the technique correctly.
So if you suffer from Temporomandibular Disorder, use these eight useful pressure points to relieve TMJ and Jaw Pain.
What caused TMJ Disorder?
In most cases, it is the result of injury to the face. Furthermore, it can also be the result of long-term toothache. What’s more, it can be from grinding your teeth throughout the night.
These days, both children and the aged suffer from temporomandibular disorder as they have weak jawbones. On the other hand, the pain may start lightly and gradually become unbearable.
What are the symptoms of TMJ and Jaw Pain?
People suffering from jaw and TMJ pain may find the following:
- They have a problem chewing food
- Persistent pain between the jaw and teeth
- You have a pain in the front part of your ear that spreads to your cheeks, temple, and ear
- Continuous buzzing in the ear
- Not able to open the mount because it pains
- Constant pain in the back or neck
- Get headaches and migraines
- The cheek pains
Therefore, if you do have these symptoms, it is best to visit a dentist as it may your teeth treatable.
How is TMJ Treated?
When visiting your dentist, he/she will do a physical exam to check the jaw joints. The dentist will listen for grating sounds, clicks, and pops when moving the jaw.
Furthermore, he/ she will check your facial muscles to see if there are problems. You may need to have an X-ray done, and other tests such as an MRI or a CT as the scan shows the bony detail of the jaw.
Depending on what is causing the problem, he/she may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for future treatment. Luckily, not all disorders lead to surgery, and there are other treatments available such as:
- TENS – Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is the use of low-electrical currents to help relax the jaw joint and facial muscles.
- Ultrasound – the therapist applies deep heat to the joint and tender areas to relieve the soreness.
- Trigger Point Injections – the doctor, injects pain or anesthesia into the facial muscles to give relief.
- Radio Wave Therapy – the radio waves help stimulate the jaw and increase blood flow, similar to using acupressure.
What can you do to make TMD more bearable at home?
While taking your medication and applying acupressure, you can also do the following to relieve jaw pain:
- Use cold or moist heat packs applied to the side of your face and temple area for up to 10 minutes.
- You can do some simple jaw stretches if permitted by your dentist. Once completing your stretches hold a warm towel to the side of your face for five minutes.
- Eat soft foods, as it will help ease the pain and movement of the jaw.
Useful Acupressure Points for TMJ Relief:
Here you can find the acupoints to apply pressure to help relieve jaw pain. However, before you start, here are essential things you need to do:
- Breathing – take deep and slow breaths with your eyes closed as it helps you to relax.
- Massage – grab both your ears with your hands and gently rotate them.
- Stretching the facial muscles – contract all your facial muscles by scrunching the eyes, forehead, and mouth as frowning.
- Now squeeze all the muscles firmly and open up as wide as possible similar to stretching.
- Place your hands by the sides of the face and cover them to relax before starting your acupressure treatment.
Pressure points to relieve jaw pain:
GB1 – Gall Bladder 1 Point
The acupoint you find is located in the orbit of your eyes. The pressure points approximately ½ an inch from the eye on both sides. Hold both sides using the middle and ringer finger for up to two minutes and repeat. You can do this throughout the day to relieve headaches, eye redness, foggy vision, and jaw-related pains.
GB 2 – Gall Bladder 2 Point
You find the GB2 point near your ear opening and ideal to use to relieve pressure. Use your thumb and index finger to apply mild pressure to the spot on both sides of the face. Hold the pressure for a moment and repeat the massage a couple of times a day. Using pressure on the Gall Bladder 2 points will help with ear pain problems.
GB20 – Gall Bladder 20 Point
Applying pressure to the acupoint, you may need help from another person. You find the spot located on the backside of your neck. The GB20 is below the base of your skull in the hollow section between your two vertical neck muscles. Alternatively, you can hold your head with both your hands and press on the point with your thumbs. Remember to apply firm pressure for two minutes by doing it four times a day. The pressure point helps relieve neck stiffness, shoulder pain, and headache.
ST6 – Stomach 6 Point
The ST6 (Acupressure Jaw Chariot Point,) you find on the front area of your face in between the upper and lower jaw. Apply firm pressure using your thumbs several times a day. Doing this helps relieve your chewing problem, jaw tension, neck pain, mouth opening disorders, and TMJ Disorder.
SI18 – Small Intestine Point
The acupoint is on the lower edge of your cheekbone below the outer corner of your eye. Place your thumbs on both points and apply firm pressure for up to a minute or two. You can repeat the method up to four times a day to heal swelling in the cheeks, toothache, twitching eyelids, and more.
SI19 – Small Intestine 19 Point
You can find the SI19 point at the outer side of your ear and within reach above the GB2 acupoint. Start by taking a deep breath and applying light pressure with your middle fingertip on both sides. Hold for up to two minutes and repeat up to four times a day. You can use this point to relieve toothache, infection in the ear, and TMJ Disorder.
TW17 – Triple Warmer 17 Point
Below your earlobe on the backside downwards, you find the TW17 point. Use gentle pressure with your thumb and middle finger on both sides. Hold the pressure for a minute and release it. You can stimulate the spot throughout the day to reduce ear discharge, earache, deafness, ear swelling, and jaw pain.
TW21 – Triple Warmer 21 Point
Above the SI19 point about ½ an inch, you find the TW21 acupoint. Press it gently with the index finger or any other finger that is comfortable to use on both sides. Using the point heals stiffness of lips, toothache, and spasms in the jaw.
Final Thoughts
All the above acupressure points for TMJ Disorder and Jaw Pain are for information purposes to help relieve aches and pains. However, we recommend you consult your dentist if you are having severe pain to consult with them what they recommend you do. You can use the pressure points in combination with his/her recommendation to make your facial muscles and jaw relax and rid it of the pain.