8 Most Effective Pressure Points for TMJ Relief & Jaw Pain

8 Most Effective Pressure Points for TMJ Relief & Jaw Pain

Acupressure is one of the options I reach for when my jaw aches. Pressing on the right points may help ease TMJ pain, and it doesn’t take much kit or skill to try.

Pressing these points is simple, and you can do it alongside medication. Medicine often works faster, sure. But the ache has a habit of coming back once the prescription ends.

Painkillers ease things for a while. Acupressure works more slowly, and using it regularly tends to give better results over time.

A gentle massage helps too. It eases the ache, loosens tight face muscles, and gets the blood moving.

People also use acupressure for headaches and toothaches. It has no side effects on the body, but you do need to use the technique correctly.

If you live with Temporomandibular Disorder, try these eight pressure points for TMJ and jaw pain.

What causes TMJ Disorder?

Most of the time it starts with an injury to the face. A long-term toothache can set it off too, and so can grinding your teeth through the night.

Children and older people both get temporomandibular disorder, since their jawbones are weaker. The pain often starts mild. Then it builds, sometimes until it’s hard to bear.

What are the symptoms of TMJ and Jaw Pain?

If your jaw or TMJ hurts, you might notice some of this:

• 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
• I am not able to open the mount because it pains
• Constant pain in the back or neck
• Get headaches and migraines
• The cheek pains

If that sounds like you, see a dentist. Your teeth may be treatable.

How is TMJ Treated?

At the dentist, they’ll examine your jaw joints. As you move your jaw, they’ll listen for grating sounds, clicks, and pops.

They’ll check your facial muscles for problems too. You may need an X-ray or other tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan, since the scan shows the bony detail of the jaw.

Depending on the cause, they may send you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for further treatment. Not every case ends in surgery, though. Other treatments are available, such as:

• TENS—Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation uses 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 ease the soreness.
• Trigger Point Injections – the doctor injects pain or anesthesia into the facial muscles to give relief.
• Radio Wave Therapy uses radio waves to stimulate the jaw and increase blood flow, similar to acupressure.

What can you do to make TMD more bearable at home?

Alongside your medication and acupressure, these help with jaw pain too:

• Use cold or moist heat packs on your face and temple area for 10 minutes.
• If your dentist says it’s okay, do some simple jaw stretches. When you’re done, hold a warm towel to the side of your face for five minutes.
• Eat soft foods. They’re easier on the jaw and help ease the pain.

Valid Acupressure Points for TMJ Relief:

Here are the points to press for jaw pain. Before you start, do these few things first:

1. Breathing – take deep, slow breaths with your eyes closed. It helps you relax.
2. Massage – hold both ears with your hands and rotate them gently.
3. Stretching the facial muscles: Scrunch up your eyes, forehead, and mouth, as if you were frowning, so all your facial muscles contract.
4. Now, squeeze all the muscles firmly, then open them up as wide as you can, like a stretch.
5. Place your hands by the sides of your  face and cover them, and relax for a moment before you start.

Pressure points to relieve jaw pain:

GB1 – Gall Bladder 1 Point

You’ll find this point in the orbit of your eyes, about ½ an inch from the eye on both sides. Hold both sides with your middle and ring finger for up to two minutes, then repeat. You can do this throughout the day for headaches, eye redness, foggy vision, and jaw-related pains.

GB 2 – Gall Bladder 2 Point

GB2 sits near the opening of your ear. Press it with your thumb and index finger, gently, on both sides of the face. Hold for a moment, and repeat the massage twice a day. Pressure on the gallbladder 2 points will help with ear pain.

GB20 – Gall Bladder 20 Point

You may want help with this one. The spot is on the back of your neck. GB20 sits below the base of your skull, in the hollow between your two vertical neck muscles. Or hold your head with both hands and press with your thumbs. Do it four times daily, with firm pressure for two minutes. It helps with neck stiffness, shoulder pain, and headache.

ST6 – Stomach 6 Point

ST6 (Acupressure Jaw Chariot Point) sits on the front of your face, between the upper and lower jaw. Press firmly with your thumbs several times a day. It helps with chewing problems, jaw tension, neck pain, mouth opening disorders, and TMJ Disorder.

SI18 – Small Intestine Point

This point is on the lower edge of your cheekbone, below the outer corner of your eye. Put your thumbs on both points and press firmly for up to a minute. Repeat up to four times daily to heal swelling in the cheeks, toothache, twitching eyelids, and more.

SI19 – Small Intestine 19 Point

SI19 is on the outer side of your ear, just above the GB2 acupoint. Take a deep breath, then press lightly with your middle fingertip on both sides. Hold for up to two minutes and repeat up to four times daily. People use this point for toothache, an infection in the ear, and TMJ Disorder.

TW17 – Triple Warmer 17 Point

TW17 is below your earlobe, on the back side, downwards. Press gently with your thumb and middle finger on both sides. Hold for a minute, then let go. You can use this spot throughout the day to reduce ear discharge, earache, deafness, swelling, and jaw pain.

TW21 – Triple Warmer 21 Point

TW21 is about ½ an inch above the SI19 point. Press it gently with your index finger, or whichever finger feels comfortable, on both sides. Using the point heals the tiffness of lips, toothache, and spasms in the jaw.

Final Thoughts:

Those are the points I use for TMJ Disorder and jaw pain, shared here for information to help with aches and pains. If the pain is severe, see your dentist and follow what they recommend. You can use these points alongside their advice to relax your facial muscles and jaw and relieve pain.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jian Times

Last updated: October 22, 2026