Stress and Jaw Pain
Jaw pain and soreness for many people can be the result of stress. Stress is defined as how your body reacts to and manages adverse or demanding circumstances, but continued stress can manifest in physical ways. Clenching your teeth because of stress puts additional strain on your jaw muscles and will increase the pressure on the TMJ jaw joints.
You may have some jaw pain when you are stressed. The jaw and stress have a unique bond. Your jaw pain may very well be a direct result of your stress. You might experience jaw pain, muscle pain, toothaches, or headaches as a result. You may even clench your teeth hard enough that it leads to a fracture, which may end up requiring an extraction.
Managing your stress can help alleviate these discomforts.
Some Suggestions to Reduce Your Stress
Start by identifying what your stressors are. Document the times of day or the reoccurring things in your day that cause your feeling of stress.
- Avoid the stressor altogether or modify your situation – Stress often increases when you are running short on time. Start to prepare ahead of time for situations that you know will be stressful. Establish some obtainable goals and priorities. Also, recognize what you have accomplished. Learn to say No to things that might overload and stress you. Finally, just ask for help.
- Alter your response – If you are unable to avoid the stressor, then try to change how you respond to it. Choose your response versus reacting to it. Take a deep breath and focus on finding some space between the stress trigger and your reaction.
- Accept when things are out of your control – Do not get set back and hampered with being angry. Teach yourself to let it go and then make a list of what you are grateful for. You will be pleasantly surprised.
- Live healthy – Make a deliberate and concerted effort to get on a regular eight-hour sleep schedule on the same daily cycle. Regular exercise will also help boost your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins. The exercise does not have to be strenuous. You can start by just walking for 30 minutes at a comfortable pace for 3 to 5 times a week.
- Find a way to deliberately relax – Unavoidable stress can be balanced out with interests that will help your mind relax. Meditating, listening to music, developing a hobby, performing abdominal breathing, mindfulness or yoga will all help to relax your tension and give your mind a positive focus. It does not matter which activity you choose if it refocuses your attention on something more relaxing and calming.
How long will your jaw pain last from the stress? Flare-ups can last anywhere from two days to several weeks. Symptoms of a TMJ jaw joint flare-up can include pain around your jaw joint, which could be constant or intermittent. By consulting with your dentist, they might suggest a physical therapist.
Visit a Physical Therapist for Relief
If the suggestions above do not help and your jaw pain continues, a physical therapist can help address the pain. Through different techniques such as a massage, manipulation, ultrasound, and dry needling, physical therapy can relieve the stress and help to:
- Reduce jaw pain and your headaches
- Decrease any neck pain
- Minimize the locking of the jaw
- Improve your range of motion of the jaw
- Return you to your normal function and decrease any dietary restrictions