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Symptoms
- Dull, aching head pain
- A sensation of tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head
- Tenderness on your scalp, neck, or shoulder muscles
Tension Headaches
The most common form of headaches is a tension headache. These can occur due to repetitive motions or poor posture in the neck/head.
Musculoskeletal Headaches
Musculoskeletal headaches occur when there are significant amounts of tension in the neck when the neck muscles and connective tissues are torn or strained. This can lead to agonizing pain felt in the neck and in the face and shoulders.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are also related to neck pain, involving the top three vertebrae of the neck. These headaches can develop due to certain conditions, such as a concussion or arthritis, but work-related strain can also trigger a cervicogenic headache.
One of our highly trained practitioners will conduct an evaluation and ask questions about your health history and symptoms, in order to determine what type of headache you are experiencing and where the pain is stemming from. A treatment plan will then be designed specifically for you and your recovery.
For more information, contact Vineyard Complementary Medicine.
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- Headaches
- Jaw popping
- Locking of the jaw
- Pain in the jaw
- Pain in the temple and earache
- Sore jaw muscle
- Difficulty chewing or yawning
- Clicking noise when you open and shut your mouth
The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull. If there is an injury to this joint or it becomes damaged, it can cause TMJ syndrome. TMJ can also be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, gum chewing, arthritis, teeth grinding or jaw injury. It’s important to realize that the temporomandibular joint is a complex and important structure comprised of bones, tendons and muscles, and you may have pain on one or both sides of the jaw.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture are effective in the treatment of TMJ. A physical therapist, occupational therapist, or acupuncturist will analyze your jaw mobility and release muscle tension in the neck and head area. A comprehensive evaluation is done of the neck, shoulder girdle, and thoracic spine to determine if those structures are causing your symptoms. The goal of physical therapy and acupuncture is to restore the interaction of the muscles and joints and to restore normal function. Treatment may consist of different modalities. Active modalities include soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, myofascial techniques and jaw exercises. Electric stimulation and ultrasound may be used to decrease muscle tension and provide pain relief. In addition, a physical therapist can educate you on dietary changes that will decrease stress on the jaw joint.
Be sure to make a request to schedule a one-on-one consultation and a complete, thorough evaluation. Our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and acupuncturists have helped many who suffer from TMJ disorder and can help you too.
For more information, contact Vineyard Complementary Medicine.
