How Jaw and Facial Tension Cause Headaches

Your jaw is closely connected to the muscles of your head, neck, and face. When these muscles become overworked — from clenching, grinding, poor posture, or stress — they can send pain signals that feel like:

• Tension-type headaches

• Throbbing pain near the temples

• Pain around the eyes, ears, or jaw

• Neck and shoulder tightness

• Migraine-like symptoms

 

Even if your headaches don’t seem related to your jaw, undiagnosed TMJ or muscle tension could be playing a role.

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When to See a Specialist

If your headaches are:

• Frequent or daily

• Worse with chewing, stress, or in the morning

• Not responding to medication

• Paired with jaw clicking, facial pain, or neck tension

…it’s time to see a provider trained in orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.

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Headache and Migraine Relief Options

At Colorado TMJ and Facial Pain, we offer evidence-based, non-surgical options to reduce headache frequency and intensity — by treating the root cause.

 

Our treatment options include:

• Trigger Point Injections
  In-office therapy to release tight muscle knots in the jaw, face, and neck that contribute to headaches.

• Botox for Chronic Headaches
  A proven treatment for both migraines and muscle-tension headaches. It relaxes overactive muscles and helps prevent pain before it starts.

• Lifestyle & Postural Coaching
  Small adjustments in sleep habits, posture, and stress management can make a big difference over time.