Finding Relief from TMJ Syndrome with Acupuncture
If you’ve ever had jaw pain that makes it hard to chew, talk, or even relax, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with TMJ (short for “temporomandibular joint syndrome”). The TMJ is the small but mighty hinge that connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull. When it’s irritated or out of balance, it can lead to pain, stiffness, clicking, headaches, or even ear discomfort.
The good news is that acupuncture is often an incredibly effective and relaxing way to treat TMJ problems.
Why Acupuncture Helps TMJ
From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture works by:
Relaxing overworked muscles (especially the masseter, which is often tight in people who clench or grind).
Improving blood flow to the joint and surrounding tissues.
Reducing inflammation and calming the body’s pain response.
Relaxing holding patterns in the nervous system, including the trigeminal motor system and the sympathetic nervous system (nerves and brain nuclei that drive clenching)
From a Chinese medicine perspective, TMJ often involves “Qi stagnation”- when energy and circulation get stuck. Acupuncture restores balance and the free flow of Qi, easing both pain and stress.
Key Acupuncture Points for TMJ
While each treatment is tailored to the individual, some points are especially useful for jaw pain and dysfunction:
ST6 (Jiache)- located on the belly of the masseter muscle, this point helps relax jaw tension.
ST7 (Xiaguan)- right in front of the ear, directly affecting the TMJ joint.
LI4 (Hegu)- on the hand between the thumb and index finger, a classic point for overall pain relief and stress reduction.
GB20 (Fengchi)- at the base of the skull, great for neck tension, headaches, and jaw pain that radiates upward.
Taiyang- at the temples, useful when TMJ is paired with headaches or clenching.
Sometimes, points along the shoulders or even the feet are added to address whole-body imbalances that contribute to jaw tension.
A Gentle, Natural Approach
TMJ pain can really interfere with daily life- from eating and speaking to simply feeling comfortable. Acupuncture offers a gentle, natural approach to managing this condition by addressing both the physical tension and the stress that often comes with it.
At Bridge Acupuncture, we’ve helped many patients find lasting relief from jaw pain, clenching, and headaches. If you’ve been struggling with TMJ syndrome, we’d love to work with you on a personalized plan to get you feeling better.