Headaches and jaw pain rarely start where they hurt.
In our experience, most headaches, jaw pain, and facial tension are driven from below. When the cervical spine, thoracic spine, rib cage, and shoulders stiffen, the head drifts forward, the upper neck and jaw muscles overwork, and the pain shows up in your head and face. We correct the chain underneath, so the head and jaw can finally relax.
The symptoms
- Headaches at the base of the skull, temples, or behind the eyes
- Jaw pain, clicking, or tightness when chewing
- Clenching or grinding, especially under stress
- Facial tension or pressure
- Headaches that follow long hours at a screen
The hidden causes
- Forward head posture overloading the upper neck
- Stiff cervical and thoracic spine
- Rounded shoulders and a tight chest
- Shallow breathing from a stiff rib cage
- Jaw and neck muscles working overtime to hold the head up
Our plan
- Head-to-toe assessment, with extra attention to the neck, upper back, and jaw
- Hands-on correction of the upper neck, thoracic spine, and rib cage
- Release of overworked jaw, neck, and facial muscles
- Posture and breathing retraining
- A home program and tune-up plan to keep headaches from returning
The principleTake the load off the upper neck and jaw, and the headaches often ease with it.
Above and below head, face & jaw.
Your body moves as one connected chain, from the ankle and foot to the cervical spine. Red marks the link that usually ends up working too hard; blue marks the links we most often find stiff.
Often stiff
See a doctor first if you have:
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any before
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, or rash
- Headache after a head injury
- Weakness, numbness, slurred speech, or vision changes
- Jaw pain with chest pain or shortness of breath
For a medical emergency, call 911.
Can physical therapy really help headaches?
For many headaches that start in the neck, in our experience, yes. Correcting the neck, upper back, and posture that load the head can reduce how often and how hard they hit. We'll tell you at your free consultation whether we think your headaches fit that pattern.
Do you treat TMJ?
Yes. We treat jaw pain and clicking by correcting the jaw muscles and joint along with the neck and posture that often drive them, and we're happy to work alongside your dentist.
Will I need to keep coming back?
Not forever. Once the chain is corrected and your body knows what normal feels like, most people simply come in for occasional check-ups and tune-ups to catch small problems early.
Do I need a referral?
Call us at 817-479-7168 and we'll walk you through what your insurance and situation require.
What are you
waiting for?
We offer a free consultation for anyone who would like to know how Movement Correction Therapy may help them with their persistent pain.
817-479-7168