Craniofacial pain refers to any persistent discomfort in the face, neck, or head. The most common forms of craniofacial pain include temporomandibular joint discomfort (TMJ), trigeminal neuralgia, and chronic headaches.
Temporomandibular Joint Pain (TMJ)
TMJ refers to discomfort or malfunctions in the jaw joint, also known as the temporomandibular joint. This condition is more common in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia. Women are more frequently affected than men, with most individuals between the ages of 20 and 40. Symptoms of TMJ include jaw clicking, jaw locking, headaches, earaches, phantom tooth pain, and facial muscle fatigue.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a persistent pain condition affecting specific nerves in the face. It’s more common in women, particularly those over the age of 50. Symptoms may include facial pain, difficulty chewing, speaking, or brushing teeth.
Chronic Headaches
Chronic headaches, including migraines, tension-type headaches, and cluster headaches, are recurring conditions that can significantly affect daily life. Tension headaches are the most common type and can cause mild to moderate pain across the forehead, sides, or back of the head or neck. The sensation may feel like a tight band around the head, often accompanied by scalp, neck, or shoulder tenderness.
Migraines and tension headaches are common forms of chronic headaches. For more information on migraines, please refer to our previous newsletter on symptoms and treatments.
Cluster headaches, although rare, are an intense form of headache that occurs daily for weeks or months at a time. These headaches cause severe pain around one eye and may radiate to the face, head, neck, and shoulders. They are often accompanied by restlessness, excessive tearing, nasal congestion, sweating, facial flushing, or drooping eyelids.
Causes of Craniofacial Pain
Craniofacial pain can result from various causes:
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Macrotrauma: Direct injuries to the face, jaw, or neck, often due to car accidents, sports injuries, or falls.
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Microtrauma: Gradual injuries resulting from stress, poor posture, chronic teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), and sleep disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea. Over time, these factors can overwork the muscles that stabilize the head, neck, and jaw, leading to pain.
Sleep Disorders and Teeth Grinding
Both sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea and snoring) and bruxism (teeth grinding) are common contributors to craniofacial pain. These conditions can strain the muscles and joints that support the head, neck, and jaw, resulting in discomfort.
Seeking Treatment for Craniofacial Pain
Craniofacial pain is not something to take lightly, as it can lead to sleep disturbances, emotional distress, overuse of medication, and a significant impact on your daily life.
If you are experiencing symptoms of craniofacial pain, a physical therapist can help identify the root cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Treatment may include manual therapy techniques to address soft tissue and joint imbalances, modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation, and exercises to improve posture and align the head, neck, and jaw.
If you’re experiencing craniofacial pain, don’t wait to seek help. Contact us at 619.260.0750 today for more information.