Jaw Pain, Head Pressure, Tinnitus? What Your Muscles Have to Do with It

During my previous work as a dental assistant, I regularly encountered patients suffering from recurring headaches, ear ringing (tinnitus), or pressure in the jaw. The usual suspicion: “Something must be wrong with the teeth.” But in many cases, a closer examination revealed no dental issues at all – instead, the root cause was something else: bruxism, the unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth, usually at night, sometimes during the day.

Many of those affected receive what’s known as a Michigan splint (also called a night guard) to protect the teeth. Yet their symptoms persist. That made me ask: What if grinding isn’t the cause at all, but merely a symptom?

What many don’t know: the real issue often doesn’t lie in the teeth themselves, but in the jaw muscles, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or in tension throughout the neck and shoulder area. These regions are closely interconnected and highly sensitive to stress, poor posture, or emotional strain.

The chewing muscles are part of a highly complex system. Even a slight imbalance can affect the entire cranio-mandibular system. This may lead to jaw pain, limited mouth opening, ear ringing, muscular tension, and even migraines – all without any damage to the teeth themselves.

This is where manual therapy comes into play. Through targeted massage, muscle release, and a holistic look at body posture, tension in the jaw area can be effectively reduced. In this context, massage isn’t a luxury – it’s a powerful therapeutic tool.

It’s important to me to raise awareness of the often-overlooked connection between dentistry and manual bodywork. Close collaboration between therapists and dentists can be the key to lasting relief.

Because real and lasting relief from jaw pain is possible – when we treat the actual cause, not just the symptoms.

Author: Michèle Melanie Jann, Massage therapist