What Is TMJ Pain (and Why It Matters)
- Ben Tolson
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain — often also called TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction) — affects the joints and muscles that control jaw movement. It can cause:
Jaw pain or tenderness
Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw
Headaches, earache, neck tension
Difficulty chewing or opening your mouth comfortably
Unable to relax your jaw
TMJ issues are common and can be triggered by stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw tension, trauma, or chronic muscular strain. Often, the muscles around the jaw, face, neck and shoulders become over-active and sensitive, leading to a cycle of pain and limited movement. This is becoming more common in today's age of postural related issues.
Understanding the Myofascial Structures in TMJ Pain
One reason temporomandibular pain can be persistent is because it doesn’t just involve the joint itself — it also involves multiple muscles, fascia and soft-tissue structures that work together to move your jaw.
Key Muscles That Influence TMJ Function
According to detailed anatomical descriptions used in clinical practice:
Masseter — the powerful chewing muscle attaching from the cheekbone to the jaw, crucial for bite force.
Temporalis — elevates and retracts the jaw and influences how the joint tracks during movement.
Medial & Lateral Pterygoids — deeper muscles that help open, protrude and side-to-side movements of the jaw.
Buccinator and Fascial Layers — these connective tissues blend with muscles and help coordinate jaw activity with facial expression and chewing functions.
These muscles are not isolated — they are enveloped by a fascia network that connects them to the temporomandibular joint, skull base and even the neck. Tension, trigger points, or restriction within any of these tissues can lead to referred pain, limited mouth opening, headaches or TMJ clicking.
This wide myofascial influence helps explain why TMJ pain often goes beyond the joint itself — and why treatment focused solely on the joint may miss key contributing factors.
Why Myofascial Release & Massage Matter in Treatment
Research supports the idea that addressing myofascial tension and muscle dysfunction in addition to joint mechanics can improve outcomes for TMJ-related pain and movement limitations:
Manual therapy, including myofascial release and muscle massage, is shown to improve muscle relaxation, reduce pain, and increase jaw opening.
Targeted soft tissue work on muscles around the jaw and neck can increase jaw and cervical mobility, especially when myofascial pain is present.
A home-based physical therapy routine that includes muscle stretching and control exercises has been shown to enhance function and reduce pain more than education alone.
This evidence supports the integrated clinical approach we use — combining acupuncture, massage and myofascial techniques — to address TMJ pain at the source rather than only managing symptoms.
Why I Use Both Fascial Manipulation + Acupuncture for TMJ Pain
At my Clinic in Bristol, my approach to TMJ pain combines fascial manipulation with acupuncture — two complementary techniques that address both the muscle-connective tissue system and the nervous system’s pain signaling to deliver deeper relief.
Acupuncture as a Safe, Supportive Treatment Option
Acupuncture is recognised in reputable oral health resources as a valid option for some people with TMJ pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Acupuncture and acupressure are sometimes chosen by patients seeking a natural, non-pharmaceutical way to ease jaw and facial muscle discomfort. Clinical evidence also supports its role in reducing pain and improving jaw movement compared to sham (placebo) treatments in people with TMD, showing significant pain reduction and improved functional outcomes in controlled studies.
Fascial Manipulation & Myofascial Release for Jaw Function
TMJ pain often stems not just from the joint itself, but from the myofascial network — the connective tissue and muscles that support chewing, speech and posture. Manual fascial manipulation and myofascial release help:
Improve tissue mobility
Release trigger points in the jaw, neck, and face
Reduce abnormal tension patterns that contribute to pain
This type of hands-on work is especially useful when muscular and fascial restrictions are present — something we assess in every TMJ evaluation.
Why Combining Both Works Better
Using acupuncture together with fascial manipulation allows me to:
✔ Calm neuromuscular pain pathways (acupuncture)
✔ Address soft tissue and fascial tension (manual therapy)
✔ Improve movement quality and jaw function
✔ Reduce strain on surrounding muscles and joints
This multimodal approach reflects both evidence-informed practice and clinical experience helping patients in Bristol manage persistent TMJ discomfort more effectively than using either approach in isolation.
Expert TMJ Treatment in Bristol — Book with Confidence
If you’re dealing with jaw pain, clicking, headaches, facial tension or neck discomfort, it’s important to work with a practitioner who understands the full musculoskeletal and myofascial picture — not just the symptoms.
Why Choose Treatment with Ben Tolson?
I bring together clinical experience, formal training, and evidence-informed practice to treat TMJ pain safely and effectively:
✔ Published author in the field of manual therapy and musculoskeletal health
✔ BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture
✔ Fascial Manipulation® Levels 1 & 2 certified
✔ Over 16 years of hands-on clinical experience treating complex pain conditions
✔ Specialised focus on TMJ, myofascial pain, and jaw-neck-head relationships
This combination allows me to treat TMJ pain using both acupuncture and advanced fascial manipulation, addressing the joint, muscles, fascia, and nervous system together — an approach many patients find more effective than isolated treatments.
Ready to Start Feeling Better?
TMJ pain doesn’t have to be something you “just live with”. With the right assessment and treatment plan, many people experience meaningful relief and improved jaw function.
Appointments are available in Bristol, and all treatments are tailored to your specific symptoms, history, and goals. If in doubt, book a free 15 minute consultation and see me in person or have a chat by phone.
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