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TMJ and Migraine Relief

Learn about using Botox to treat facial pain, migraines, TMJ & bruxism.

A migraine is a common type of headache that may have a variety of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. In many people, a throbbing pain is isolated to one side of the head. Some patients suffering from migraines have warning symptoms, known as auras, before the actual headache begins.

The diagnosis for a Migraine usually includes the following criteria:

  • 5 or more headaches within a 3 month span – each lasting between 4 and 72 hours

At least two of the following:

  • Pulsating sensations
  • Unilateral pain
  • Moderate to severe discomfort
  • Pain aggravated with exertion

And one of the following symptoms:

  • Light and sound sensitivity
  • Nausea and/or vomiting

Types of Migraines include:

  • Episodic – defined as less than 15 migraine headaches per month
  • Chronic – defined as 15 or more migraine headaches per month
  • Episodic migraine with aura
  • Chronic migraine with aura
  • Chronic migraine without an aura
Trigger Points are defined as hyper-irritable points in the skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fiber. Trigger Points can be easily identified by holding palpation for 6-10 seconds at 4-8lbs of pressure. Myalgia will have no referral of pain, meaning the site and source of pain are the same. Myofascial pain will have a pain referral to another location, the site and source of pain are different. Trigger points occur at various sites in the head and neck.

TMJ, TMD, and Myofascial pain refer to different pathologies affecting the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related facial structures. The TMJ and its associated muscles control chewing and movement of the jaw. It is a hinge joint connecting the mandible to the temporal bone of the skull.   TMJ pain is often the result of issues with the joint and/or surrounding muscles including, but not limited to, grinding/clenching of teeth, stress in facial muscles, dislocation of the disc, arthritis or trauma to the jaw.

Symptoms of TMJ related facial pain include:

  • Pain and tenderness in the face, jaw, neck, temples and shoulders
  • Limited range of motion concerning the jaw
  • Feeling of jaw being stuck or locked in position
  • Clicking, popping sounds in the jaw when opening and closing
  • Tense muscles in the face and neck
  • Difficulty chewing or feeling teeth aren’t coming together properly

Radiesse

Why grow old gracefully when there’s no need to?! Over time what was once healthy young skin begins to lose its elasticity and volume. The skin’s natural collagen starts to break down, facial volume diminishes, wrinkles and facial lines appear. You may even begin to look older than you feel.

The reality is there are ways to slow down or reverse the effects of aging. You can bring back that youthful look and replenish your natural collagen by restoring lost volume with Radiesse. The Radiesse facial injection treatment has a unique formula that stimulates the production of new collagen helping to correct lines and wrinkles for up to a year.

Radiesse consists of calcium-based microspheres in a water-based gel with lidocaine for nearly pain-free injections. Areas of the face that are treatable include:

  • Facial wrinkles
  • Smile lines
  • Frown lines
  • Marionette lines

Radiesse can actually help restore new skin beneath the surface – restoring fullness and an overall youthful look without the need for invasive surgery.

Treatment options for facial pain and headaches vary based on the type and cause of pain. It’s beneficial to utilize conservative options when treating facial pain. After receiving a proper diagnosis the treating clinician will determine what treatment plan is best.

Treatments options include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound, trigger-point injections, therapeutic Botox injections, ethyl chloride, low level laser therapy. TENS and laser light wave therapy send low levels of electrical or radio waves of energy to the affected area to stimulate blood flow to the joint and surrounding area.

Botox injections are being used more frequently in dental offices as “off label” treatments for more troublesome maladies such as TMD. Studies have shown patients who received these injections experienced significant improvement in pain, function, ability to open their mouth and levels of tenderness to palpation. Only your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for this treatment, the frequency of injections will depend on the severity of your condition.

To achieve a successful outcome, it is important for your dentist to use the correct injection technique, as well as follow the appropriate dosage guidelines.

TMJ Overview

What is the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)?

The temporomandibular joints connect the jawbone to the skull. Located at the sides of the head near each ear, these joints play an essential role in eating, speaking, and making facial expressions. In fact, the tmj joint is one of the most frequently used and complex joints in the entire body.

TMJ symptoms can happen when the temporomandibular joints stop working properly. This can happen for many reasons and result in chronic ear pain, jaw stiffness and soreness, difficulty opening the mouth, jaw popping or jaw clicking, and neck pain migraine headaches. Sufferers of TMJ pain may experience either sharp pain or a dull, constant ache.

These symptoms can help physicians effectively give TMJ treatment options for sufferers of TMJ pain, based on each patient’s unique needs. General dentists, are typically sought for TMJ diagnosis and care. These health care professionals can provide more information on what causes the condition, how it is treated, and other TMJ topics.

TMJ Symptoms

TMJ syndrome is a condition that occurs when the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects the upper and lower jaw is misaligned or stressed. This can cause pain in the jaw, the face, and in extreme cases, can also cause neck pain and shoulder pain. The causes of TMJ syndrome require careful analysis. Once the causes have been determined, there are a multitude of TMJ treatment options available from dentists, including pain relief through the application of mouth guards, bite therapy, and TMJ exercises.

Treatment for TMJ Pain

TMJ treatment, referred to by some dentists as TMJ therapy, includes many options. Some of the options are mouth guards, bite therapy and TMJ exercises. This painful condition of the jaw and neck area can also be alleviated by injecting Botox® into the sight. The tension and pain associated with TMJ is relaxed as a result. The Botox® can be used as a chronic pain treatment to alleviate TMJ headaches and all other pain and discomfort associated with TMJ.

The America Academy of Facial Esthetics offer a exclusive course on using Botox® to alleviate discomfort associated with TMJ and other therapeutic benefits. The course is 8 hours long with live hands on patient training. For more information or to sign up for a course check out our links for our Botox® Therapeutic Course and our Botox® and Dermal Fillers Esthetics Course.

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