Tight jaw/head from stress

[cheeky_chops]

Not sure if an age thing (52), i seem to get myself worked up about little things at work or home and life in general for no real reason - Stress, worry, kids, bills, the future. Often they are little inconsequential things too. Work its deadlines or missing something important, work for myself so its 24/7/365.

Im now strugging with headaches, pain above and around ear into jaw, its all very tender. Self massage and neurofen help but its comes back. Ive worn a night guard for years so i clench naturally. Any tips?

[mcelliott]

Nothing will work until you address the stress in your life.

[Caddyshack]

Lots you can do to help.

Regular deep tissue massage, go for sports massage or harder every 6 weeks and ask them to include your head.

Heat helps bring blood to the area and relieves some inflammation.

Get some microwave heat packs and rest your head and shoulders on them.

Sounds daft but buy a seat back massager - they work quite well and are cheap.

The biggest is taking a little time to relax your mind -10-20 mins a day to practice meditation, get some guided audio.
Also learn to work on diaphragmatic breathing and how to focus on that, also relax your shoulders and sigh.

[cliffords]

cheeky_chops said:

Not sure if an age thing (52), i seem to get myself worked up about little things at work or home and life in general for no real reason - Stress, worry, kids, bills, the future. Often they are little inconsequential things too. Work its deadlines or missing something important, work for myself so its 24/7/365.

Im now strugging with headaches, pain above and around ear into jaw, its all very tender. Self massage and neurofen help but its comes back. Ive worn a night guard for years so i clench naturally. Any tips?

I have to say I have had similar physical pain related to stress. I know not easy or always possible but you have to reduce the stress to reduce the pain

[SlimJim16v]

You need a painkiller with Codeine. Solpadine Max or Nurophen Plus.

[NFT]

I had this, including crippling headaches, heart palpitations and cramps to point I saw someone about it.

If your getting properly worked up, you have to breathe in a certain way which comes incredibly naturally in body stress response (increasing heart rate, blood pressure etc..).

Do a Physiological Sigh, it's a double inhale followed by single long exhale.

Do it three times when stressed and see how much it really helps to receive the Physiological result.

This is really informative and explains a lot. It's Hard Wired response from nervous system.


This guy really makes it seem silly, its just two breaths and one out about the same time to do two in, do reasonably slowly without having to deliberately fill lungs to max or look silly.

Edited by NFT on Friday 8th December 23:06

[rodericb]

How is your blood pressure?

[Red9zero]

I have the same problem and am stuck between it being a dental problem or a medical problem. I did have a really helpful dentist who sorted out a mouth guard and was going to do follow up work, but then left and I have been bounced around unhelpful dentists since then. The doctor, when I last saw him, just um'd and ah'd and said change your job and take some Paracetamol (I can't take anything stronger due to other meds). The pain in my jaw has got worse since I had a tooth out and I suspect knocked my jaw out of line a bit, as my teeth don't line up as they used to. It is rather annoying and painful, as it can prevent me opening my mouth properly sometimes, which can make eating and even talking difficult. I would be interested what solutions are available, having tried various stress relief techniques, beta blockers etc. None seem to work for me, but then I often don't actually realise I am grinding my teeth until my wife tells me. Changing job is not really an option and would probably cause more stress anyway. I did try chewing gum, but I would chomp away like a crazed junkie, which is not a good look

[king arthur]

To deal with the stress:
Exercise is the best medicine. Whatever gets you out of breath, even if it's just a brisk walk.
Ashwaghanda has been shown to lower cortisol the stress hormone. Might help you sleep better.

[Smitters]

Can't advise on what will alleviate stress, but I can confirm that addressing the root cause is the only long term solution. I've been clenching and grinding teeth in my sleep on and off for years. The jaw and tooth ache sucks. Sympathies.

[LivLL]

rodericb said:

How is your blood pressure?

+1

Lots of headaches is a red flag for high blood pressure.

[Red9zero]

LivLL said:

rodericb said:

How is your blood pressure?

+1

Lots of headaches is a red flag for high blood pressure.

Pain above and around ear into jaw is a classic symptom of grinding your teeth (TMJ). The mouth guards help, but they just seem to transfer the pain from your teeth further up the side of your jaw.

[The Selfish Gene]

in 2010 i nearly ended up with what felt like Lockjaw

That's how the doctors described it - I was so stressed working in investment bank *(as an IT person) - I had been clenching my jaw without realising it for seemingly hours at a time.

I got to the point when I struggled to open and was very swollen!

I had also had mega high BP.

As others have said - it's all about relieving your stress in anyway possible. Good luck.

[Wills2]

cheeky_chops said:

Not sure if an age thing (52), i seem to get myself worked up about little things at work or home and life in general for no real reason - Stress, worry, kids, bills, the future. Often they are little inconsequential things too. Work its deadlines or missing something important, work for myself so its 24/7/365.

Im now strugging with headaches, pain above and around ear into jaw, its all very tender. Self massage and neurofen help but its comes back. Ive worn a night guard for years so i clench naturally. Any tips?

Breathing exercises, mindfulness, walking, intense exercise, yoga etc.. they won't make the stress go away but they will help you cope better and if you like a drink cut down or stop if you can.

You have to learn to be in control of your emotions and your thoughts rather than going along for the ride, face one thing everyday that you don't want to do, also have some faith in yourself when it comes to important things decide yourself what is and isn't important that way at least you're in control and for me feeling like you're not is one of the biggest sources of stress.

[cheeky_chops]

Thanks all. Re health - i dont drink too much, i try to cycle 1hr+ twice a week (difficult now with weather) and gym other days. Blood pressure is fine and weight is 81kg for 6ft

Ive found myself becoming more and more agitated/worried by even the smallest things even at home often of my own doing - if i dropped a weetabix and it makes a mess its a disaster! I seem to worry alot - I 1st noticed this when i got divored in 2015 and bought my own house. I had 2 kids and suddenly the st got real... who pays the mortgage if i can't? Covid didnt help and ive been WFH for last 4 years now

In last 6 months kids both left school/college and getting jobs, the mortgage is paid and ive gone 30 years in IT 9-5 to self employed where i decide the days/hrs i work. Its crazy... I should be happy as Mary Poppins! But its given me more time to think.... I was in Aldi at 9am earlier getting the weeks shop stressed thinking id got to be back for 9am. In reality i might have some work to organise but if i do it at 5pm or 8am next morning its fine. I keep thinking i will get used to it....

And thanks for the videso NFT - they are helping. Anyone had any success with councilling and/or anxiety CBT?

[Smitters]

cheeky_chops said:

Thanks all. Re health - i dont drink too much, i try to cycle 1hr+ twice a week (difficult now with weather) and gym other days. Blood pressure is fine and weight is 81kg for 6ft

Ive found myself becoming more and more agitated/worried by even the smallest things even at home often of my own doing - if i dropped a weetabix and it makes a mess its a disaster! I seem to worry alot - I 1st noticed this when i got divored in 2015 and bought my own house. I had 2 kids and suddenly the st got real... who pays the mortgage if i can't? Covid didnt help and ive been WFH for last 4 years now

In last 6 months kids both left school/college and getting jobs, the mortgage is paid and ive gone 30 years in IT 9-5 to self employed where i decide the days/hrs i work. Its crazy... I should be happy as Mary Poppins! But its given me more time to think.... I was in Aldi at 9am earlier getting the weeks shop stressed thinking id got to be back for 9am. In reality i might have some work to organise but if i do it at 5pm or 8am next morning its fine. I keep thinking i will get used to it....

And thanks for the videso NFT - they are helping. Anyone had any success with councilling and/or anxiety CBT?

I read the first bold bit and thought, hmmm. That sounds familiar...

Second bold bit - long story short, yes. Talk to doc, or self refer if your NHS region has something you can access direct. If you have private health like BUPA - it's simple and quick and confidential. There may well be local charities that pair you up with an appropriate counsellor too. It's tempting to just buy a book from Amazon and try and practice CBT, but don't - talking helps massively. Just google your county and mental health and you'll get lots. It's quite popular!

It's not a magic bullet, but I found a couple of things. First, merely the act of getting some help, helped. Second, it's a practice, so it needs little and often, but it does help. I've done a few rounds, each of which has incrementally moved things on for the good. I do dip, but I have a better understanding of the signs (like grinding my teeth) and therefore can implement the strategies I know work for me to combat the creeping decline.

Have a look at the below - this will give you a view of where you're at and also a number to quote when talking to a professional.

https://patient.info/doctor/generalised-anxiety-di...

[shirt]

i have the same, usually one side of the neck or the other, and in the jaw.

for painkiller, naproxen works best for me.

massage, hot bath, not giving as much of a fk about things.

[anonymous-user]

Start boxing

Once you get into sparring, one way or another that stiff Jaw will soon slacken off

Joking apart you really should consider it - its a great way of getting and staying fit both physically and mentally.

Get stuck in

[cheeky_chops]

Smitters said:

Have a look at the below - this will give you a view of where you're at and also a number to quote when talking to a professional.

https://patient.info/doctor/generalised-anxiety-di...

Thanks that made sense and i scored 15/21 eugh...

Ive gone via my private health Vitality and they had similar questionaires, ive got an 15min appointment tomorrow with upto 8 talking therapy sessions included.

Hope they dont tell me to go boxing It might be a good idea actually, i take my wife sailing in a dinghy and she hates focuses so much she says she never thinks of anything else!

Edited by cheeky_chops on Tuesday 12th December 15:41

[Smitters]

cheeky_chops said:

Smitters said:

Have a look at the below - this will give you a view of where you're at and also a number to quote when talking to a professional.

https://patient.info/doctor/generalised-anxiety-di...

Thanks that made sense and i scored 15/21 eugh...

Ive gone via my private health Vitality and they had similar questionaires, ive got an 15min appointment tomorrow with upto 8 talking therapy sessions included.

Hope they dont tell me to go boxing It might be a good idea actually, i take my wife sailing in a dinghy and she hates focuses so much she says she never thinks of anything else!

Edited by cheeky_chops on Tuesday 12th December 15:41

Hope things are going well. I used to go climbing a lot - another activity that demands focusing on the "now". However, as good as the breaks are from the inside of our heads, getting to the root of the issue is important too. That's where I still struggle...