Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture London Chelsea, Kensington and Richmond

Our jaws play a crucial role in our daily lives, enabling us to speak, eat, and express ourselves. However, when jaw pain and tightness arise, these seemingly simple tasks can become challenging and uncomfortable. These symptoms often stem from issues with the chewing muscles, causing discomfort and restricting normal jaw movement. The Chewing Muscles The muscles responsible for chewing are a complex network of tissues and ligaments that work in harmony to facilitate the movement of the jaw. The primary chewing muscles include the temporalis, masseter, and pterygoid muscles. These muscles coordinate the opening, closing, and lateral movements of the jaw, allowing us to bite, chew, and speak. Causes of Jaw Pain and Tightness Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ): TMJ is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. It can cause jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth, and restricted jaw movement.

Dental pain is a prevalent issue worldwide that can cause discomfort, difficulty in chewing, and general symptoms such as headaches or earaches. Dental pain can also have a significant impact on sleep, school or work performance, and overall productivity, often necessitating a visit to the dentist for consultation. However, acupuncture therapy has emerged as a potential solution for alleviating dental pain. Research studies have shown that acupuncture therapy can reduce the need for analgesic medication in various types of pain, including dental pain. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving dental pain. A review that included 16 such studies found that the majority of trials indicated that acupuncture is effective in dental pain relief. The review concluded that acupuncture can be an effective option for relieving dental pain. A more recent systematic review evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture compared to other pain-relieving approaches in the tre