Headaches / TMJ

headache

According to the National Headache Foundation, the statistics concerning headaches are astonishing!

  • Over 45 million Americans are suffering from chronic, recurring headaches. This number is larger than the 33 million sufferers of asthma, diabetes and coronary heart disease combined.
  • 5 million suffer from migraines annually. This equates to one in four households having at least one migraine sufferer.
  • It is estimated that industry loses $50 billion per year due to absenteeism and medical expenses caused by headache, and migraine sufferers lose more than 157 million workdays each year.
  • In excess of 4 billion dollars are spent annually on over-the-counter pain relievers for headache. Many which are actually ineffective for many headache sufferers.

Up to 50% of the people suffering from head, neck, or facial pain possibly could owe some of their pain to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

Your Headaches could be due to TMJ Dysfunction if you report one or more of the following:

  • Occasional or episodic head, neck, or shoulder aches and pains without a certain cause.
  • Wake up in the morning with head, neck, or jaw aches
  • Tension headaches
  • Recurring ear pain and/or tinnitus (particularly with no ear problems previously diagnosed by a physician).
  • Pain in temples and forehead unrelated to eye strain or eyesight problems.
  • Jaw feels sore or tired after chewing
  • Past history of an accident which resulted in a whiplash injury that is now chronic in nature.
  • Your jaw feels tight or stiff and/or opens in a crooked instead of straight path.
  • Popping, clicking, or grinding sounds in your jaw and ears when you open and close your mouth.
  • Feel you have sinus headaches that are not accompanied by congestion, sneezing, or runny nose.
  • Clenching or grinding of teeth either noted by yourself or others
  • Signs of damage from teeth grinding regardless if you are aware that you grind your teeth.

TMJ Therapy

Dr. Barr will evaluate your bite and jaw joint to see if the headaches are caused by TMJ Dysfunction. Treatment can be splint therapy worn at night and adjusting the bite so the teeth can contact better thus decreasing the stress on the jaw joint.

For answers to your questions and to schedule an appointment at 812-372-5101


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