How Botox Relieves TMJ Symptoms Like Headaches

You deserve to live without pain. And your quality of life can be improved with treatment that doesn’t impede your ability to enjoy the things you love. When you’re living with TMJ, your pain management and functionality determines so much of how you navigate everything.

There are plenty of articles about the benefits of using Botox superficially, but less about the incredible benefits it has for those with TMJ.

How does Botox address the symptoms of TMJ?

Your temporomandibular joint is where your jawbone meets your skull. It helps your mouth hinge open and closed, and gives you the ability to speak and eat with ease. If you live with the symptoms of TMJ, you know just how vital those moments of pain relief truly are, especially when they impact your ability to live with ease at home, at work, and everywhere in between. 

How does Botox work?

Whether it’s a ringing in your ears, clicking sounds in your jaw when you open and close your mouth, or swelling in your face, TMJ symptoms can put a damper on just about anything. Botox injections for TMJ work to prohibit certain muscles from engaging in high-power clenching and grinding–sending nerve-blocking signals that freeze muscle contractions throughout your jaw. Botox-injected muscles then become unable to contract, alleviating the debilitating tension that follows.

Botox helps to relax the muscles and tension around your jaw to alleviate pain 

Living with chronic pain is life-altering. TMJ symptoms can cause migraines, depression, and deplete your appetite. With TMJ disorder, you may find yourself grinding, or clenching your teeth, experiencing neck and shoulder pain with tension headaches, sore cheeks, and even more discomfort. Botox injections are one step in the direction to relax those muscles and give your jaw and headache tension a break. 

What can you expect from your Botox for TMJ treatment?

Whether you’re worried about the injectable part of the Botox treatment or the healing aspect, there are probably a bunch of questions spinning on a rolodex through your mind. The good news is, you’ll be working with an injection specialist, whose primary goal is to keep you informed, comfortable, and healing with confidence. 

You'll have a consultation with your specialist and discuss your treatment plan

Prior to your TMJ treatment, you’ll work with a specialist to discuss the scope of your treatment, and what to expect. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and talk with your provider about what your day-to-day life looks like living with TMJ.

Expect immediate results and a quick healing process!

There are a lot of “treatments” that are thrown around among the TMJ community. And while you might experience a slight improvement within a day or two of your treatment, the real relief will start about 7-10 days post-injection. 

How long does a Botox treatment effectively treat TMJ symptoms?

One Botox injection to treat TMJ can last up to twelve months, and that’s part of why your treatment plan may consist of multiple injections over the course of several months. The hope is to create a strong foundation for your body to support your muscles in resting. And outside of the regular benefits, there are quite a few positive benefits to using Botox for TMJ, like the slimming of your face and restoration of its youthful glow.

Tips for at-home healing and ease after your appointment

While healing from your TMJ Botox injection is low maintenance and easy, following these next tips will keep you feeling extra great after your appointment. 

Avoid massaging your face and be aware of your posture to keep side effects at bay

After your botox for TMJ treatment, it’s important to be aware of your posture and keep your injection site free of irritation. Don't rub or massage the treated area for at least 24 hours after your appointment. If exercise is a typical part of your day, you'll want to wait 48 hours before you head to your favorite cycling class. 

Let Emergency Fix help you find comfort with Botox!

You get to determine what pain relief looks like for your TMJ, and if you’ve been searching high and low for a treatment that actually provides a reprieve from the endless discomfort of those symptoms, you’ve finally arrived! Let Emergency Fix help you step a little closer to a life full of relief with Botox injections for your TMJ.