TMJ Dysfunction & Migraine Management

Botulin Toxin has effectively been used in the treatment and management of headaches and migraines from associated tension of the head and neck muscles. 

Treatments can provide relief from jaw pain, headaches, migraines, neck and shoulder pain by causing relaxation of the muscles.

A common cause of headaches that we treat patients for in clinic stem from issues with the masseter muscle and temporalis muscles. These are the primary muscles that function as part of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

The Masseter Muscle:

Constant stimulation of the masseter (jaw) muscle can lead to its over development and enlargement. Not only does this contribute to widening the lower face and the appearance of a square jaw, it can also be the source of chronic pain. 

Causes of overstimulation and hypertrophy (growth) of the masseter:

• Bruxism - the medical term for teeth clenching and grinding, either while awake or asleep, which can lead to physical pain and or dental problems.  Chronic clenching or grinding can cause headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, earaches, facial pain, and very commonly migraines. Dental problems from bruxism include loss of tooth enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, and flattening and/or chipping of the teeth. Patients who grind and clench their teeth while sleeping frequently wake up with a sore jaw and often still feel tired.
• Stress &/or Anxiety -One of the primary physical manifestations of anxiety is muscle tension. According to experts, the nerve pathway from your jaw muscles to the part of your brain that controls the fight-or-flight response activates when you are stressed. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and patients on the spectrum with neurodivergent characteristics such as ADHD statistically report higher incidence rates of physical manifestations of overstimulated masseters, particularly those medicated with stimulant medication.
• Daily Habits - chewing on gum exercises and strengthens your masseter muscle in the same way training with weights can increase skeletal muscle mass. 

Injecting directly into the masseter muscle using Antiwrinkle treatment relaxes the muscle enough to stop the behaviours such as clenching and grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw that lead to overstimulation and muscle hypertrophy. Relaxing the muscle significantly reduces the associated wear and tear on the teeth and joints. Damage to the TMJ and headaches are significantly reduced or eliminated. Movements such as speaking, eating and facial expressions are not affected at all with correct treatment. reducing muscle tension and strength and significantly minimising or eradicating associated symptoms.

If you are someone who has had prolonged overstimulation of the masseter, you may also experience hypertrophy of the temporalis muscle too as prolonged masseter hypertrophy can also lead to the temporalis hypertrophy. 

This is due to the simultaneous activation of both the temporalis and masseter when we clench/grind/bite/speak and chew.  

One of the primary symptoms of an enlarged temporalis muscle other than visual widening of the upper third, are temporal cluster headache/migraines. These symptoms occur due to the position of the temporal artery. The Temporal artery courses directly through the belly of the temporal muscle. When there is tension in the muscle, the muscle contracts squeezing the artery and we experience that we’ll know ‘throb’ behind the eye, often mistaken for sinus headaches.

Treatment of the temporalis muscle in conjunction with the masseter can often provide tremendous relief from chronic headaches and migraines.

Botulimn Toxin can also be placed in the muscles at the back of the head and neck to provide relief from migraine symptoms when necessary. 

Determining a suitable treatment plan comes down to effective consultation and history taking by your treatment provider. It is important to understand the primary origin of the pain to effectively localise and treat the appropriate muscles. 

If you would like to know more about treatment of the masseter for relief of chronic pain or for the benefits of facial sliming procedures, please book in a consultation to discuss treatment options, pricing and to determine if this treatment is suitable for you.

All wrinkle relaxer treatments are charged per unit. 

Dose determined on an individual basis during consultation.

Cosmetic treatments carry risks and may not be suitable for everyone. A consultation is performed prior to every treatment. Cosmetic injectables are invasive medical procedures carrying risks that need to be discussed with a qualified health practitioner. Individual results vary.