Finding Relief from TMJ Pain with Dry Needling and Muscle Therapy in Newport Beach
If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain, clicking, tension, or headaches related to TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), you know how disruptive it can be to your daily life. Many people first turn to their dentist for help with TMJ issues, and while dental care is an important part of treatment, muscle tension often plays a major role in jaw pain. That’s where our team at OC Well Studio in Newport Beach comes in.
Understanding TMJ and Jaw Pain
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull, just in front of your ears. It’s one of the most complex joints in the body because it allows both hinging and sliding motions, helping you chew, speak, and yawn. Surrounding this joint are several key muscles, including the masseter (the powerful chewing muscle along the side of your jaw), the temporalis (the muscle at your temples), and smaller internal muscles like the medial and lateral pterygoids, which help move the jaw side to side. When these muscles become overactive or tight from stress, clenching, or grinding, they can create pain, restricted movement, and even headaches. While night guards or dental adjustments can help protect your teeth, they don’t always address this underlying muscle dysfunction.
How Dry Needling Helps TMJ Pain
At OC Well Studio, we use dry needling to target the overactive muscles both inside and outside the mouth that contribute to jaw pain. This treatment involves placing fine, sterile needles directly into trigger points in the jaw, temples, and neck to release tight bands of muscle. By calming these areas, dry needling improves circulation, reduces irritation, and helps restore balance so the jaw can function more naturally.
Muscle Therapy Inside and Outside the Mouth
In addition to dry needling, we often incorporate gentle massage techniques to the muscles around the jawline, cheeks, and temples. For deeper, more targeted relief, we also provide intraoral massage—a specialized technique that releases the smaller, hard-to-reach muscles inside the mouth, like the pterygoids. These muscles are often overlooked in traditional care but play a critical role in TMJ dysfunction. Combining needling with both external and internal muscle therapy gives patients a comprehensive, lasting solution.
Why Choose OC Well Studio in Newport Beach for TMJ Care
Many patients come to us after seeing a dentist or wearing a night guard and still experiencing pain. Our approach complements dental care by addressing the muscular side of TMJ dysfunction. With over a decade of experience in chiropractic care, acupuncture, and dry needling, our providers tailor each session to reduce jaw pain, headaches, and neck tension while supporting long-term function.
Quick At-Home Tip for Jaw Relaxation
If you tend to clench your teeth at night, try placing your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth before going to sleep. This position naturally encourages the jaw to relax and can reduce nighttime tension.
If you’re searching for TMJ treatment in Newport Beach, whether you’ve already worked with a dentist or are just beginning your journey, we’re here to help. At OC Well Studio, our integrative approach can make a significant difference in how your jaw feels and functions.
Ready to find lasting relief? Book your TMJ dry needling and muscle therapy session today at OC Well Studio in Newport Beach.