The holiday season in Greensboro, NC, is full of excitement—family gatherings, shopping, and delicious food. But for many, it can also bring an unwelcome guest: TMJ pain. Whether it’s jaw discomfort, ear pain, headaches, or tension from holiday stress, managing these symptoms is essential to enjoying the season.
At Gate City Physio, we specialize in natural TMJ relief and helping you manage headaches, jaw pain, and related issues. Here are five practical, physical therapist-approved tips to keep jaw pain at bay during the holidays:
1. Relax Your Jaw Throughout the Day
One of the most common causes of TMJ pain is clenching or grinding your teeth, which often happens without you realizing it. If you’re dealing with headaches, ear pain, or jaw tightness, take a moment to notice your jaw position.
Your teeth should rest slightly apart, with your tongue lightly touching the roof of your mouth. When you catch yourself clenching, take a deep breath, relax your jaw, and allow it to return to a neutral position. This simple adjustment can reduce strain on your TMJ and ease tension.
2. Avoid Overworking Your Jaw
Holiday foods in Greensboro can be tempting, but tough meats, crunchy snacks, and sticky treats can overwork your jaw muscles. If you’re dealing with TMJ pain or headaches, give your jaw a break by opting for softer foods like soups, mashed potatoes, or smoothies. This can also help alleviate ear pain or jaw tightness caused by excessive chewing.
3. Try Gentle TMJ Stretches and Exercises
Keeping your jaw mobile can provide natural TMJ relief and reduce symptoms like ear pain and headaches. One simple exercise to try:
Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
Slowly open your mouth until you feel a gentle stretch (stop if you feel pain).
Close your mouth slowly.
Repeat this 5-10 times to ease tension and improve jaw mobility.
These types of exercises are a core part of what we teach at Gate City Physio to help Greensboro residents manage TMJ pain naturally.
4. Use Heat or Cold Therapy
If you experience TMJ pain or ear pain, applying a warm compress to the sides of your jaw can relax tight muscles and improve blood flow. If you notice swelling or acute discomfort, try a cold pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce inflammation. Use heat or cold for 10-15 minutes as needed, especially after a busy day of holiday activities.
5. Manage Stress to Prevent Jaw Clenching
Stress is a big contributor to TMJ pain, headaches, and even ear pain. This season, carve out a little time to relax with deep breathing or mindfulness exercises. Diaphragmatic breathing, in particular, can calm your nervous system and ease tension in your jaw:
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
Breathe in through your nose, allowing your belly to rise.
Exhale slowly through your mouth.
Just a few minutes of this can help you reset and manage stress naturally.
Find TMJ Relief in Greensboro, NC
If jaw pain, headaches, or ear pain are interfering with your holiday season, it may be time to seek professional care. At Gate City Physio in Greensboro, NC, we specialize in natural headache relief and TMJ treatments tailored to your needs. From hands-on therapy to guided exercises, we focus on addressing the root causes of your pain for long-lasting results.
Don’t let TMJ pain hold you back this season. Give us a call to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can help you enjoy the holidays pain-free.
Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season,Dr. Corey Hillman and the Gate City Physio Team
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