Mulberry Osteopaths

21 Manor Place,
Edinburgh EH3 7DX
0131 225 2012

Osteopaths, Jaws and Sinuses

One of our osteopaths, Tom, recently went on a continuing professional development course to brush up his knowledge and skills on treating jaw pain, blocked sinuses, and headaches, including migraine.

We’re sort of out of the snotty winter cold season and, believe it or not, it won’t be long now until hay fever season kicks in. Whether it’s because of a virus or an allergy the sinuses can become blocked because of the over production of sticky mucous. This in turn provides a great breeding ground for bugs and infection can take hold causing swelling and pain. Osteopathic techniques can help to unblock the small drainage points in your sinuses, improve the drainage, relieve pressure and reduce the pain. This in turn can reduce your need for medications. Think of it as osteopathic treatment to improve your internal plumbing!

Sinus pain can also be confused with dental pain and folk may often have jaw pain after visiting the dentist – usually not from the actual procedure, but because jaw muscles can go into spasm after the mouth has been held open for so long. Again osteopathy can help by assessing and treating the spasm getting you out of pain.

Jaw pain might also be associated with clicking or locking and even grinding of teeth. This can often be relieved by addressing muscular imbalances in the jaw, simple exercises, and also by looking a little further afield at postural issues, particularly around the neck, upper back and shoulders. Obviously sometimes we might suggest going along to see a dentist or orthodontist as well.

Jaw pain often goes together with headaches, as postural and muscular imbalances in the head and neck are closely linked, and sensitivity in one area can contribute to sensitivity in closely related areas (for example, the jaw – or temporomandibular joint – and the joints of the upper neck). Osteopathic treatment can help with the most common types of headache, including tension type headaches and migraine, and so reduce your need for painkillers and other medications. This will generally involve a range of techniques to loosen up the joints and muscles of your neck and upper back, and sometimes the jaw where that’s a problem too.

Treatment that reduces your pain or other symptoms can reduce your need to rely on medications which is something you may need to discuss with your doctor. We want you to get the best care, wherever it comes from, and will be keen for you to involve your doctor or dentist if that’s appropriate.

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