Could your mask be causing your jaw pain and headaches? As Dr. Cydney mentioned in the TMJ installment of our “Ask a Provider” series, since masks became a regular and necessary accessory we’ve seen an increase in jaw pain. Patients with existing jaw pain are experiencing more pain than before, and patients who have never had jaw pain before, suddenly do. The same goes for headaches. And while we’re optimistic for the future, masks will probably be a part of our everyday lives for a while yet.

There are a few mask factors that can contribute to jaw pain and headaches, some of which are obvious and some that may surprise you.

Causes

It makes sense that wearing a mask changes the way you move your jaw. It limits the amount of movement possible, the direction of movement, and likely the way you hold your jaw while at rest. These different movements and restrictions can cause tension and overwork in the jaw.

In addition, masks put pressure on the delicate muscles around the ears, asking them to support much more weight than they’re used to (especially if the ear loops on your mask are too tight!) You may not think of your mouth and your ears as being particularly close together but the hinge joint of your jaw is just in front of your ear, and the two share many connective tissues, so this can be another source of jaw pain.

Mask ear loops can also be the cause of headaches. The trigeminal nerve sits right above and behind the ear, then branches out all over the face from the jaw up to the forehead, providing both sensory and motor functions. When the ear area is experiencing increased pressure, it can effect this nerve, causing tension and headaches throughout the face, jaw and cranium.

Troubleshooting

So, masks aren’t going anywhere soon and you want some pain relief. Here’s a few ideas to try:

• Take the load off your ears. Either opt for a mask that ties behind the head, or attach the ear loops to something that isn’t your ears. “Ear saver” straps can convert ear loops into a head strap, or you can use hairclips to clip the loops to your hair behind your ears. Some people have even sewn buttons onto headbands or hats as an alternative anchor spot for their mask ear loops. Bonus: your mask will have a more snug fit, decreasing the number of escaped particles.

• Make sure your mask fits well. A good fit can go a long way toward preventing pain. A mask that fits snugly across the nose, chin and cheeks not only does a better job of preventing disease spread, but will help prevent you from making odd jaw movements trying to keep the mask in place.

• Practice good jaw posture. Notice the way you hold your jaw at rest. You should have a small space between your upper and lower teeth, your lips pressed gently together, tongue lighting resting on the roof of your mouth like you’re about to say a word that starts with “N.” This resting position should help release tension in the jaw and facial muscles.

If you’re experiencing jaw pain and/or headaches, Equilibrium providers can help you find relief! Chiropractic, acupuncture and massage are all options that could help reduce symptoms as well as target the root problem.

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