Psychosomatics of jaw pain
Jaw pain is often linked to the temporomandibular joint (TMD). It hurts near the ear and temple, the jaw clicks, and it is hard to open your mouth wide. It most often comes from clenched and worn teeth, wear of the joint, an injury and stress. It is usually not serious and often gets better on its own, and soft food, warmth and relaxing help. The Ladder method adds questions about what you endure through gritted teeth, and it does not replace a doctor.
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When to see a doctor
A dentist and a GP look at jaw pain, sometimes a maxillofacial surgeon. The doctor examines the joint and your bite, checks how your mouth opens and sometimes orders an X-ray. Treatment is chosen to fit the cause: a night guard, exercises, physiotherapy, painkillers.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method jaw pain is not explained as "you are angry and holding a grudge". You are not to blame. It is worth having the joint and teeth checked by a dentist first. Questions to yourself belong next to treatment, not instead of it.
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In the method the jaw fits the image of "gritting your teeth": what you endure in silence, which words you keep to yourself, where you are not allowed to say "no". Many women clench their jaw day and night without noticing. It is an image, not the cause, and it does not replace treatment.
On the ladder this shows up as the steps "I have to hold on" and "if I speak up, it will get worse". You can work through them at your own pace alongside a mouth guard and exercises.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Pain in the jaw, near the ear and temple
- Clicking and grinding when you open your mouth
- Hard to open your mouth wide
- The jaw locks
- Headaches in the morning
- Pain is worse when chewing and when stressed
What medicine knows
The NHS says that with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) you get pain in the jaw, near the ear and temple. The jaw clicks or grinds, you get headaches, it is hard to open your mouth, and sometimes the jaw locks.
It is usually worse when chewing and when stressed. Common causes are clenching or grinding your teeth, wear of the joint and a blow to the jaw. It is usually not serious and often gets better on its own.
At home, soft food, painkillers from a pharmacy, a warm or cold pack, gentle massage of the jaw muscles and ways to relax all help. It is better not to chew gum, bite your nails, clench your teeth or open your mouth too wide.
If things do not get better, a doctor may prescribe a painkiller or refer you to a dentist for a mouth guard, to a physiotherapist, or to a psychologist if the pain is linked to stress.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my jaw hurt near my ear?
It is often a temporomandibular joint disorder. It hurts near the ear and temple, the jaw clicks, and it is worse when chewing and when stressed. Causes include clenched teeth, wear of the joint and injury (NHS).
What does jaw pain mean in psychosomatics?
There is no proven "meaning". In the Ladder method jaw pain becomes a reason to ask yourself what you endure in silence, through gritted teeth. It is a question to yourself, not a diagnosis.
Will jaw pain go away on its own?
Often yes: the NHS says TMD is usually not serious and often gets better on its own, and soft food, warmth or cold and relaxing help. If the pain does not go or makes it hard to eat, see a dentist or a GP.
Related topics
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.