【Break the Pain Cycle｜Jaw Pain → Headache → Neck & Shoulder Stiffness】

By the end of the week, many of our patients visit us for body maintenance as their fatigue reaches its peak.

In recent years, especially among office workers, I have seen a growing number of people not only experiencing neck and shoulder stiffness from desk work and PC use, but also jaw discomfort or pain.

🔄 How Jaw, Head, and Neck Muscles Are Connected

The following muscles are closely related and often influence each other:

• 🧠 Temporalis – muscles on the side of the head

• 😬 Masseter – jaw muscles used for chewing

• 🧍‍♂️ Sternocleidomastoid & Scalene muscles – muscles that support the neck

Because these muscles are physically close and functionally interconnected, pain or tightness in one area can easily spread to others.

For example:

👉 Jaw tension → Tight temporalis → Headache → Neck & shoulder stiffness

This is what we call a “pain chain” or “pain cycle.”

⚠️ Why Early Care Matters

If left untreated, jaw pain can progress to the point where chewing becomes uncomfortable or even painful.

You might notice symptoms like:

• Jaw fatigue or dull pain in the morning

• Discomfort when chewing

• Pressure or heaviness around the temples

These may be early signs of jaw-related muscle imbalance or temporomandibular dysfunction.

💡 Preventing the Pain Cycle with Proper Care

At my practice, I focus on:

• Gentle manual therapy and myofascial release

• Releasing tension from jaw, head, and neck muscles in sequence

• Using acupuncture (with or without electrical stimulation) to target deep muscles and restore balance

By identifying the root cause and addressing it early, I can prevent secondary symptoms like headaches or chronic shoulder stiffness.

Even if the discomfort seems minor now, early treatment is the best prevention.

📍 Address： 2F 1-14-4 Higashiazabu Minato-ku Tokyo 106-0044 Japan

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Daisuke Tazawa

BODYWORKS AZABU

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