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Facial Pain Treatment in Atlanta

Aching face, cheek, or jaw pain with no clear cause? It may come from your jaw muscles or joint. Hands-on care at our TMJ clinics in Roswell and Dunwoody.

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Why TMJ Physical Therapy

Care built around your jaw

TMJ and orofacial pain is all we treat. We help patients across greater Atlanta get relief without surgery.

One-on-one care

Every visit is with a TMJ-focused physical therapist for the full session.

No referral needed

In Georgia, you can start physical therapy without a physician referral.

Two clinics

Convenient locations in Roswell and Dunwoody.

Superbills provided

Submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Woman pressing near her mouth with pain that feels like a toothache but may come from her jaw muscles
Sound familiar?

Facial pain we treat

Facial pain is frustrating, especially when your dentist finds nothing wrong with your teeth and the ache keeps coming back. Some of the most common causes of facial pain are the jaw joint and the chewing muscles, which can produce a deep, aching pain in the cheek, jaw, temple, or in front of the ear.

  • Cheek and jaw muscle pain. Overworked chewing muscles, often from clenching or stress, can ache across the cheek and jaw and even mimic a toothache.
  • Pain in front of the ear. An irritated jaw joint often causes pain just in front of the ear.
  • Temple pain. The temporalis muscle fans across the side of the head and can refer pain to the face.
  • Neck-related face pain. The upper neck shares nerve pathways with the face, so neck problems can be felt in the jaw and cheek.
  • Facial pain after dental work, such as long appointments or procedures that strained the jaw.

Signs your facial pain may come from your jaw

  • A dull, deep ache rather than sharp or shooting pain
  • Pain that gets worse with chewing, talking, or clenching
  • Tender spots in your cheek, jaw, or temple muscles
  • Jaw tightness, clicking, or limited opening
  • Pain that's worse in the morning or during stressful periods
  • A dental exam that didn't find the cause
Smiling mature woman outdoors, relaxed and free of facial pain after physical therapy
Our approach

How physical therapy helps facial pain

When your facial pain comes from muscles and joints, we treat those structures directly. Your plan is built from your evaluation and typically includes:

  • Hands-on manual therapy for the jaw joint and the chewing muscles, inside and outside the mouth
  • Dry needling for tight, tender jaw, face, and neck muscles, when appropriate
  • Jaw exercises to restore relaxed, comfortable movement
  • Neck and posture work when the neck is part of the picture
  • Habit coaching for clenching, jaw resting position, and sleep posture
  • A home program so you keep improving between visits

Facial pain often travels with other jaw problems. Learn more about jaw clenching and grinding, TMJ headaches, jaw and neck pain, or TMJ treatment in Atlanta.

Your first visit

What to expect at your first visit

Every visit is one-on-one with your physical therapist for the full session.

  • 1. A full history

    Of where your pain is, what it feels like, and what you've already ruled out.

  • 2. A hands-on exam

    Of the jaw, face, and neck muscles and the jaw joint.

  • 3. A clear explanation

    Of whether your jaw is the likely source, in plain language.

  • 4. Treatment the same day

    Plus a home program to start right away.

Book Your First Visit
TESTIMONIAL

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY

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Patient

Meagan

“I have visited several doctors for my TMJ issues, and none have given me the relief or results like Dr. Glackin… After roughly 5 appointments, my jaw feels better than it has in years.”

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Patient

Rhea

"I struggled with chronic TMJ pain for months before finding Dr. Glackin. Within just a couple of sessions, he made significant progress where other medical professionals had not."

Facial pain treatment in Roswell and Dunwoody

We see patients from across metro Atlanta, including Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Marietta, and Brookhaven.

Facial pain that needs a different provider

Not all facial pain comes from the jaw, and part of our job is recognizing when it doesn't. See your dentist for sharp pain in one tooth or pain triggered by hot, cold, or biting. See a physician for facial pressure with congestion or fever, burning pain with a rash, or sudden, electric-shock pain triggered by light touch, chewing, or brushing your teeth. If your exam points away from the jaw, we'll tell you and help you get to the right provider.

When to get medical care first

Call 911 for sudden facial drooping, numbness, or weakness, especially with arm weakness or trouble speaking. See a physician promptly for facial swelling with fever, new numbness in the face, vision changes, a lump, or unexplained weight loss.

FAQ

Facial Pain: Common Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most about facial pain and the jaw.

Yes. The jaw joint and chewing muscles commonly cause aching pain in the cheek, jaw, temple, or just in front of the ear.

Common clues are a dull, deep ache, pain that gets worse with chewing, talking, or clenching, tender jaw or face muscles, jaw tightness or clicking, and a dental exam that didn't find the cause. A TMJ evaluation can confirm whether your jaw is the source.

It could. Sharp pain in one tooth, or pain triggered by hot, cold, or biting, points to your teeth. Facial pressure with congestion or fever points to your sinuses. Jaw muscle pain can also mimic a toothache, so if your dentist finds nothing, your jaw may be the source.

Brief, shock-like pain triggered by light touch, chewing, brushing your teeth, or a breeze can be trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve condition that needs a physician or neurologist. If your symptoms suggest it, we'll refer you.

Stress often increases clenching and muscle tension in the jaw and face, which is a common driver of facial pain. Physical therapy treats the muscle tension and helps you change the habits behind it.

No. In Georgia, you can start physical therapy without a physician referral.

Book a TMJ Evaluation
Ready when you are

Find out if your jaw is behind your facial pain

If your dentist found nothing and the ache keeps coming back, your jaw may be the answer. Book a one-on-one evaluation in Roswell or Dunwoody and leave with clear answers and a plan.