Non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical, long-term relief from

jaw pain and clenching and TMJ PAIn in Morris County, New Jersey

Acupuncture-based treatment with a structured plan for long-term change

Jaw Clenching, TMJ Tension, and headaches are rarely isolated problems

Many people who grind their teeth or carry tension in the jaw are also dealing with chronic stress, disrupted sleep, neck pain, hormonal changes, chronic health conditions, and a history of a nervous system unable to fully settle.

people who have found relief at our clinic have these things in common

• Other treatments have provided some relief, but it does not hold for very long

• The jaw stays in or returns to a state of tension without a clear or medical cause

• Medical or structural evaluation has not identified a primary issue

• Sleep is affected, especially through clenching or unrestful waking

• Tension often extends into the neck, face, or surrounding structures

• Chronic health conditions make daily life and recovery more complex
  

The framework here for treatment is based on a simple process:  determining your unique pattern and where you are in your state of health and well-being.  We begin there and move with clarity through stages of improvement. 

Our unique approach allows an in-depth exploration of your unique pattern behind your jaw issue. Each component of care, whether it is acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicine, movement exercise and postural work, or spatial and environmental adjustment carries equal potential for positive change and reflects the same underlying principles.   

This allows care to remain focused and simple, or to expand into a more comprehensive structure when needed. Treatment can concentrate in one area based on your individual needs at any place in the process or extend across several while maintaining internal coherence.

What our patients are saying…

Clenching during the night and going to bed. Caught myself with a tight jaw throughout the day and it affected how I spoke and ability to talk and sing properly.  It was putting unnecessary strain on my throat, neck and shoulders.  I felt immediate relief in my jaw and face as well as down my neck when working on my jaw. The relief helped my body feel so much freer and loose. We used acupuncture points for release, cupping, and manual acupuncture adjustments to help find relief.  10/10 Would recommend this practice to anyone who is seeking a better life and better health. You can work on so many things at once to help your body heal and work towards it being in its optimal state. It is a no brainer recommendation! -M.L.

I have always carried my stress in my jaw. As a result, it has caused pain in my jaw, teeth, sinuses neck and head. Consistent headaches and jaw/neck pain became my new norm.

 I started out going to see Angela because of my neck. As we have worked on things throughout the years, we have slowly realized how much of this stems from clenching my jaw.  Through Angela’s careful, thoughtful and diligent listening she realized that using Acupuncture for my jaw could help resolve a lot of consistent dull pain I was having. It also helped my sinuses find congestion relief. Acupuncture with Angela has helped me more than any antibiotic, medication or sinus rinse ever has.  It has also helped me receive more immediate and long-term relief.

 I would recommend Angela 1,000 times over. She is incredible and I’m so thankful for her. She has helped me and my husband find pain relief at times when we needed it the most. And she is so comforting to talk to. Her facility is also clean, calm and her front staff manager is awesome. Thank you, Angela! -A.H.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Acupuncture help with my jaw tension?

We use direct trigger point release of tight and painful jaw muscles as well as traditional jaw points for pain relief and tissue recovery. However, Acupuncture for TMJ and jaw clenching and pain is more than just inserting needles at the site of discomfort. Using a multi-level approach to release tension in the head, neck, and hips works on deep patterns of muscle, fascia, and nervous system imbalance. Stimulating points on the body to support better digestion, metabolism, and hormone regulation ensure the body can recover from patterns keeping it stuck in a feedback loop of suboptimal health which can keep pain levels high and stop the body from healing itself. And using acupuncture to help regulate the nervous system promotes better sleep, a calmer mind, and a less reactive state, which are key in resolving long-term patterns exacerbated by stress, grief, and trauma.

How are Chinese Herbal formulas helpful for jaw clenching and TMJ pain?

Chinese herbal formulas have been used for centuries as safe and potent natural medicine for pain, circulation, and stress relief. We use herbs in the clinic to support the metabolic processes that can become barriers to healing and recovery. When the immune system is depleted or overactive, when the digestion is irregular, or when hormones are fluctuating and causing symptoms, healing takes longer. We use Chinese herbal formulas to support the body to rectify its own recovery and regulatory processes, making relief from pain and tension more stable and long-lasting, without side effects.

What kind of physical exercises to you offer for jaw clenching?

We offer classes and prescribe exercises based on Qi Gong, a Chinese movement therapy. Qi gong incorporates breathwork, meditation, and gentle movement to improve posture, regulate the nervous system, and release tension. It is widely practiced for longevity and healing for chronic health conditions. Angela Barbara, LAc is certified in Medical Qi Gong, and has been practicing and teaching traditional Chinese Martial Arts including Tai Chi for almost 20 years.

How can Feng Shui help to resolve my Jaw Pain and Clenching?

Feng Shui is more than just the practice of arranging objects in your house to attain wealth and good luck. It is a deep and rich practice to examine and resolve the relationship you have with the spaces you spend the most time in. If your space is not supporting your health and well-being, recovery takes longer and the same patterns show up again and again. This work includes examining the arrangement of the space, environmental influences, building materials, the relationship to the land and the neighborhood, and seasonal influences. Birth charts help to examine relationships between family members, coworkers, and life choices, all of which have an impact on our health.

How is this different from other types of care?

The holistic nature of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is unique in that it can treat what we call “root and branch issues.” TMJ pain, jaw clenching, and headaches (branch) are often experienced by people who also have chronic health conditions (root). Our methods work to provide pain relief in the short-term, while treating the underlying long-term cause of the jaw issue. This unique combination provides a staged approach to long-term healing.

What kind of results should I expect?

Patients will often find short-term relief in 1 or 2 treatments, similar to getting a massage or chiropractic adjustment. Because TMJ pain and jaw clenching comes from long-term patterns or in addition to chronic health issues, long-term relief comes from an individualized treatment plan of a series of acupuncture sessions, herbal formulas, movement therapy, and adjustment of environmental and lifestyle components. Most patients find stable, lasting relief within a few months of starting care. Healing and recovery is highly individualized and we take utmost care in customizing personal treatment plans. Many patients remain with us for ongoing natural medicine support for chronic health conditions and pain, health maintenance and promoting longevity, and emotional wellness.

Meet your practitioner, Angela Barbara, LAc

“One of the reasons I chose to specialize in jaw clenching and pain is that I have been experiencing this myself for years. I have applied everything I’ve learned and practiced through my training in acupuncture, massage, martial arts, meditation, herbal medicine, feng shui, and over 12 years in clinical practice to a highly effective treatment program that provides relief in the short-term and prevention for long-term maintenance.” —Angela Barbara, L.Ac.