They say giving birth is the worst pain imaginable.

Obviously they’ve never had TMJ, otherwise known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

This is when your face feels like it’s on fire.

You can have shooting pain that radiates to your ears.

The pain can also travel.

It starts in your tooth and extends to your cheeks.

Often it flares up at night.

Preventing you from sleeping.

Different things can set it off.

Like having a glass of water.

Or drinking a cup of tea.

You may have a relatively pain-free day.

But nights can be hell.

Preventing you from sleeping.

Or your symptoms appear when the sun rises, receding as it sets.

Preventing you from functioning.

Warm applications may ease one person’s pain.

Or they can make another person feel worse.

Tooth pain is a big part of TMJ.

So many people rush to the dentist, only to hear that “everything looks normal.”

If they’re lucky, though, they’ll look somewhere else.

Homeopathy has a long track record of helping TMJ pain.

I haven’t escaped the ravages of intolerable face and jaw pain.

Even though I lead a relatively healthy lifestyle.

The pain rivals childbirth in intensity.

But you’re not rewarded with a newborn after a few hours of suffering.

TMJ pain is unrelenting and it can last for weeks.

So let me tell you about a few homeopathic remedies with a clinical history of helping TMJ.

If you can’t find the right remedy consider getting professional homeopathic care.

Here is some guidance on when to call a homeopath.

When self prescribing always stick to the Minimum Dose.

Because you don’t want to invite an aggravation, especially with TMJ.

Homeopathy For TMJ Pain

There are many potential remedies for TMJ pain.

This is why it can sometimes be hard to treat. Because there are so many choices.

Also, you may need to give a miasmatic remedy or a nosode if well-indicated remedies aren’t working.

Right now, I’m only going to talk about some of the common TMJ remedies, along with their unique symptom profile.

Here they are. (Remember, this is not a complete list.)

Rhus Tox – This is one of the first remedies to think of, especially if the jaw pain is better with warmth. This may be a warm application or a hot shower. The jaw may be stiff. It may also pop and crack. People may describe the painful sensation as “burning” or “tearing.” People who need this remedy are restless and unable to get comfortable in any position. Your cheek may be sensitive to touch. The pain will likely be worse in the evening.

Ruta Graveolens – This is one of my favorite remedies. Because it cured my first round of TMJ, years ago. This was after multiple visits to the chiropractor, who was treating me for jaw misalignment. (I’ll talk more about chiropractors later.) TMJ pain that responds to Ruta can be tearing or it can feel like something is gnawing on your cheeks. My pain was worse at night, when I was lying in bed. Ruta is often given after injury but I don’t remember being injured before my TMJ attack.

Causticum – This is a major remedy for jaw pain. Causticum pains are often described as “burning.” There may be shooting pains or a burning sensation, along with numbness. The jaw may feel very rigid, and pain may prevent motion of the jaw. The pain may intensify when riding in a car. Cold drinks may ease the pain.

Magnesium Phosphoricum – One of the hallmarks of this remedy is that everything is better with heat and warmth. Conversely, pains are worse with cold. Pressure applied to the painful area also brings relief. Pains can be spasmodic. The person may describe them as “electric like.” They may also be shooting, sharp or “boring.” Mag Phos is most often indicated for pain on the right side of the body. But don’t automatically rule it out if the pain is centered in the left cheek.

Colocynthis – Symptoms look similar to Magnesium Phosphoricum except they tend to be on the left side of the face. Pain is typically described as “tearing” or “shooting.” Pressure on the painful area is soothing. The teeth may feel as if they are too long when the jaw is closed. Often people need Colocynthis after they become angered or humiliated.

Spigelia – People who need this remedy may feel as if is sticking a knife in their face and is twisting it. Or they may feel as if they have hot painful wires in their face. They may feel better while eating. But as soon as they stop the pain is worse than ever. They are sensitive to drafts and sunlight. Motion or being jarred is hellish. Even a slight touch can set off the pain. Pains worsen from sunrise to noon and then gradually decrease.

Lachesis – This is predominantly a left-sided remedy. The person may be more irritable than usual and may wake up in pain after sleeping. They feel relief eating solid foods. Liquids make the pain worse. The pains are often described as “tearing.” It may feel as if the pain has settled in the facial bones.

Ignatia – This is a remedy to consider for jaw pain that springs from an emotional cause, such as grief or anger that isn’t expressed. The pains may be sharp and spasmodic. The person may have a tendency to clench their teeth. The facial muscles may twitch and the lower jaw may hurt so much that it feels dislocated. The person feels better while eating and putting pressure on the affected area.

Mezereum – This is an amazing but little used remedy. It’s something to consider when all else fails. This is the remedy that worked for my second TMJ attack after Ruta, Causticum, Lachesis and a few others failed. One clue I needed Mezereum is that other remedies didn’t work and my pain was worse at night. It was especially bad the second my head hit the pillow. Another strange symptom was that the tooth above the painful part of my jaw felt too long. I was very aware of it touching the tooth above it.

Nosodes – Various nosodes can also help. These can be used “intercurrently” if well-indicated remedies fail to work. At one point I took Syphilinum because my pain was worse at night, to the point I was “dreading the night,” a keynote of this remedy. This remedy did not cure but I believed it paved the way for the cure with Mezereum. However, you’ve gotten to the point where nosodes are considered it’s best to work with a professional.

Chiropractors can sometimes help with jaw pain. Especially if there’s something in your jaw that needs alignment. (Find a practitioner who has a lot of experience treating TMJ, along with good reviews.)