Many people experience tension headaches, migraine-like pain, and pressure behind the eyes without understanding the root cause: temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Research consistently demonstrates that jaw dysfunction is a major trigger for headaches and migraines. At MyoFitness, Serena specializes in identifying TMD-related headaches and providing targeted myofascial treatment that eliminates the pain by resolving the underlying jaw muscle dysfunction.
When your jaw muscles become tight, restricted, or develop trigger points, they refer pain widely- to the temples, across the forehead, behind the eyes, and down the neck. This is not coincidence; it is referred pain from masticatory muscle dysfunction. Serena’s expertise lies in recognizing TMD headache patterns and treating them at the source: the dysfunctional jaw muscles. Once these muscles are released and restored to normal function, the headaches resolve.
At MyoFitness, Serena understands that TMD-related headaches are myofascial in origin. The masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles develop trigger points that refer pain to distant areas of the head and neck. Releasing these muscular restrictions through specialist treatment eliminates TMD headaches permanently.
The muscles controlling jaw function- masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid- share neural pathways with pain-sensitive structures throughout the head. When these muscles become tight or develop trigger points, they generate referred pain patterns. The masseter muscle, when restricted, refers pain to the temples and cheek. The temporalis muscle refers pain to the top and sides of the head. The pterygoid muscles refer pain behind the eyes and into the ear.
Research published in the Journal of Headache and Pain shows that approximately 30% of chronic headache sufferers have undiagnosed TMD. A study in Cephalalgia (the official journal of the International Headache Society) found that myofascial treatment targeting jaw muscles significantly reduces headache frequency and intensity. At MyoFitness, Serena’s specialized assessment identifies whether your headaches are TMD-related and then provides targeted treatment.
Serena at MyoFitness specializes in identifying and treating TMD-related headaches. She palpates jaw muscles, assesses trigger point referral patterns, and uses myofascial release and dry needling to eliminate the muscular cause of your headache pain.
At MyoFitness, Serena specializes in TMD-related headache treatment. If you experience tension headaches, temple pain, or migraine-like symptoms, your jaw muscles might be the cause. Specialist assessment and myofascial treatment provide rapid relief.
At MyoFitness, Serena’s assessment includes jaw muscle palpation to identify restrictions, trigger point testing to reproduce your headache referral pattern, and functional movement assessment to evaluate jaw opening, closing, and side-to-side movement. She identifies which masticatory muscles are dysfunctional and which trigger points are causing your specific headache pattern. This precision assessment differentiates TMD-related headaches from other headache types.
Serena also evaluates your jaw closing patterns and posture, as poor posture significantly contributes to jaw muscle tension and headache development. Many people with forward head posture and desk-based work develop compensatory tension in jaw muscles, leading to chronic headaches. Serena identifies these postural factors and addresses them through treatment and patient education.
TMD can contribute to tension headaches, temple pain and migraine-like symptoms through tight or overactive jaw muscles.
Serena assesses the masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles to identify tension, restrictions and trigger points that may refer pain into the head.
Your assessment includes jaw movement, opening and closing patterns, trigger point testing and posture evaluation to understand your individual headache pattern.
Serena uses targeted soft tissue techniques to address restrictions and tension in the jaw muscles that may contribute to referred headache pain.
Where appropriate, dry needling may be incorporated to target specific muscular trigger points and areas of persistent jaw tension.
Forward-head posture, desk work and jaw tension can contribute to muscular overload. Serena provides guidance to help address these contributing factors.
Our Surrey Hills clinic on Canterbury Road is an easy trip for anyone in Box Hill and the surrounding suburbs, including:
MyoFitness also operates clinics in North Melbourne at 154 Peel Street and Surrey Hills at 296A Canterbury Road. All three clinics offer Watson Headache® Approach assessment and treatment for migraine.
Three well-established clinics across North Melbourne, Yarraville, and Surrey Hills, each delivering the same standard of clinical care.
A clinical team spanning remedial massage, myotherapy, physiotherapy, lymphatic drainage, and psychology under one roof.
Recognised for clinical outcomes, patient experience, and professional standards across the allied health industry.
Every session begins with a clinical assessment. Treatment is directed at the actual cause of your pain, not just the location where you feel it.
