Pain in the head and face can have many different causes, from tension and jaw problems to pain referred from the neck, and it can be both distressing and puzzling. Some of it is musculoskeletal and responds well to the kind of care we provide; some has medical causes that need a doctor or dentist. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire with head and face pain that arises from the muscles, joints and nerves of the neck and jaw, and we are clear about when other care is needed.
Understanding head and face pain
The head and face are richly supplied with nerves and muscles, and they sit directly above the neck and jaw, with which they are closely connected. This means that pain felt in the head or face does not always originate there. A great deal of it is referred — from tense muscles, from the joints of the upper neck, or from the jaw — which is why the neck and jaw are central to understanding many of these complaints. Tension-type headache and neck-related headache are common examples of head pain with a musculoskeletal basis.
Much head and face pain of a musculoskeletal origin overlaps with headaches and TMJ (jaw) problems, and is closely tied to neck tension and posture. At the same time, face and head pain can have other causes entirely — dental problems, sinus conditions, nerve conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, and others — which is why a careful approach, and a readiness to refer, matter so much here.
The upper part of the neck deserves particular mention, because the nerves there share connections with those that supply the head and face. This is how a problem in the neck can be felt as pain in the head — a pattern known as referred pain — and it is one of the main ways in which the kind of care we provide can help with certain head and face symptoms.
An important note on causes
Because head and face pain can stem from so many sources, some of which need medical or dental care, an accurate understanding of what is going on comes first. We focus on the musculoskeletal contributors — the neck, the jaw, and the muscles of the head and face — and we will always be honest when your symptoms point towards a cause that sits outside our scope. Dental pain belongs with your dentist; sinus, nerve and other medical causes belong with your doctor; and we will help direct you appropriately rather than trying to treat something we cannot help.
What musculoskeletal head and face pain can feel like
Where the pain is musculoskeletal in origin, it may include:
- A tight, band-like or pressing pain around the head, often linked to muscle tension
- Pain spreading from the neck up into the back or side of the head
- A dull, aching quality rather than a sudden or severe one
- Aching around the jaw, temple or cheek, often linked to jaw use or clenching
- Pain that follows a pattern linked to activity, posture or stress rather than appearing at random
- Discomfort that is worse with sustained postures, stress or jaw clenching
- Symptoms that ease with rest, movement or relaxation rather than steadily worsening
- Tenderness in the muscles of the neck, head and jaw
- Pain that builds through the day, particularly after prolonged desk work
This kind of pain is often clearly linked to posture, tension, neck movement or jaw activity, which helps distinguish it from pain with other causes.
When to seek urgent or medical help
Some head and face symptoms need prompt medical attention rather than musculoskeletal care. Please seek urgent help for a sudden, severe headache unlike any before; head pain with fever, a stiff neck, a rash, confusion, weakness, slurred speech or visual loss; pain following a significant head injury; or new, persistent or worsening headache, particularly later in life. See your GP for facial pain with sinus or neurological features, and your dentist for pain related to the teeth or gums.
How chiropractic care can help
Where head and face pain arises from the neck, jaw and surrounding muscles, chiropractic care can be helpful. Following a thorough assessment, our hands-on, drug-free care may include mobilisation and manipulation of the neck and upper back where movement is restricted, soft-tissue work for the muscles of the neck, head and jaw, and advice on posture and tension. Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, we can also draw on physiotherapy and massage. We will always be honest about what care can realistically offer, and we will refer you to your doctor or dentist when the cause lies outside what we can help with.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your head or face pain and what is driving it. We will take a careful history — an essential step given the range of possible causes — and carry out a physical examination of the neck, jaw, head and posture. We will explain what we have found in plain language and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate, or whether medical or dental input is the right next step.
You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page. Where we can help, we will set out a realistic plan, explain what we expect, and review your progress as we go. If our care is not making the difference we would hope for, we will say so and reconsider, including encouraging further medical assessment.
Helping yourself: self-care and prevention
For musculoskeletal head and face pain, sensible self-care often helps:
- Pay attention to posture, particularly a forward head position at a screen
- Take regular breaks from sustained postures and device use
- Be aware of jaw clenching, and keep the jaw relaxed where you can
- Address stress and tension, which often feed this kind of pain
- Keep a note of triggers and patterns, which can help you and your clinician make sense of the pain
If you would like guidance tailored to you, we can build self-care advice into your care plan. Keeping a simple record of when the pain occurs, and what was happening beforehand, is often valuable both for you and for whoever is helping you, as patterns can reveal the underlying drivers.
Related conditions and treatments
Head and face pain overlaps with headaches, migraine, TMJ pain, neck pain and stress-related pain. The care we provide draws on approaches such as chiropractic manipulation and exercise and rehabilitation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage services.
Take the first step
If head or face pain is affecting your life, we are happy to talk it through, help you understand the likely source, and point you towards the most appropriate care. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.
This information is for general guidance and does not replace individual medical advice. If you are concerned about head or face pain, please seek advice from a suitably qualified professional.