Acupuncture for TMJ and Jaw Pain in Denver
Jaw problems I treat
Jaw pain and clenching
Grinding at night
Headaches at the temples on waking
A jaw that clicks when you chew
Trouble opening wide
Tightness down the side of the neck into the shoulder
Muscle relaxants that help for a night but no more
How acupuncture treats TMJ and jaw pain
The muscles that move the jaw, the masseter on the cheek and the temporalis at the temple, are among the strongest in the body for their size. When they clench for hours every night, they shorten, develop trigger points and pull the joint out of its easy track. Acupuncture treats the jaw, the headaches and the neck as one problem, because that is how they present.
Releases the jaw muscles
I needle the masseter, the temporalis and the small muscles at the jaw angle, and most patients feel the jaw drop and loosen on the table. Gentle electroacupuncture across the masseter helps when the muscle is in sustained spasm.
Calms the clenching
The clenching is driven by the nervous system, so I also use points on the hands, feet and lower legs that calm the stress response, ear points, and points at the base of the skull and along the neck for the headaches and neck tension that come with it.
Tuina for the jaw
If the joint clicks or you cannot open fully, I add Tuina to the jaw itself, working the masseter from outside the cheek with slow pressure, which can improve opening in a single visit.
Backed by reviews, with limits
A 2011 review of seven sham-controlled trials found a benefit for temporomandibular pain over sham, and a 2024 review of 11 trials found acupuncture helpful in the short term for muscular TMD pain. The trials are small, and acupuncture does not change the joint itself.
Your treatment plan
Your first visit
We go through your history, including what your dentist has found, whether you clench or grind, and how the headaches and neck pain behave. I measure how far you can open, feel the muscles of the jaw and neck, and you get a full treatment the same day.
How many visits to expect
A recent flare usually settles in three to five visits. Long-standing TMJ pain with clenching and headaches usually takes six to ten visits, weekly at first, then every two to four weeks. Many patients feel the jaw loosen during the first visit.
Between visits
Rest the jaw during the day: lips together, teeth slightly apart, tongue on the roof of the mouth. Most people who clench discover they hold their teeth together all day. Skip gum, cut hard foods small, and keep wearing your night guard.
Working with your dentist
Your dentist or orofacial pain specialist owns the joint and the teeth, and I treat the muscles and the nervous system around them. I refer to a dentist first for a locked jaw, a jaw that dislocates, tooth pain, or a change in bite.
TMJ patients from across southeast Denver
Easy to reach
The clinic is at 3600 South Beeler Street, Suite 150, in Hampden Town Center at Hampden Avenue and I-25, with free parking at the door. It is about five minutes from the Denver Tech Center and Greenwood Village.
Desk workers
Many of my TMJ patients are desk workers whose clenching tracks their workload, and we often pair jaw treatment with neck and shoulder work in the same visit.
Bring your notes
Bring any notes or imaging from your dentist.
500+ five-star reviews across Google, ClassPass and Groupon
124 Five Star Reviews
Mike at subtle point is a pro! He has helped me numerous times deal with musculoskeletal pain in my back, legs, shoulder, neck and hands! He’s great at what he does and is very personable so I gladly give him five stars!
—Moe El Ali
247 Five Star Reviews
Michael was PERFECT! He asked a lot of questions about my pain and went to work on relieving it. The pain in my side that would wake me up every night for years has been gone for 4 days now thanks to the acupuncture. I also received such an amazing neck and head rub it made my toes tingle! I also noticed that I can go much deeper in my yoga poses after one treatment. Michael knows his work!
—Becky
146 Five Star Reviews
“Mike is so thorough and knowledgeable. Best acupuncture experience I have ever had. I will definitely be going back!”
“The owner Michael was super nice and very knowledgeable! I had a great experience!”
“This is the first time I’ve ever had acupuncture and cupping, and it was great. Definitely recommend.”
Prices
Payment
We accept cash, check, all major credit cards, and HSA/FSA cards. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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It helps most of the patients I see with it, mainly by releasing the jaw muscles and reducing the clenching that drives the pain. Two systematic reviews found short-term pain relief over sham treatment. It does not change the joint structure, and I say so.
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The needles in the masseter produce a brief deep ache as the muscle releases, which most patients describe as satisfying rather than painful. Needles in the temple and neck are barely felt. The hand and foot points are a quick tap.
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Yes, and I treat them together in every visit, because the jaw, temples and neck share the same muscles and nerves. Most patients notice fewer morning headaches within the first two or three visits.
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Dry needling targets the jaw muscle trigger points, and I do that too. Acupuncture adds the distal and ear points that calm the clenching itself, which the Colorado chiropractic dry needling rule specifically excludes. For TMJ with headaches or stress, the fuller treatment usually holds longer.
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A recent flare usually takes three to five visits. Long-standing TMJ with clenching and headaches usually takes six to ten, weekly at first and then spaced out. I will tell you at the first visit what I expect.
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No. Keep wearing it. The guard protects your teeth from grinding, and acupuncture reduces the muscle tension and clenching behind it. Together they do more than either alone.
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Book online at acusimple.com/access/4476, or call or text (720) 285-6251.