Unpacking the mystery of referred pain
Referred pain is when discomfort is felt in a different area from its actual source, often leading patients down the wrong treatment path. For example, trigger points in the jaw (masticatory) or neck (cervical) muscles can mimic dental, gum, ear, or even sinus pain. This happens because the nociception generated by these trigger points can sensitise surrounding nociceptors and converge onto other sensory neurons at spinal and supraspinal levels, causing pain to be experienced in distant areas. As a result, many patients undergo multiple treatments before the real issue is uncovered.
The neck’s hidden role
Pain originating from the upper neck—specifically nerves C1, C2, and C3—can sometimes be mistaken for facial pain. This happens due to the connection between the cervical and trigeminal nerves in the brainstem, making it hard to tell whether the pain is coming from the face or the neck (Bogduk, 1995, physio-pedia.com; StatPearls, 2024 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). That’s why a comprehensive assessment of both the jaw and neck is crucial to getting the right diagnosis and treatment.
How we get to the root of the problem
At our centre, we don’t just focus on where the pain is felt—we dig deeper. By thoroughly assessing both the neck and jaw, we can identify the true source of the pain and develop a tailored treatment plan. Our expertise in complex musculoskeletal conditions allows us to treat even the most puzzling cases effectively.
Why refer to Melbourne TMJ & Facial Pain Centre?
- Expert diagnosis: Our clinicians are trained to recognise when facial pain may be musculoskeletal rather than odontogenic, helping to prevent unnecessary treatments.
- Comprehensive care: We address both jaw and neck-related issues to manage all possible pain sources.
- Collaborative approach: We work closely with medical and dental professionals to provide well-rounded patient care.
If you have patients with stubborn facial pain that hasn’t responded to traditional dental or sinus treatments, consider referring them to us. We are well-equipped to diagnose and manage these challenging cases.
For further reading and evidence supporting these approaches, please see:
- Travell, J.G. & Simons, D.G. (1999). Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, Vol. 1. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Bogduk, N. (1995). Anatomy and physiology of headache. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 49(10), 435–445.
- StatPearls Publishing. (2024). Cervicogenic Headache. In StatPearls [Internet].
For referral inquiries or further discussion, please contact us at [your contact information].
Melbourne TMJ & Facial Pain Centre – Where precision in diagnosis meets excellence in treatment.