What Causes Stress, Severe Jaw Pain And Stiff Neck Muscles?

Posted on Sat, 5 Jul 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 5 Jul 2014 Answered on

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 50 year old female who has been very healthy . I lead a pretty healthy lifestyle, I am 5'5 and normally weigh about 150. I recently started taking care of my two elderly parents which can be very stressful but in the last month I started getting severe pain in my jaw which then felt like I was tightening up my neck muscles all the up to my ears. Now all my teeth hurt and I have soars all over my tongue. The soars are getting worse and I can not eat anything and have lost almost 2o pounds. I have had Scans done, MRI done and have gone to the dentist. Some say its TMJ, others say its stress but the pain is getting worse. I feel weak and scared. I know something is wrong. The pain shoots down the back of my neck and is tight all the way down to both of my shoulders.

Answered by Dr. Shesh Jaiswal (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
stress, apthous ulcers, tmj disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM
This is dr XXXXXXX jaiswal answering your query. I have thoroughly gone through your condition.
I think it can be related to excess stress.
Are you taking any medication also?
Do you have any other medical conditions - if yes, plz mention in your medical history.

Stress can cause grinding and clenching of teeth called bruxism, which can lead to pain in tmj neck and teeth. Further stress is a common cause for apthous ulcers also.

If I were your treating doctor I would first advice you to live a stress free life. A muscle relaxant can help reduce the pain - your local doctor can prescribe it to you as and when required. If you have history of bruxism night guard can be used by a dentist. Beside that, I also recommend multivitamins such as nutrolin B plus capsules can be taken thrice daily for 15 days for soreness and ulcers.

In short, you need to further explore the possibility of TMJ disorder as you try the aforementioned options. Start measures to control stress.

Hope this answer satisfies your query.
For any further query feel free to ask.
Take care

Regards
Dr. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad