Pain Condition
TMD (TMJ Pain)
By Dr. Anthony J. Gordon, Doctor of Acupuncture | Last reviewed September 2026
Your jaw aches when you chew, clicks when you open, or feels tight when you wake up. You may clench or grind at night, get headaches at your temples, or have ear pain with no ear infection. Most TMJ pain comes from the chewing muscles rather than the joint itself, and those muscles often respond well to dry needling.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (516) 597-5400. Most new patients are seen within one to two weeks.
Overview
Understanding TMJ Pain (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorders, or TMD, often called TMJ, are problems with the jaw joint and the muscles that move it. Symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping, limited opening, locking, headaches, ear pain or fullness, and tooth sensitivity without dental problems.
The most common type is muscular. The masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles become overloaded from clenching, grinding, stress, gum chewing or posture, and they develop trigger points that refer pain to the jaw, temples, teeth and ears. The neck muscles are closely linked and often involved. Joint problems, such as disc displacement or arthritis, also occur and are evaluated by your dentist or oral surgeon.
Dr. Gordon treats the jaw and neck muscles directly, and coordinates with your dentist on night guards and dental care.
TMJ Pain (TMD) at a Glance
Also called
Temporomandibular disorder, TMD, TMJ dysfunction
Common symptoms
Jaw pain, clicking, limited opening, headaches, ear pain, tooth sensitivity
Most common type
Muscular, from the masseter, temporalis and pterygoids
Common drivers
Clenching, grinding, stress, gum chewing, neck posture
Often seen with
Headaches, neck pain, tinnitus
The Gap in Care
What Tests Check, and What They Can Miss
TMJ care often focuses on the joint and night guards. The chewing and neck muscles, which drive most TMJ pain, are often left untreated.
What routine testing is looking for
- Joint disc displacement
- Arthritis of the jaw
- Dental problems
- Ear infections
What often keeps symptoms going
- Masseter and temporalis trigger points
- Pterygoid muscle tension
- Clenching and grinding
- Neck muscle involvement
- Stress patterns
These are found with a hands-on jaw and neck assessment.
Signs & Symptoms
Does This Sound Like You?
Symptoms vary from person to person. These are the patterns Dr. Gordon sees most often.
Jaw pain
Aching in the jaw, especially with chewing.
Clicking or popping
Sounds when opening or closing.
Limited opening
Difficulty opening wide.
Morning tightness
Tight jaw on waking from clenching.
Temple headaches
Headaches at the temples.
Ear pain or fullness
Ear symptoms without infection.
Root Causes
The Four Drivers Dr. Gordon Looks For
Most people have more than one of these in play. Finding which one leads makes treatment more efficient.
Jaw muscle overload
Clenching and grinding overload the masseter and temporalis.
Trigger points
Trigger points refer pain to the jaw, temples, teeth and ears.
Neck involvement
Neck posture and muscles affect the jaw.
Stress
Stress increases clenching.
Your First Visit
How Dr. Gordon Evaluates TMJ Pain (TMD)
The initial evaluation runs 60 to 75 minutes. You leave with a clear picture of what is driving your symptoms, a written plan, a realistic timeline, and in most cases your first treatment.
Records and history review
Dr. Gordon reviews your dental and medical history, night guard use and any jaw imaging.
Jaw movement testing
Dr. Gordon measures opening and checks for clicking or deviation.
Jaw muscle mapping
Assessment of the masseter, temporalis and pterygoids.
Neck assessment
Dr. Gordon checks the neck muscles linked to the jaw.
Plan and coordination
A clear plan, plus communication with your physician, orthopedist or physical therapist when that helps your care.
When to see a physician first
- Jaw pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating
- Inability to open or close your mouth
- Jaw pain after a significant injury
- Swelling of the face or jaw with fever
- New numbness of the face
- A sudden, severe headache
If you have any of these, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department.
Bring to your first visit
Records
Recent lab results, imaging reports and specialist notes. These can also be faxed ahead.
Treatment history
A short list of what you have tried and what did or did not help.
Clothing
Something comfortable and loose fitting.
Treatment
How Dr. Gordon Treats It
These are the tools Dr. Gordon uses most often for TMJ pain, chosen from your exam findings.
Primary approach
Orthopedic Dry Needling
Dr. Gordon has used dry needling for more than 18 years. Treatment releases trigger points in the masseter, temporalis and neck muscles that drive TMJ pain.
See all servicesNerve focus
Neuro-Functional Acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture to calm jaw pain and reduce muscle tension.
See all servicesBetween visits
Jaw Plan & Team Coordination
Clenching awareness, diet and posture guidance, coordinated with your dentist.
Referring provider? Contact the clinicWhat to Expect
A Typical Recovery Arc
Visits 1 to 3
Find the main driver
Dr. Gordon confirms which muscles and nerves are behind your symptoms and starts calming the most reactive areas. Many people notice early changes between visits.
Visits 4 to 8
Lower the baseline
Day-to-day symptoms ease, flares become shorter and less frequent, and normal routines start to feel more manageable.
Visits 9 to 12 and beyond
Build resilience
Visits are spaced out as improvement holds. You leave with a maintenance and early-flare plan.
Most patients are seen weekly or every other week during active care. Individual results vary with how long symptoms have been present and how reactive they are. Progress is reassessed at every visit.
Not sure how to describe it? Put your pain or discomfort into words before your visit
"I had never had acupuncture before, and wasn't sure if it could help my TMJ and back/neck pain. He was very helpful and knowledgeable, and took the time to explain the process of acupuncture, my treatment plan, etc. ... Even after the first treatment, the relief of discomfort and increased mobility was incredible."
J.M. Hallock, Google Review
TMJ Pain (TMD) Questions
Answers About TMJ Pain (TMD)
Still unsure whether this is the right fit? Reach out before you book and Dr. Gordon will talk through your history with you.
Most TMJ pain is muscular. Your dentist or oral surgeon can evaluate the joint.
Yes, when performed by a trained provider. Most people feel a brief twitch and relief.
A night guard from your dentist can protect teeth and reduce clenching load.
Yes. Jaw muscles refer pain to the ear and can contribute to fullness or ringing.
Many people improve within four to six sessions.
Yes. Temporalis trigger points are a common cause of temple headaches.
Before You Book
General Questions
The clinic is an out-of-network practice. The initial evaluation is $300 and follow-up visits are $250. After each visit you receive a detailed superbill to submit to your PPO plan for possible reimbursement. FSA and HSA cards are accepted, and the clinic can run a complimentary benefits check before your first appointment. The check is a courtesy, so please confirm your coverage with your plan. See Insurance & Fees for details.
The first evaluation is 60 to 75 minutes and usually includes treatment. Follow-up visits run 45 to 60 minutes.
Yes. Call (516) 597-5400 or send a message through the contact page. This is especially helpful if your case is complex and you want to understand the approach before committing to a full evaluation.
1508 Union Turnpike, Suite 133, North New Hyde Park, NY 11040, with free parking on site. The clinic is an easy drive from Manhasset, Great Neck, Garden City, Lake Success, Floral Park and Mineola. Early morning, evening and weekend hours are available.
Most people feel a quick muscle twitch or a deep ache that lasts a few seconds. That twitch is a normal sign the trigger point is releasing. Mild soreness for 24 to 48 hours afterward, similar to a hard workout, is common. Depth, angle and stimulation are adjusted to your comfort.
Both use the same fine, sterile, single-use needles. Dry needling targets specific trigger points and tight bands in muscle based on your exam. Neuro-functional acupuncture targets nerve pathways, often with gentle electrical stimulation, to calm nerve sensitivity. For TMJ pain, Dr. Gordon commonly uses both.
When performed by a trained, licensed provider with detailed knowledge of anatomy, it has a strong safety record. Tell Dr. Gordon if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant or have a weakened immune system so he can plan accordingly.
About Dr. Anthony J. Gordon
Dr. Anthony J. Gordon is a Doctor of Acupuncture licensed in New York and board certified. He holds ASE certification in intrapelvic and extrapelvic dry needling, along with advanced certifications in Functional Dry Needling and Neuro-Functional Acupuncture. With more than 18 years of clinical experience and over 3,000 complex cases treated, he focuses on pelvic, spinal and orthopedic conditions that have not responded to standard care, and works closely with each patient's physicians and physical therapists.
Read Dr. Gordon's full bioFurther Reading
Jaw Clenching and TMJ Pain: The Stress and Muscle Connection
From the blog: Jaw pain often starts in the chewing muscles. How clenching, grinding and stress overload them, and how jaw tension links to headaches and neck pain.
Book an Evaluation for TMD
Book a full evaluation with Dr. Gordon and release the muscles behind your TMJ pain.
Early morning, evening and weekend appointments available. Free on-site parking.
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