Targeted Therapeutic Treatments
Focused treatment for specific muscle and soft-tissue findings
Targeted muscle and soft-tissue treatments may be considered when your assessment identifies a specific painful or irritated area, such as a tender muscle trigger point, tight or protective muscles, or local soft-tissue irritation.
These treatments are directed at the area identified during your examination. They are not used as a general treatment for all jaw pain and are recommended only when the findings suggest they may be helpful.
What this involves
Treating a specific painful area
In some cases, symptoms arise from local muscle trigger points or soft tissue irritation. A trigger point is a small, sensitive area within a muscle where fibres become tight and overactive (often felt as a “knot”) and can refer pain to other areas, such as the jaw, temples, or head – meaning the source of pain may be different from where it is felt.
What it can feel like
- Deep, aching muscle pain
- Tender spots when pressed
- Pain that spreads to nearby areas
Why we treat it
When trigger points are contributing to symptoms, targeted therapeutic treatments may help reduce sensitivity, improve muscle function, and support overall care.
Why it may be used
Guided by individual patterns identified in assessment
Similar symptoms can arise from different underlying causes. Targeted treatments are used when specific tissues or patterns can be identified and addressed directly.
01
Muscle involvement - Trigger points, tension, or fatigue contributing to pain or restricted movement
02
Movement patterns - Local areas becoming sensitive due to repeated strain or overload
03
Clenching and bracing — Habits that may keep the jaw muscles tense or overworked
04
Persistent symptoms — Pain that has not improved sufficiently with initial conservative care
“Treatment is selected when the painful structure or muscle pattern can be identified clinically.”
Tailored selection
No single approach applies to every case
This may include:
Dry needling
A fine needle is inserted into tight or sensitive muscle bands (trigger points).
Why it is used:
- To reduce muscle tension and local sensitivity
- To improve pressure tolerance within painful muscles
- To help restore more normal muscle function
How it works:
Needling can disrupt the trigger point, improve local blood flow, and reduce heightened pain sensitivity within the muscle.
Clinical studies suggest dry needling may reduce pain and improve jaw movement in patients with myofascial TMD, particularly in the short term.
Trigger point injections
- A small amount of local anaesthetic is injected into painful muscle trigger points.
Why it is used:
- When muscle pain is more persistent or irritable
- When dry needling alone has not been sufficient
- To reduce pain and allow improved movement
How it works:
The injection helps reduce pain sensitivity and muscle guarding, allowing the muscle to relax and function more normally.
This may make it easier for other treatments, such as movement retraining or splint therapy, to be more effective.
Targeted corticosteroid injections
(selected cases only)
A small amount of steroid is injected into painful muscle trigger points.
Why it is used:
- pain is persistent and clearly localised;
- symptoms have not improved sufficiently with initial conservative treatment; or
- local pain and irritation are limiting comfortable jaw movement.
How it works:
Corticosteroid medication is intended to reduce local inflammation and irritation. This may reduce pain and allow more comfortable movement.
Targeted corticosteroid injections are not a routine treatment for jaw pain. They are considered only in selected cases.
Care is introduced in a staged way, rather than combining multiple interventions unnecessarily.
Part of a broader plan
One part of a complete approach
Considering the whole system
Muscle activity and coordination
Joint mechanics and loading
Posture and daily habits
Behavioural and functional patterns
When It May Help
When specific local contributors are identified
muscle trigger points are contributing to pain
symptoms are localised and reproducible on examination
movement is limited due to muscle or soft tissue sensitivity
symptoms are persistent despite other care
These approaches are used selectively, based on assessment findings, and integrated into a broader treatment plan.
Treatment Options
Learn about TMJ treatment approaches
Our approach to TMJ care
Whole-body care guided by diagnosis
TMJ symptoms rarely come from the jaw alone. They can involve joint mechanics, muscle tension, bite function, posture, breathing, and sleep. At TMJ Centre Melbourne, care begins with understanding why symptoms are occurring. Treatment decisions follow diagnosis, not symptom labels. Care plans are personalised and often combine approaches, with progress reviewed and adjusted over time.
Diagnosis first
Whole-body assessment
Multidisciplinary care
Staged treatment
Evidence-Informed Care
We use recognised diagnostic frameworks and current literature to help guide assessment and treatment planning where relevant.