Dry Needling for Temporalis Trigger Points
Headaches, facial pain, and even toothache-like discomfort in the upper jaw can all trace back to tension in the temporalis muscle. Dry needling—an evidence-based needling style, aims to target and release myofascial trigger points in this area. In this post, we’ll examine how dry needling can help break persistent pain cycles, restore normal muscle function, and significantly improve quality of life for those struggling with unresolved temporalis-related issues.
Key Points
Dry Needling targets myofascial trigger points in the temporalis muscle to alleviate tension and referred pain.
Indications for treatment often include headaches, facial pain, and toothache-like symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms may manifest as temple and eyebrow pain, back of head pain, or temporal headaches.
Common Causes of trigger points include bruxism, forward head posture, or direct trauma.
Dry needling the temporalis muscle can offer relief where other treatments have failed.
About Temporalis Muscle Trigger Points
Trigger points (TrPs) in the temporalis can become active under various conditions: prolonged clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism), repetitive jaw motions, or stress-related tension. They’re often overlooked until they start referring pain to the temples, around the eyebrow, and even into the upper teeth—mimicking dental issues. A sore temporalis muscle may indicate the presence of myofascial trigger points in this muscle.
Temporalis trigger points
Indications for Temporalis Muscle Trigger Points
Based on Travell and Simons and other muscle pain texts, dry needling of the temporalis muscle is indicated for:
Headaches or Migraines
Temple and Eyebrow Pain
Upper and Lower Molar Tooth Pain (often perceived as toothache)
Back of Head Pain
Temporal Headache (Temples)
These painful symptoms can drastically affect daily life, making it difficult to eat, talk, or even concentrate.
Signs and Symptoms of Temporalis Muscle Trigger Points
Patients with active trigger points in the temporalis often report:
Persistent headaches that feel like tension headaches or migraines.
Toothache-like pain in the upper jaw—even when dental exams reveal no obvious problem.
Sensitivity to hot or cold in the upper teeth.
Aching or pressure around the temple region.
If these symptoms sound familiar and dental evaluations haven’t helped, temporalis muscle trigger points might be the culprit.
Cause of Temporalis Muscle Trigger Points
A range of factors can activate or perpetuate trigger points in the temporalis:
Teeth Clenching / Bruxism: Overuse of the jaw muscles.
Direct Trauma: Impact injuries to the side of the head or face.
Cold Draft (not wearing a hat in winter): The muscle stiffens when exposed to cold while fatigued.
Forward Head Posture: Shifts the jaw’s resting position, increasing strain on the temporalis.
Often, a combination of these factors leads to ongoing tightness and pain that won’t resolve without direct intervention—like dry needling.
Temporalis Muscle Trigger Point Referral Pattern
Temporalis trigger points are notorious for causing referred pain to:
Upper teeth (sometimes with hypersensitivity to hot and cold)
Temple region, including the eyebrow area
TMJ area
Maxilla (upper jaw), leading to toothache sensations
These referral patterns can confuse both patients and healthcare providers, as the pain’s source is often mistaken for dental or sinus problems.
Differential Diagnosis
Several conditions may present with similar symptoms:
TMJ Dysfunction – Pain originating in the jaw joint rather than the muscle.
Upper Tooth Issues – Genuine dental pathology such as cavities or abscesses.
Tension Headaches – Non-muscular headache disorders.
Temporal Tendinitis – Inflammation of the tendon rather than the muscle belly.
A thorough evaluation—often including dental and medical examinations—is key to differentiating these conditions from temporalis muscle trigger points.
Associated Trigger Points
When the temporalis muscle develops active trigger points, other masticatory muscles can also be involved, including:
Masseter
Medial Pterygoid
Lateral Pterygoid
Treating one muscle without addressing others may lead to only partial relief. An integrated approach often yields the best results.
Conclusion
Dry needling is an effective treatment for stubborn temporalis muscle trigger points that contribute to headaches, facial pain, and toothache-like sensations. By identifying and targeting the exact location of these trigger points, practitioners can help release tension, restore normal muscle function, and improve overall quality of life.
If you’re dealing with nagging headaches or unexplained toothache sensations, consider an approach that targets the underlying muscle tension. Morningside Acupuncture offers specialized dry needling techniques to address the temporalis and related muscles. Reach out to learn how we can help you find long-lasting relief.
Over to you
If you liked this article, please share with friends and family who may be suffering with temporalis pain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is dry needling for the temporalis muscle?
Dry needling for the temporalis muscle involves using a thin, sterile needle to target and deactivate myofascial trigger points in the muscle fibers. This helps relieve pain, tension, and referred symptoms such as headaches or toothache sensations.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
Dry needling and acupuncture both use thin needles. However, acupuncture uses a holistic approach (based on traditional points along meridians), while dry needling focuses on releasing tight muscle bands and trigger points. Note that all dry needling is technically a form of acupuncture because it uses an acupuncture needle.
How does dry needling help with headaches and toothache-like pain?
By inactivating trigger points in the temporalis muscle, dry needling reduces the tension and referred pain signals that often manifest as headaches or upper-tooth discomfort.
Are there side effects to dry needling the temporalis muscle?
Most side effects are mild, such as temporary soreness or mild bruising. A trained professional will follow safety guidelines to minimize risks, including avoiding the temporal artery.
Can forward head posture cause temporalis muscle trigger points?
Yes. A forward head posture can strain the jaw muscles—including the temporalis—leading to chronic tension and the development of painful trigger points.
Sources:
Travell, J. G., Simons, D. G. (1993). Myofascial pain and dysfunction: The trigger point manual. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Biel, A., & Dorn, R. (2010). Trail guide to the body: A hands-on guide to locating muscles, bones and more. Boulder, CO: Books of Dicovery.
Janda, Vladimír. “Muscle Function Testing.” (1983).
Dublin AB, Al-Dhahir MA. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Temporal Region. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK482497/
Basit H, Tariq MA, Siccardi MA. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Mastication Muscles. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541027/
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