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Temple pain – Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
It is common to experience pain in the temple at some point. The pain can be due to several causes. Most commonly, the cause of the pain is tension headaches, but more serious conditions such as temporal arteritis can also cause temporal pain. This comprehensive guide aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the causes, symptoms and treatment options for these conditions.
What is pain in the temple?
The temples are located above the upper jaw on the skull. They are made up of our two temporal bones (Os temporalis) and our two temporal muscles (musculus temporalis). Our temporal muscles are important for the movement and strength of our jaw joint.
Temporal pain can be experienced as both unilateral and bilateral. The pain can be experienced as pulsating, cutting or pressing. If your temples hurt, you may have problems using your jaw joint, for example when speaking, chewing or coughing. This type of pain is usually a symptom of an underlying headache disorder, but can also indicate more serious conditions.
Tension headaches
Tension-type headache is the most common form of headache and is characterized by a dull, throbbing pain that is often described as a band encircling the head. Tension headaches are distinguished from migraines by their non-pulsating nature and lack of other symptoms typical of migraines, such as nausea and sensitivity to light. Tension-type headaches are harmless but can cause problems in everyday life. They can make you feel tired and unfocused at work.
Temporal arteritis (inflammation of the blood vessels of the temple)
Temporal arteritis, or as it is also known, giant cell arteritis, is an inflammation of the large and medium-sized extracranial arteries that supply, among others, the temples. This is an acute medical condition that requires immediate treatment to avoid serious complications such as vision loss.
Why do you get pain in the temple?
There can be several causes of temporal pain. They can range from relatively harmless to serious medical conditions.
Common triggers for tension headaches
Causes of tension headaches include but are not limited to:
Stress: Psychological stress is a common trigger for tension headaches.
Poor ergonomics: Long periods in front of the computer or incorrect working positions can lead to tension in the neck, shoulders, jaw and head.
Sleep deprivation: Insufficient or poor sleep can increase the frequency of headache attacks.
Risk factors for temporal arteritis
Temporal arteritis is more common in people over 50 years of age, especially women. Other risk factors include:
Genetic predisposition.
Previous immune system diseases.
Northern European origin.
Age 50 years or older.
What symptoms cause pain in the temple?
The symptoms of temporal pain can vary significantly depending on the cause of the pain. Most often, the cause is tight muscles in the neck, shoulders and jaw, but sometimes more serious conditions can cause temporal pain. Severe injuries to the neck and head, as well as diseases of the blood vessels, can also cause temporal pain.
Symptoms of tension headaches
In tension-type headaches, symptoms may include:
Dull or pressing pain that may be constant.
The pain is usually mild to moderate, but can become intense during periods of high stress.
The pain may worsen during the day.
Soreness in the scalp, neck and shoulders.
Feelings of fatigue and irritability may also occur.
Symptoms of temporal arteritis
The more severe symptoms of temporal arteritis require immediate attention and may include:
Sharp, burning pain in one or both temples.
Swelling and tenderness in one or both temples.
Fever, feeling tired and sometimes weight loss.
Stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulders and hips.
How can we at FasciaClinics help you
By understanding the different causes and symptoms of temporal pain, FasciaClinics can offer targeted fascia treatments that address both the immediate symptoms and the underlying causes.
Fascia is the network of connective tissue that binds and permeates everything in our body. All cells, tissues (even bone), muscles and organs contain fascia. Fascia is also very rich in pain receptors, known as nociceptors, which respond to stimuli such as pressure, and send signals to the central nervous system where it is interpreted as pain.
At FasciaClinics, we take a holistic approach to treating temporal pain. Our team of therapists utilize fascia therapy and others to relieve tension and pain. A fascia treatment focuses on dissolving tension and adhesions in the fascia and increasing its flow. Reduced pressure and increased circulation allow cell membranes to more easily absorb nutrients and release waste products. Fascial therapy can reduce pain in the temples and promote healing of the area. The treatment is pleasantly relaxing and painless. It gets the whole body flowing and helps you balance your posture so that the body is evenly loaded. Tension in the shoulders, neck and jaws is reduced so that pain is reduced.
During a visit, we analyze the whole body to see where compensations and imbalances are and how they have spread. If there is an imbalance in the body, there is a risk that they will spread and affect other structures. That’s why it’s very important to seek help quickly as soon as you experience any symptoms.
Please note
If you are unsure of the cause of your temporal pain, it is important to first consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis, especially in the case of symptoms indicating serious conditions such as temporal arteritis.
