From the Guidelines
Temporal pain can be effectively managed with non-pharmacological approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy, therapist-assisted mobilisation, manual trigger point therapy, supervised postural exercise, supervised jaw exercise and stretching, as recommended by the latest clinical practice guideline 1.
Key Recommendations
- For immediate relief, over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen/paracetamol (500-1000mg every 4-6 hours) can be used for up to 10 days, as suggested by previous guidelines 1.
- Non-pharmacological interventions should be the first line of treatment, with a strong recommendation for cognitive behavioural therapy, therapist-assisted mobilisation, manual trigger point therapy, supervised postural exercise, supervised jaw exercise and stretching 1.
- If pain persists or is severe, consult a healthcare provider who may prescribe additional treatments, but the use of opioids should be cautious and based on individual patient needs, as recommended by the CDC clinical practice guideline 1.
Important Considerations
- Temporal pain frequently stems from temporomandibular joint dysfunction, tension headaches, or migraines, with muscle tension and inflammation being common underlying mechanisms.
- Stress management techniques including deep breathing, meditation, and adequate sleep are important as stress often triggers or worsens temporal pain.
- Gentle massage of the temples and jaw muscles can help release tension, and apply cold packs to the temporal region for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours during acute pain, followed by warm compresses after 48 hours to relax muscles.
- If pain continues beyond two weeks despite these measures, seek medical evaluation to rule out more serious conditions.
From the Research
Temporal Pain Treatment
- Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the medium and large arteries in the upper part of the body 2, 3.
- The diagnosis of temporal arteritis can be complicated due to overlapping features with other painful neurological conditions, such as tension-type headache 2.
- Clinical manifestations of temporal arteritis may vary, but a high index of clinical suspicion is necessary to identify the disorder, and immediate treatment is crucial to prevent devastating morbidity 3.
- Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of treatment for temporal arteritis, but alternatives may be necessary for individuals who do not respond to or cannot tolerate corticosteroids 3.
- For acute pain, non-prescription oral analgesics such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can be effective, with combinations of ibuprofen plus paracetamol having the lowest NNT values and highest success rates 4.
- However, the evidence for temporal pain treatment specifically is limited, and more research is needed to determine the most effective treatment options for this condition.
Treatment Options
- Corticosteroids: remain the cornerstone of treatment for temporal arteritis 3.
- Non-prescription oral analgesics: such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can be effective for acute pain, but may not be specifically indicated for temporal pain 4.
- Alternative treatments: may be necessary for individuals who do not respond to or cannot tolerate corticosteroids, but more research is needed to determine the most effective options 3.