11 Best Facial Massagers and Tools for Jaw Pain and Tension 2023

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Not only will your jaw feel better, but it'll look sculpted and slimmer too.

Beauty tools have quickly become the workhorses of skincare routines in recent years: they help erase fine lines, sculpt cheekbones, and tone facial features. But these do-it-all devices provide more than just skin-tightening benefits: they work wonders on jaw pain.

Medically known as a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, tension or pain in the jaw region is triggered by overloading the muscles and TMJ joint, which is where the jaw attaches to the skull, says NYC-based TMJ and Sleep Specialist Dr. Michael Gelb. "It is often mediated by estrogen and usually occurs in women around menopause and girls after puberty," he explains, noting that stress and anxiety also play a big role, as well as bruxism (the act of clenching or grinding of the teeth). Common symptoms of TMJ include jaw stiffness or locked jaw, headaches, a misaligned bite, and ear pain in addition to aches and soreness.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, as many as 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from jaw pain disorders. I am among those 10 million and have struggled with it since my teenage years. As background, I wear a night guard every night to avoid clenching my teeth while I sleep, I stay away from crunchy and chewy foods (think: crusty breads and raw carrots), and I try to stay mindful about keeping my lips closed and teeth apart while I am at my desk working. I have even considered getting masseter Botox (an injection that relaxes the main jaw muscle) after a colleague recommended it to me but am not ready to resort to needles just yet.

Despite following these dentist-recommended treatments to T, I have found that nothing relieves my jaw pain like an old-fashioned massage. And according to Dr. Gelb, one of the best ways to do so is with a "low-impact facial massager since it can help relieve muscle pain." Fortunately, there are tons of beauty devices you can use to alleviate discomfort, including face rollers, gua sha tools, and percussive therapy.

So, to help you with your search, I did my research and tested a variety of beauty tools to see which ones were the most effective and consulted with experts—including Dr. Gelb, Lissa Bankston, Director of Education of Therabody, and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Sandra Chiu—about the therapeutic benefits. Below, find out the standouts and how they can help alleviate your jaw pain too.

The TheraFace PRO's microcurrent and LED attachments have long been an editor-favorite for their skin-toning and anti-aging abilities, but the percussive therapy heads shouldn't be overlooked—especially when it involves jaw pain.

"The percussive therapy in TheraFace PRO provides a facial massage that helps relax muscles and relieve muscle discomfort and jaw pain," says Bankston. "My typical recommendation for jaw tension is to use the TheraFace PRO percussive massage with the infrared setting on the jaw and temples (with the cone attachment), and behind the ear (with the soft attachment) for 1-2 minutes per spot, 3 times a day."

Dr. Gelb, for his part, is a fan and also likes the cone head to massage the masseter, temporalis, and neck muscles. Says the dentist, "It is my favorite facial massager that I recommend not only to my New York patients but patients who seek my treatment from around the world."

Lanshin describes its adorable silicone-covered porcelain tool as "a hot stone massage in the palm of your hand"—and they're not wrong. When filled with warm water and used in conjunction with body oil, the heated octopus-like vessel feels incredibly relaxing against tense areas across your body.

"This handheld tool is a safe and simple way to enjoy the many healing benefits of infrared heat at home," says Chiu. "Infrared heat is a more penetrating, deeper reaching kind of heat that is considered more therapeutic. In TCM practice, we highly value the healing properties of infrared heat."

For TMJ, Chiu recommends first moving up the jawline, stroking from the chin across the jawbone to your ear. "Because the heat helps melt the tension, you only need to use up to medium pressure," she explains, noting that if you have a lot of TMJ, "you can keep switching between sides, add circling on any tight knots. You can also pull up to the temple for extra relief, and to create facial lifting. Some extra work on the temple can be extra soothing for jaw and headaches."

Wildling's massage wand was specifically designed to melt away tension and stress in the face, jaw, neck, and shoulders in order to restore the flow of energy in the skin. It is made of Bian stone, which is known for its rejuvenating properties, as well as antioxidant and anti-aging benefits.

What's great about it the tool is that it's easy and mindless to use too: Just press either end against your problem tense areas, and voila! Prepare to feel as good as new.

The Nurse Jamie roller allows you to tone, sculpt, and improve the texture of your skin in the comfort of your own home, but I love how relaxing its rotating head covered in 24 precious tourmaline stones feels against my jaw area. I've used it for years, and it's always been one of my go-to's when I need to alleviate any discomfort. 10/10 experience from me.

Sarah Chapman is a celeb facialist (Meghan Markle is a fan!) known for her facial massage technique. Her wishbone-like beauty tool has eight heads and 48 intensely massaging nodules that work both sides of your jaw at the same time to aid in lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, and drastically reduce jaw pain and tension. It feels utterly soothing with each and every roll.

Not your typical face massager, this ball is another great option when you want to release tension, improve muscle mobility, and stimulate circulation for a radiant complexion. Just roll it against your forehead, temples, jawline, and neck, and feel the aches, pain, and soreness just melt away.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, and Jennifer Aniston are just some of the few famous fans of makeup artists Jillian Dempsey's 24K gold bar. It goes above and beyond at firming and plumping up skin instantly, but I also love how the vibration technology mimics a real massage and feels especially soothing when held against my jaw muscles. I find that using the bar on each side of my face for 5 minutes each does just the trick to perk my skin (and spirits) up.

Ice rollers help combat puffy skin, contour features, treat acne, and soothe any redness. But what you might not realize is that it also is a dream to roll against the jawline. I love this option because it allows you to store the head separately in the freezer while keeping the handle at a holdable temperature. And the fact that it's less than $20 is merely just a bonus.

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese practice of using a stone tool with scalloped and curved edges and dragging it across the face and body to boost blood flow and relieve muscle tension. This version is made from jade, which is a stone known for its balancing properties, and retains its coolness for long periods of time, so you'll never have to worry about rushing through your massaging regimen.

Here's another face massager that does wonders for discomfort associated with TMJ. It's a tool made of surgical steel that depuffs the face, tighten skin, and stimulates circulation, while also relaxing the facial muscles and erasing tension. It's also travel-friendly, allowing you to relax while on the go.

Facial rolling has been around since the 7th century—and there's a reason why. It helps boost circulation, aid in lymphatic drainage, and minimize wrinkles while also providing a soothing massage to your visage. This option is double-sided with a large end for bigger areas of the face and a smaller end that provides more targeted relief in hard-to-reach areas. Plus, it's made from rose quartz, which is naturally cooling and feels incredible against skin.

Yes, massaging your jaw can help relieve pain. Both Dr. Gelb and Bankston recommend using a low-impact massager like a percussive device as that can help alleviate tension in the masseter, temporalis, and neck muscles. According to Chiu, TCM can also provide healing benefits; she recommends infrared heat since it's more penetrating and therapeutic.

There are several beauty tools that go above and beyond at treating jaw pain and TMJ disorders. The TheraFace PRO is a great percussive option as it gently taps against the sore area to prevent body aches and pains, reduce muscle tension, and boost circulation.

Beauty tools derived from TCM, such as the Wildling Empress, jade rollers, and gua sha stones, can also be beneficial because they are designed to be used as deep facial massagers.

For a heated option, we love the Lanshin Massager by Acera because it feels utterly soothing and relaxing against sore muscles, but if you'd prefer a cooling option, you can't go wrong with an ice roller.

Sophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more.

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