Trismus refers to motor disturbance of the trigeminal nerve, especially spasm of the masticatory muscles, with difficulty in opening the mouth. When the constriction occurs, the affected person is temporarily subjected to difficulties in opening his or her mouth, a condition that prevents chewing, swallowing, maintaining an oral hygiene and verbal communication. Trismus is usually due to prolonged inactivity of the jaw muscles and may occur, for example, after the removal of a molar. However, this condition may also occur following the head and neck’s exposure to radiation, or result from an infection or drug intakes. Trismus is also one of the characteristic symptoms of tetanus and may be accompanied by headaches and pain in the temporal regions.
In most cases, the patient with trismus has trouble opening his or her mouth. If the disorder appears following a prolonged opening of the mouth, the subject may not feel any pain prior to the blockage of the jaw muscles. On the other hand, if the subject is already under treatment, he or she may feel shooting pains in the jaw before it starts to contract, thus progressively reducing the normal range of the mouth opening. In addition, trismus may also be accompanied by inflammation and pain in the pterygoids or tongue.
Arnica Montana is one of the most recommended remedies when it comes to relieving trismus and muscle pain efficiently. For optimal therapeutic efficiency, it is advisable to take a daily dose of Arnica montana 15 CH during 5 days. This treatment can also be supplemented with Hypericum for greater effectiveness. This Hypericum extract is available in the form of massage oil and should generally be applied to the jaw muscles to relieve trismus. It is recommended to systematically take 5 granules of Cheiranthus cheiri 15 CH four times a day over the course of 3 days. Besides, Cuprum metallicum is also recommended in the treatment of facial muscle disorders, in which case it is advisable to take daily 5-granule doses of the remedy for the duration of the symptoms.
If symptoms persist after the implementation of various homoeopathic treatments, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately. In addition, a medical consultation is also recommended in case side effects appear following the ingestion of medication, and may come in the form of stomach aches or skin rashes.
Good to know: Trismus can be easily treated if the adequate remedies are prescribed from the onset of the first symptoms. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that reducing jaw movements to their bare minimum helps to quickly reduce the pain and inflammation resulting from trismus.
