If you wake up with a sore jaw, tension headaches, or that telltale clicking when you open your mouth, you’re far from alone. TMJ dysfunction — the breakdown of the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull — affects an estimated 12 million Americans, and it’s roughly twice as common in women as in men, particularly in midlife.
For years, the standard options were limited and, frankly, unappealing: a custom night guard you have to remember to wear every night, masseter injections every three to four months, or — in serious cases — surgery.
We’ve added something better. In August 2025, the FDA cleared a brand-new indication for a device we now offer at Awazul: EmFace Functional for TMJ.
What TMJ Actually Is
The temporomandibular joint is one of the most-used joints in your body. You use it every time you talk, chew, swallow, or yawn. When the muscles around it — the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids — become chronically tense from stress, clenching, or grinding, the joint stops moving smoothly. That’s when symptoms start.
The most common signs we see in patients at Awazul:
– Soreness or stiffness in the jaw, especially first thing in the morning
– Tension headaches, particularly at the temples
– Clicking, popping, or grinding when opening or closing the mouth
– Ear pressure or fullness with no infection present
– Neck and shoulder tension that doesn’t fully respond to massage
– Disrupted sleep from nighttime clenching
If you nodded along to two or more of those, your TMJ is likely contributing — and it’s worth taking a closer look.
Why the Older Options Fall Short
Night guards address the symptom — they protect your teeth from grinding — but they do nothing for the underlying muscle tension that’s driving the clenching in the first place. Many patients also report poor sleep with a guard in, jaw fatigue, or simply stop wearing it after a few months.
Masseter injections can be effective, but they’re temporary, they require ongoing appointments every few months, and many patients understandably want to avoid putting anything injectable into the face if there’s another way.
Surgery should always be a last resort — and for the vast majority of TMJ patients, it never needs to be on the table.
That’s the gap EmFace fills.
What EmFace Functional Actually Does
EmFace is an established, non-invasive treatment platform that has been used clinically for facial rejuvenation for years. In August 2025, the FDA cleared a new indication for the device specifically for TMJ dysfunction — making it the first technology of its kind to treat the underlying muscular cause of TMJ without needles, drugs, or downtime.
EmFace works by pairing two synchronized technologies in a single 20-minute session:
– HIFES® (High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation) — a low-frequency electromagnetic energy that gently stimulates the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, the nerve that controls your jaw muscles. This calms muscle overactivity and helps the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids relearn healthier movement patterns.
– Synchronized radiofrequency (RF) — therapeutic heating that increases local circulation and helps the surrounding tissue relax.
Together, the two modalities address the root cause of TMJ rather than masking the symptoms. EmFace Functional is FDA-cleared for:
– Treatment of TMJ dysfunction and associated pain
– Relief of symptoms associated with muscle spasm
– Muscle re-education of the masticatory muscles
– Maintenance or improvement of jaw range of motion
What to Expect
The standard EmFace Functional TMJ protocol is a series of four sessions, each about 20 minutes, performed in-clinic. There are no needles, no downtime, and no recovery — most patients head straight back to work or their day. Some patients report relief after the first session; the cumulative benefit builds across the full series.
Who’s a Good Candidate
EmFace Functional is a strong fit for patients who:
– Experience chronic jaw tension, clenching, or grinding
– Have tried a night guard or injections and want a different approach
– Want to avoid pharmaceutical or injectable options
– Are dealing with TMJ-related headaches, ear pressure, or restricted jaw movement
– Value non-invasive, drug-free care backed by FDA clearance
The best way to know if it’s right for you is a quick in-person evaluation. We’ll assess your jaw, walk through your symptoms and history, and confirm whether you’re a candidate.
The Aesthetic Bonus
Worth mentioning: EmFace is also separately FDA-cleared for facial aesthetic use — lifting and toning the muscles of the mid and lower face, sharpening the jawline, and improving skin quality. The same muscles that drive TMJ clenching are the ones that, over time, can widen and square the lower face.
For many of our patients, the EmFace Functional protocol delivers two outcomes from one treatment series: relief from jaw pain and a softer, more defined lower face. It’s not the reason we recommend it for TMJ — but for patients who care about both function and aesthetics, it’s a meaningful bonus.
Why Patients Choose Awazul for EmFace Functional
EmFace is becoming more widely available, but how — and where — you receive your protocol matters. A few things that set Awazul apart for this treatment:
Physician-led evaluation. Every TMJ consult is performed by Dr. Carrie Giordano personally. Because EmFace Functional treats both muscular dysfunction and nerve coordination, a thoughtful clinical evaluation matters — we want to confirm your symptoms are TMJ-driven (and not, for example, dental-origin or referred from the cervical spine) before recommending the protocol.
Nine years of non-invasive protocol expertise. Awazul has specialized in non-invasive body, skin, and wellness treatments for nearly a decade. Dr. Giordano also hosts the TruBody Transformation tour, training other providers in protocol-based, non-invasive care. EmFace Functional fits naturally into the kind of cumulative, structured treatment series we deliver every day.
Treated as a full protocol, not a one-off session. A four-session series only works if it’s actually completed and properly supported. Our team handles your scheduling, tracks your progress, and follows up between sessions — the same structured care model we use for our body sculpting and weight loss clients.
A wellness lens, not just a treatment. TMJ rarely exists in isolation. Stress, sleep, hormone fluctuation, and posture all contribute. Because Awazul integrates medical, aesthetic, and wellness care under one roof, we can address the supporting factors — supplement support, stress management, sleep — alongside your EmFace sessions.
An environment built for the experience. This isn’t a clinical waiting room. The clinic is designed to feel calm, private, and elevated — the kind of place you actually look forward to returning to for four sessions.
Book Your TMJ Consult
If you’ve been quietly tolerating jaw pain, morning headaches, or restless sleep, this is worth fifteen minutes of your time. Your consult fee is applied toward any services you choose to schedule — so if EmFace Functional is the right fit, you’re not paying twice.
— Dr. Carrie Giordano Awazul Wellness | Kīhei, Mau
