Help please! Relieving facial/eye tension

hi all,

i stumbled upon this site while researching information about trigger points. i’m always wearing glasses. the problem is that the pressure caused by the nosepads of my glasses are causing my face to tense, especially my eyes. i’ve tried almost anything but to no avail. i know that it’s not the prescription for my lenses because i do not feel the tension when i lift the nosepads up. also, i notice that my eyelids lift further up when i lift my nosepads, giving me a feeling of relaxation. also, i can feel the tension in my eyeballs while pressing it down gently. afterwards, it gives me a sense of release/relaxation. but, when the nosepads are pressed against my nose, the bottom part of the top eyelid does not lift as high. i do not know or understand what is causing this. i’ve tried massaging my nose, but it did not help. also, i would like to point out that i have TMJ.

so, when i’m not wearing my glasses, i’m fine but blind as a bat. All i know is that it’s not so much as my glasses that is causing the tension but the nosepads pressed against my nose.

can anybody here give me any advice? it would be greatly appreciated. thanx to all.:smiley:

I have never heard of this problem before. You should see your doctor.

The face is filled with muscles, allbeit smaller and more superficial than some other part of the body. And you’ve also got TMJ, as you mention, so tension in the muscles around the face and skull might be your issue.

Some fascial massage (by a licensed professional preferred) and some jaw exercise like the ones performed by opera singers may bring some relief.

There are three basic jaw rotations. One about the X Axis, one about the Y Axis and the thrid about the Z Axis. So this makes for six movements (when going both clockwise and counter).

Perhaps a google search for facial exercise would be helpful.
Warm compresses might also release the muscle tissue. Perhaps a poultice of herbs or a simple warm washcloth.

thank you for the help. i’ll try the warm washcloth tonight. hopefully, it helps.

The facial massage is an excellent suggestion as well. I know it is a great relief for me.

I use lightweight metal frames and plastic lenses. But most of the time I wear contact lenses.

I have TMJ too and the warm washcloth work. You can put it on for a few minutes and then when you remove it, pull on your lower jaw and stretch it out. The dentist told me to do this and it feels very nice when you are achey.

Also, if its a possibility for you, I’d try to get another pair of glasses…I wear them too and have never had a problem so maybe you could get a pair without the nose pieces.

It looks like you're dealing with a tough combination of factors with the pressure from your glasses and TMJ. Since you mentioned feeling some relief when you lift the nosepads, it could be worth considering a different frame or nosepad design to alleviate the pressure. You could reach out to Spy Optic customer service to see if they offer any alternatives that could provide a better fit or less pressure on your face. In the meantime, it could help to take short breaks and do some facial stretches to relieve tension. It’s great that you're paying attention to what works and listening to your body for signs of relief!