TMJ/Temporomandibular Joint & Jaw Massage
Jaw Massage | Temporomandibular Joint | Jaw Pain | Teeth Grinding | TMD – Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
TMJ & Jaw Massage – What Is It?
The Temporomandibular Joint – the temporal bone above and mandible below
Jaw massage, TMJ massage, TMJ, TMD – what are all these things and how can I help you with them?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint – it’s a lot easier to use the shortened abbreviation. These are the two joints that hinges your jaws together & connects the jaw to the skull, with the name coming from the temporal bone of the skull and the mandible or jawbone. Pound for pound it’s the strongest joint in the body and the most used. You may have thought it would be the thumbs, but we use the TMJ for talking & communication, swallowing, eating, drinking, breathing, sneezing, coughing, smiling – you get the idea!
Issues with the TMJ are often referred to TMD or TMJD to stand for temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction, or TMS temporomandibular joint syndrome, and can refer to a range of issues.
Main Signs & Symptoms of TMD
Common symptoms include:
- Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizzy spells
- Earaches (without infection)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty speaking
- Headaches (there may be a significant causal link between TMJ disorder and chronic headache/migraine cases)
- Chronic pain or tenderness of the muscles around the ear, neck, face, upper back, and shoulders
- Worn teeth
- Twitching of the face or eye muscles
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Trismus (difficulty opening mouth normally)
Causes & Triggers
Certain factors can make people more prone to TMJ disorder.
- Stress, anxiety & trauma: clenching the jaw is a common reaction
One Dominant Chewing Side- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Many people grind their teeth when they sleep. Other people tend to clench their teeth during stressful situations. Both situations put unnecessary stress on the jaw.
- Whiplash Injury to Neck: Accidents involving air bag deployment can especially cause TMJ disorder because of the relation of bones in the upper neck to the bones of the skull and jaw.
- Menopause & hormonal imbalances
- Dentures: Having worn-down dentures or ones that do not fit properly can cause jaw imbalance.
- Repetitive Chewing: Consistent gum chewing or tendency to eat other chewy foods can weaken jaw muscles.
- Heavy Telephone Use: Using the phone for long periods of time, while cradling the phone between the chin and shoulder, can cause jaw pain.
TMJ Jaw Massage Protocols
- TMJ Assessment: there were ex-dentists & dental nurses on my two training courses & they confirmed that our assessment can be more detailed than the standard dental TMJ checks
- Massage: Thorough treatment of trigger points & myofascial release techniques of the many muscles & fascia of the face, jaw, sinuses, neck, shoulders & scalp.
- Facial & TMJ Cupping: moving cups gently lift the tissues & fascia (cups are not stationary or placed)
- Hot & Cold Stones: hot stones can release muscle tension, whilst cold stones can soothe inflammation or the two together can be used as contrast bathing
PICTURES (L to R)
Trigger point pain pattern of sternocleidomastoid muscle
Intra-oral treatment
Trigger point pain pattern of masseter muscle
- Intra-oral Treatment: this is very gentle & careful using gloves to treat muscles in the mouth, including ones like the lateral pterygoids, masseter, temporalis & temporalis tendon
- Acupressure Points: based on acupressure & acupuncture points specific facial acupressure is used to amplify the effectiveness of the treatment
- Stretches: what treatment would be complete without the help of gentle assisted stretching?
- Self-Care: I can teach you how to do your own intra-oral massage & stretches for you to use yourself
What Can I Offer?
I have attended two Jing Institute trainings as well as teacher-assisting the incredible Minia Alonso, Director and Founder of the Bristol Massage Clinic and who works alongside dental practices providing treatment people suffering with TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder and jaw pain. The Jing course was developed by a massage therapist with 20 years experience as a dental nurse.
- A powerful protocol to treat TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome) incorporating a range of advanced techniques such as trigger point therapy, STR, and myofascial release.
- To find, palpate and treat the relevant musculo – skeletal anatomy including the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, digastric muscles, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius.
- Body mechanics to protect your own body while giving the best treatment possible to your clients.
- The causes and contraindications of head and face pain.
- The confidence and creativity to design unique treatments for all your clients.
What Is Involved?
- Initial TMJ consultation
- TMJ & Jaw assessment
- An evolving treatment arc of 6 x 1 hour treatments – weekly or fortnightly
- A wide variety of stretches: passive, assisted and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
- Self-care – including how to perform your own intra-oral and facial massage
