What is TMJ massage

A TMJ massage therapist’s job is to figure out where the pain is coming from and handle it – they’re like a TMJ detective. They’ll ask you questions about the pain and examine the muscles in your jaw, ears, spine, shoulders, and back to see what’s causing it. It’s likely that the pain isn’t in the jaw, but rather is being referred from the jaw to another part of the body.
You’ll be seen as a whole person. Your massage therapist understands the value of collaborating with other medical professionals in order to provide you with the best possible treatment. Working with neurologists, dentists, and physical therapists will help you achieve your full potential. There are no guarantees when it comes to outcomes.

Is Massage Therapy Effective for TMJ

Do your jaw and surrounding areas occasionally feel tense and awkward? Do you have discomfort in your jaw, neck, or face? If you answered yes to all of these questions, you might be suffering from a condition known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction. To tell that is quite a mouthful. TMJ disorder or syndrome is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint disorder, which is a condition that affects several people each year. Since having this ailment can be unpleasant and even painful, care should be obtained as soon as possible. Massage therapy is one way to treat TMJ syndrome, and it can be very helpful in controlling pain and calming the damaged tissues in some situations. But before we learn how massage therapy can be used to treat this disorder, let’s get a better understanding of what it is.

What Is TMJ Disorder and How Does It Affect You

TMJ refers to the joint that connects the skull and jaw. There are many types of temporomandibular disorders. The muscles that sustain the joint around the jaw begin to hurt in this disorder, making basic activities like eating and yawning painful. This may be caused by overworking the muscles, which causes them to become fatigued and inflamed; for example, people who chew gum often may experience these symptoms. The pain can cause your jaw to become sore, as well as pain around your ear and in the surrounding facial tissues. Another symptom of this disorder is what is now known as “lockjaw,” a condition in which opening the mouth beyond a certain capacity causes a lot of pain. Similarly, people suffering from this condition can have trouble swallowing their food.

TMJ Syndrome Causes And Symptoms

The development of TMJ syndrome can be caused by a number of factors. Overworked muscles, for example, begin to lock up and become rigid as fatigue and stress build up. Another reason may be that you grit your teeth or clench your jaw on a regular basis. Arthritis and facial trauma, which can rupture tissues or place too much pressure on the joint, are two other causes. According to more recent research into this condition, some clinical, psychological, and even genetic predispositions can increase the risk of developing TMJ disorder. There are a variety of symptoms associated with this condition, so if you are experiencing at least a couple of them, you should seek medical attention immediately. Pain or ringing in one or both ears that isn’t caused by an ear infection When you shift your mouth, you can experience a popping or clicking sound. Pain behind the eyes, in the face, neck, and shoulders, and even in the shoulders, Headaches and dizziness on a regular basis Jaw soreness or pain – which is most noticeable during daylight hours As a result of the lockjaw, mouth movements are limited. Finger tingling or numbness, Despite the fact that there are no oral health problems, tooth sensitivity exists. Teeth grinding or clenching on a regular basis These are some of the most common symptoms of TMJ syndrome, although they are far from exhaustive. Living with TMJ syndrome can be difficult, as shown by the symptoms mentioned above. If the symptoms are not treated, they will possibly escalate, making recovery more difficult If your condition is more serious, massage therapy might not be helpful; in that case, you should see a doctor who can recommend the best course of action. Your doctor will consider your age, medical background, overall health, and medication response. Doctors can also inquire about your preferred treatment form, depending on the number of options available to solve your issue. Nonetheless, you must seek medical advice from a qualified professional.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy in the Treatment of TMJ Disorder

Massage therapy is often used to help relieve symptoms of this illness, assuming the doctor hasn’t recommended against it. According to the results of a survey of about 200 people diagnosed with TMJ syndrome, massage therapy was the most common and successful complementary and alternative medicine treatment.
Massage therapy was also ranked as the most effective help in minimising and even relieving pain encountered in this ailment in a 2007 study of 126 people with TMJ disorder. Massage therapy has also been shown to enhance jaw movement, relieve discomfort, and reduce joint clicking, according to further studies.
Massages come with a variety of forms and methods that can be used for this purpose. In addition to other types of care, they include the following:
Trigger Point Massage: The practitioner will apply light pressure to the tissues surrounding the source of pain before slowly massaging the affected region to calm the tense muscles. Kneading movements, among other methods, are widely used for this purpose.
To make friction massage work, the practitioner must first find the masseter muscle, which is located along the jawline. They will then apply gentle yet consistent pressure with one or two fingers, as appropriate. It will take a few tries for them to find the right location, so be sure to let them know how your jaw feels as they step forward.
Stretching Massage: After being warmed up with a trigger point or friction massage, the affected muscles may exercise themselves with this type of massage. The therapist will start by pressing their thumbs against the mandible muscles and then moving their thumbs forward and back along the jawline. This motion should stretch the muscles around the upper jaw away from the teet
The exciting thing about these massages is that with a little preparation and attention, you can give them to yourself or your partners. The good news is that there are a number of useful and trustworthy guides available on the internet to assist you in doing so responsibly.
In addition to massages, you should perform jaw exercises as a supplement to at-home treatment of moderate pain in the jaw and underlying tissues. Chin tucks, side to side, and front to front motions are only a few examples.
However, we only advise you to do so if the condition is not life-threatening. Stop what you’re doing and see a therapist if you feel some pain when giving yourself a massage or exercising your jaw. You could end up causing more damage to your joint and underlying tissues if you don’t.