TMJD - Massage As A Pain Relief Strategy

Massage therapy is commonly used to treat Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, commonly called TMJ Disorder (TMJD). By treating the muscles in the face, head and neck as well as muscles in the surrounding area that may be attributing to the dysfunction a massage practitioner can help a client see immediate improvement of the condition.

Benefits of massage treatment for TMJ disorder are:

• Pain reduction


• Ability to chew without pain


• Relaxation of face, head and neck muscles


• Relief from headaches


• Improved blood circulation


• Increased lymphatic flow which can also reduce the look of swelling or puffiness


• Improved range of motion

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a painful condition that is associated with problems?of the?jaw. The temporal bone is located on each side of the face in front of the ear and attaches to the lower jaw or mandible. The joint where it attaches is called the temporomandibular joint.

If there are conditions such as forward head posture which can be caused by tight muscles in the neck,?upper chest / clavicle area, tight facial muscles around the joint and jaw, or previous injuries a person can experience severe pain, tightness, and discomfort.
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Symptoms of TMJ Disorder may include clicking or popping of the joint, difficulty in opening the mouth wide, difficulty chewing, or pain originating from the face head or neck. Somtimes TMJD will involve teeth grinding or clinching of the jaw and a dentist may be the first person to diagnose a person with the disorder.

A treatment may start with an assessment of not only the temporomandibular joint but also the muscles of the chest including attachments at the sternum and around the clavicle, the shoulders, neck and uppermost back. Swedish massage would be used to relax the muscles and then neuromuscular therapy to treat any tight muscles, trigger points, or dysfunction. Care is taken to avoid endangerment sites such as innervations or the styloid process which is a small sharp bone just below the ear, as well as other areas.
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For treatment of the muscles and trigger points inside the mouth it is common to use sterile non-latex gloves. Communication between the client and massage practitioner is important. The treatment may be uncomfortable at times but should not be overly painful. Clients generally report immediate relief from this painful condition.