TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Massage

I have completed an advanced TMJ pain course with Jing Advanced Massage Training in Brighton. Massage can help heal and release the soft tissue (muscles), relieving pain and reducing symptoms caused by problems in and around the jaw joint. This is done by treating the trigger points around the jaw, neck and shoulders.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint that connects your mandible (jaw bone) to the temporal bone of your skull and is located in front of your ear. The joint, along with its associated muscles allows us to move our jaw up and down and from side to side to talk, eat, yawn, laugh etc.

Problems with the joint and its muscles are known as TMD (Temporomandibula joint disorders) and can manifest as severe pain in the jaw itself or along the face, restricted jaw movements and noises such as clicking and popping from the TMJ during jaw movement.

Massage may help address the cause of TMJ disorders, whether the pain comes from a jaw injury, or simply fatigue from repeatedly grinding or clenching your teeth.

Following an assessment of your TMJ I will work on two areas:
The muscles of your neck and upper shoulders and the muscles around your jaw (these are known as the muscles of mastication). The neck and jaw have a particularly close working relationship, so tension in your neck and shoulders will often refer tension up into your jaw.
In order to get to the muscles around your jaw I will work intra-orally – what this means is that I will put gloves on and use pincer, pressure and myofascial techniques to release these muscles. This is followed by a stretch and some home-care exercises.

After your first treatment you should feel a difference but due to the chronic nature of this condition ongoing treatment may be required for a minimum of 6 sessions.