About Our TMJ Massage Therapy
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ for short) is responsible for movement of the lower jaw. It in combination of the surrounding soft tissue is considered one of the most complex joints in the body due to a variety of movements which allow for speaking, chewing, grinding, swallowing and yawning. It is also very important for its relation to the ears, head, and neck. TMJ dysfunction is often caused by unconscious clenching and/or grinding of the teeth, but can also be from overuse, or structural abnormalities of the joint itself.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction
Because the joint is so complex the symptom picture can really vary person to person. Pain in the face is usually what causes someone to seek treatment. Sometimes patients not only feel discomfort in the joint itself but can also experience referred pain along the jaw line, cheeks, around the eye, into the head, and even into the ear causing earaches, or tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Difficulty chewing or swallowing, clicking or locking of the jaw while opening or closing the mouth as well as neck pain and tension are also common complaints.
TMJ massage is the treatment of the temporomandibular joint, as well as the surrounding soft tissues. Massage to treat temporomandibular dysfunction is most commonly done around the TMJ, face, head, and neck. Depending on what is causing the dysfunction, massage may also be done inside the mouth to address muscles inaccessible from the outside; this is called intra-oral massage.
What to expect during TMJ massage appointments
Your Registered Massage Therapist will do an assessment, first asking questions about symptoms and then examining movement of the TMJ and neck. Based on their assessment, your therapist will then discuss with you the areas to be treated, including determining if intra-oral massage is indicated. After treatment your therapist may reassess the joint and provide you with home care recommendations.
Intra-Oral Massage
Your Registered Massage Therapist will do an assessment, first asking questions about symptoms and then examining movement of the TMJ and neck. Based on their assessment, your therapist will then discuss with you the areas to be treated. After treatment, your therapist may reassess the joint and provide you with home care recommendations, and a treatment plan.
At Bronte Wellness Boutique, Ayesha Jackson and Danielle Mitchell are the registered massage therapists who have a special interest in TMJ disorders and experience in helping you relieve TMJ pain. Book with the online today!
