Massage Therapy for TMJD
Many people suffer from pain in their jaw, face, and head due to TMJD. TMJD is the acronym for the joint between the temporal bone (located on the side of the head) and the mandible (jaw bone), which is why it is called the TemporoMandibularJoint. The "D" is for Dysfunction or Disorder.
We will refer to this joint as the TMJ. The TMJ is a hinge type joint that helps with speech, eating, chewing, and opening and closing the mouth. There are a lot of muscles involved in making this joint work. These muscles can develop trigger points and, when tight, can cause headaches, muscle spasms, and other annoying types of pain, as you will see.
In the picture above, you will notice the Temporo Mandibular Joint. This is a hinge joint that connects the mandible (jawbone) to the temporal bone, which is one of the bones of the skull. There is a disc in between the mandible and temporal bone called the intra-articular disc. This disc acts as a cushion that allows the joint to move back and forth (extending and retracting the jaw) and also side to side (for chewing and flexibility). There are many muscles that allow this joint to move in these directions.
Temporomandibular joint disorders can occur because of a blow to the jaw or other trauma, by stress (which can cause one to clinch or grind their teeth while sleeping), by chewing gum (overdevelopment of the muscles by continuous exercise), chewing food on one side of the mouth, etc. Clenching or grinding of the teeth can cause the intra-articular disc to wear down and you may hear a clicking or popping sound as you open and close your mouth. Also, you may notice that one side of your jaw opens wider than the other.
I also have the client go through each motion of the jaw and determine which motion causes pain. If a person comes in complaining of TMJD and has a high-stress level, I factor in the stress and ask if they wear an appliance at night to help with night-time grinding. Getting such an appliance is usually given by a dentist. Once I assess, I can then begin to massage the joint and the muscles that affect the joint. By using a variety of techniques; active release, trigger point, myofascial release, and even intra-oral massage, I have achieved great success in treating TMJD.
Eugene Wood is a Licensed Massage Therapist located in Nassau County NY. Learn more about advanced massage therapy by visiting his website at www.eugenewoodmassage.com
We will refer to this joint as the TMJ. The TMJ is a hinge type joint that helps with speech, eating, chewing, and opening and closing the mouth. There are a lot of muscles involved in making this joint work. These muscles can develop trigger points and, when tight, can cause headaches, muscle spasms, and other annoying types of pain, as you will see.
What is TMJD?
A picture is worth a thousand words:
In the picture above, you will notice the Temporo Mandibular Joint. This is a hinge joint that connects the mandible (jawbone) to the temporal bone, which is one of the bones of the skull. There is a disc in between the mandible and temporal bone called the intra-articular disc. This disc acts as a cushion that allows the joint to move back and forth (extending and retracting the jaw) and also side to side (for chewing and flexibility). There are many muscles that allow this joint to move in these directions.
Temporomandibular joint disorders can occur because of a blow to the jaw or other trauma, by stress (which can cause one to clinch or grind their teeth while sleeping), by chewing gum (overdevelopment of the muscles by continuous exercise), chewing food on one side of the mouth, etc. Clenching or grinding of the teeth can cause the intra-articular disc to wear down and you may hear a clicking or popping sound as you open and close your mouth. Also, you may notice that one side of your jaw opens wider than the other.
Types of Massage for TMJD Can Vary
Stress is a major cause of TMJD. Very often, when people clench their jaw, abnormal pressure is put on the joint itself and can cause the discs to wear down, causing pain or changing one's bite. The jaw muscles inside and/or outside of the mouth can develop trigger points. The whole head, neck, and shoulders can be affected. Assessing one's daily habits, stress level, and determining which muscles are involved is key to giving a great treatment. I begin the treatment by assessing the joint's range of motion.
I also have the client go through each motion of the jaw and determine which motion causes pain. If a person comes in complaining of TMJD and has a high-stress level, I factor in the stress and ask if they wear an appliance at night to help with night-time grinding. Getting such an appliance is usually given by a dentist. Once I assess, I can then begin to massage the joint and the muscles that affect the joint. By using a variety of techniques; active release, trigger point, myofascial release, and even intra-oral massage, I have achieved great success in treating TMJD.
Eugene Wood is a Licensed Massage Therapist located in Nassau County NY. Learn more about advanced massage therapy by visiting his website at www.eugenewoodmassage.com
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