TMJ Isolation

The TMJ. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Many of us have heard of it, and many more have not, but all of us use it daily. It is the point where our jawbone connects to our skull, acting like a sliding hinge.

Understanding TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can cause significant pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. The exact cause of a person's TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, arthritis, or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth (bruxism), although many people habitually clench or grind their teeth and never develop TMJ disorders.

Symptoms of TMJ Issues

• Pain or tenderness of your jaw.
• Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints.
• Aching pain in and around your ear.
• Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing.
• Aching facial pain.
• Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth.

How Can Massage Help?

Remedial massage and specific myofascial release techniques can be highly effective in treating TMJ disorders. A trained therapist can release the tight muscles surrounding the jaw (like the masseter and temporalis), as well as address tension in the neck and shoulders, which often contributes to jaw pain.