Three Massage Techniques That May Help TMJ Pain
Posted on: 2 August 2023
Pain in your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) can cause all sorts of discomfort in your jaw, as well as lead to headaches. Many people suffer from TMJ pain, and it's good to see a local massage therapist for help. These healthcare practitioners have lots of experience treating this type of pain and may be able to alleviate the symptoms that are affecting your daily life. It's common for a massage therapist to use several different massage techniques for this condition. Here are three techniques that your therapist may decide to use.
Myofascial Release
When you have TMJ pain, it's not only your muscles that are causing discomfort. The fascia, which is a layer of connective tissue over the muscles, will also be tight and have restrictions. Myofascial release therapy feels different than other massage techniques. Your therapist will squeeze and manipulate your fascia, which can feel both invigorating and pleasant. As they target the affected areas, the fascia will loosen up. This, in turn, can help the muscles to loosen, too. The result can be considerably less TMJ pain by the end of your appointment.
Trigger Point Massage
Another technique that your therapist will use to treat your TMJ pain is trigger point massage. This is a type of massage that specifically targets acute pain in certain parts of your muscles. Your therapist will put steady pressure on certain areas with the tips of their fingers until these restrictions can release. As the restrictions release, more oxygenated blood can flow into the area. This will help to reduce your pain, which is especially important if your TMJ issues are causing severe headaches. There may be several specific points around your jaw that require trigger point massage, depending on the severity of the condition.
Swedish Massage
When people think of massage, they often picture Swedish massage. This is a type of massage that involves kneading the muscles throughout the body at varying levels of pressure. While myofascial release and trigger point massage can both be effective at treating TMJ pain, there's a good chance that your massage therapist will also use Swedish massage if you're dealing with this issue. They'll use their fingers and even the heels of their hands to move along your jaw muscles with the goal of loosening them up. If you have TMJ pain that is causing significant distress in your life, find a massage therapist in your area and book an appointment.
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