TMJ-Dysfunction

tmj-dysfunctionWhat is TMJ-Dysfunction?

Temporomandibular Disorders, more commonly known as "TMJ-D" is a term to describe a jaw joint disorder and the muscles that control the joints. The head, neck and facial pain associated with TMJ-D problems often masquerade as a multitude of other conditions such as sinus headaches, migraines, neck and shoulder stiffness and earaches. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ-D problems.

Symptoms of TMJ-Dysfunction

Pain is the most common TMJ symptom. The pain is often described as a transient, dull ache in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear. Instead of pain, some sufferers only have problems in the use of their jaws. Additional symptoms of TMJ can include:

  • Inability to open the mouth comfortably
  • Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint
  • Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth
  • Headaches
  • A bite that feels uncomfortable or “off”
  • Neck, shoulder and back pain
  • Swelling on the side of the face
  • Tinnitus or ear pain
  • Dizziness

Causes of TMJ-Dysfunction

TMJ-D can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Local injury
  • Dental work/oral surgery
  • Whiplash
  • Arthritis
  • Widespread joint pain from another condition
  • Sinus or ear infections
  • Headaches
  • Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
  • Stress

Although teeth grinding and stress are not the leading causes of TMJ-D, difficulty relaxing may be a common cause many sufferers are unaware of. Holding the body tout, including the jaw, is a common response to stress. Whether metaphorical for “keeping one’s mouth shut,” a result of the incredible strength and control we have over the mandible, or due to another reason, emotional tension can easily be reflected in the temporomandibular joint.

Treatment / Prevention of TMJ-Dysfunction

The following guidelines are for information purposes only. Seeking professional advice before beginning rehabilitation is recommended.

Massage Therapy

“Bodywork” or Massage Therapy is an ideal modality to relieve the pain of TMJ-D. According to medical massage proponent Boris Prilutsky, “Massage therapy should be focused toward the reduction of tension in the masticatory muscles, releasing tension in fascia, and elimination of trigger points. Post-isometric relaxation is an extremely important tool for the restoration of the range of motion.” Your TMJ Specialists at Advanced Alternatives Massage Therapy have furthered their education in post graduate medical modalities to assist you in finding relief from this painful condition.

Training in the following five modalities is particularly valuable when treating jaw pain:

  1. Neuromuscular Therapy - The application of ischemic pressure to trigger points in the jaw muscles (temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid, and medial pterygoid) can help relieve their spasms.
  2. Cranial-Sacral Therapy - In addition to activating the classic stillpoint, adjustments to the mastoid, temporal, zygomatic and sphenoid bones can provide enormous TMJ-D relief.
  3. Post-Isometric Relaxation – Using isometric contraction to actively stretch tensed muscle fibers, adding minimal resistance for a further stretch, followed by relaxation allows for enhanced relief of the targeted muscle. This technique can restore the range of motion that typically regresses with TMJ-D disorders.
  4. Acupressure – Massaging the meridians, both distally and locally, that wind around the jaw can bring increased circulation and thus relief to TMJ-D. The primary meridians to the jaw are Gallbladder, Stomach, Large Intestine and Triple Warmer.
  5. Swedish Massage – The relaxation that results from a full-body Swedish massage should not be underestimated. Since stress is a major contributor to TMJ-D disorders, initiation of the relaxation response can have a significant impact in reducing tension held in the jaw.

For bodyworkers, TMJ-D is no mystery. Many clients present jaw pain as their primary complaint, or as a secondary nuisance. Approaching TMJ-D pain by utilizing techniques from the described five modalities provides an inclusive, holistic and effective treatment.