J A W P A I N &TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION

A M A S S A G E T H E R A P Y A P P R O A C H

“ AT PARKWOOD MASSAGE THERAPY EVERY CLIENT WILL RECEIVE THE VERY HIGHEST STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL CARE, TO AIDE IN THEIR WELL BEING, FROM THE MOMENT CONTACT IS MADE."

D Y S F U N C T I O N

HOW DOES MASSAGE HELP?

The jaw or temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is a target for an array of joint disorders.

Massage therapy is an ideal modality to relieve pain by focusing on the release of the contracted muscles that surround the TMJ as well as the muscles used for chewing (mastication). Just like getting a trigger point in your back and neck, you can also get them in your face and mouth – they are muscles, too!

T M J i s f r e q u e n t l y unacknowledged as a source of pain in many head, neck, face, and

vocal conditions. People who experience headaches, motor vehicle accidents, sport or work site injuries, often have jaw issues t h a t c a n a c c u m u l a t e t o overwhelming levels.

CLENCHING TEETH

Clenching teeth is a very common h a b i t d u r i n g s l e e p , w h i l e concentrating, or from stress. This often results in an accumulation of both compressive forces in the joints and asymmetrical muscle tightness which can lead to clicking, pain and ultimately joint damage.

Resolving the joint compression and muscular tightness can re-

pattern the jaw mechanics and save pain and difficulties decades later.

TREATMENT INVOLVES WORKING DIRECTLY ON THE CHEWING MUSCLES

Accessing the chewing muscles involves Intra-oral massage techniques, working inside the mouth for 20 to 30 seconds at a time, alternating between right and left sides. Releasing muscle tightness and joint compression fosters mechanical symmetry, addresses pain, and can contribute to improving your bite.

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All is well when the jaw joints work within functional symmetry, but if one side begins to move differently many compensatory patterns begin. these adaptive movements can be the beginning of a vicious cycle where some tissues are overworked and eventually become compromised.

A special friction-reducing disc inside the joint much like discs in the spine. The disc maintains the appropriate amount of space in the joint, and moves forward and back in co-ordination with the opening and c los ing o f the mouth . Jo in t compression and muscles tightness often accumulate resulting in an abnormally forward disc position. Then, as the jaw bone moves, the disc bunches up like a speed bump on the road, producing a “click”. If left untreated the disc itself can be perforated and begin to breakdown Leaving the joint vulnerable to pain and arthritis.

For many clients the pain of TMJ dysfunction is difficult to “move to the back burner”. It robs vitality, patience, powers of concentration and sleep depth, and can greatly affect a person’s quality of life. Consequently, even if it is not possible to fully resolve the TMJ issues, making a more manageable scenario is often highly valuable.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

TMD Treatment plan involves a series of 3 to 6 bi-weekly (twice monthly) 1 hour treatments are often required in an attempt to re-pattern the TMJ dysfunction. Treatment goals and criteria for d e t e c t i n g p r o g r e s s w i l l b e established. The sole purpose of frequent visits insure both you and massage therapist can measure level of treatment effectiveness of your TMD symptoms.

Most cases respond favourably with fewer duration of appointments needed. Other longstanding TMJ dysfunction cases can frequently be improved but not fully resolved. In these cases clients “graduate” after an initial series length of treatments to further spaced apart maintenance appointments either every few months or seasonal visits to keep old patterns from recurring. Or referral to a Dentist for a TMJ appliance given.

Massage Rate: $70.00 per 1 hour visit, which includes GST. Natalie Loughrin is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). Clients will be issued a sales receipt for insurance claims.

TMD — A MASSAGE THERAPY APPROACH

WWW.PARKWOODMASSAGETHERAPY.COM

W H Y D O S O M E J A W J O I N T S C L I C K ?

THE JAW IS EXCEPTIONAL IN THAT IT OPERATES AS TWO SEPARATE JOINTS BOUND TOGETHER BY ONE BONE - THE MANDIBLE. THE MUSCLES RESPONSIBLE FOR MOVING THE JOINTS TOGETHER WORK IN TANDEM WITH HOW THE OTHER TEETH FIT TOGETHER (OCCLUSION), ALONG WITH THE FIT AND MOVEMENT OF THE CRANIAL BONES, CREATING A SYSTEM OF INTERRELATED MECHANICS.

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TMD — A MASSAGE THERAPY APPROACH

S E E K I N G T H E C A U S E

• NECK PROBLEMS • lack of mobility • stiffness Neck pain • Tired, sore muscles • shoulder aches and backaches

Arm and finger numbness and/or pain

• HEAD PAIN, HEADACHE

• Forehead Temples Migraine type Sinus type

• Shooting pain up back of head

• JAW PROBLEMS • Clicking jaw joints Locks shut

or open

• Jaw deviates to one side when opening Limited opening of mouth

• Grating sounds Pain in cheek muscles

• EYES Pain behind eyes Sensitive to sunlight

• TEETH • Clenching • Grinding at night • Looseness and/or soreness of

back teeth that may be cracked from clenching

• EAR PROBLEMS • Hissing, buzzing or ringing

• Assessment begins with looking at the symmetry of the mouth opening and closing, and habits of clenching and/or grinding. The range of motion and function of the neck and shoulders, as well as dental history will all be considered. Pain is often reduced when the tightness of the neck a n d c h e w i n g m u s c l e s i s diminished or resolved.

• TMJ pain and dysfunction frequently involves a vicious cycle comprised of many primary and secondary components. The goal is to identify and separate the

components so that they are no longer influencing each other.

• TMJ pain and dysfunction may be secondary to other conditions. Those who are troubled with headaches often have clenching and TMJ dysfunction as a silent contributor. Many cases of low back pain also present TMJ difficulties. Motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries often lay down the foundation for TMJ issues. Massage therapy’s holistic approach and generously timed sessions will address these related issues as well.

D O Y O U S U F F E R F R O M A N Y O F T H E F O L L O W I N G

C O N D I T I O N S ?

“ AT PARKWOOD MASSAGE THERAPY EVERY CLIENT WILL RECEIVE THE VERY HIGHEST STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL CARE, TO AIDE IN THEIR WELL BEING, FROM THE MOMENT CONTACT IS MADE." 3

TMD — A MASSAGE THERAPY APPROACH

T R E A T M E N T S O R E N E S S

The Temporalis and Masseter muscles present a large factor in many clients TMJ dysfunction and as such there is a high potential for stirring up the “hive”of headache referral. This is especially true when combined with a history of headaches. It is essential that pain/tenderness levels be managed so that at all times the client is thinking, “That

hurts some, but feels good at the same time”. Often the “scale of 1 to 10” game can be used, where 7 or less is safe. or therapist will ask “ Is my pressure tolerable”. It cannot be stressed enough that t h e t r u s t r e l a t i o n s h i p i s paramount in intra-oral work.

There may be some treatment s o r e n e s s a ft e r w a r d . Th e

incremental nature of 30-second intervals intra-orally, as well as finishing with flushing neck and shoulder work help to manage such a possibility.

I encourage clients to drink plenty of water, get a good night sleep and consider this modified Epsom salts application below:

E P S O M S A L T C O M P R E S S : B E F O R E B E D T I M E

“ AT PARKWOOD MASSAGE THERAPY EVERY CLIENT WILL RECEIVE THE VERY HIGHEST STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL CARE, TO AIDE IN THEIR WELL BEING, FROM THE MOMENT CONTACT IS MADE."

• Pour 1.5 cups of Epsom salts into a bathroom sink of hot water

• Immerse 2 face cloths to absorb salt

• Wring out and apply to each cheek until the heat is neutralized, repeat as needed.

• Go to bed repeating over and over “ is there space between my teeth?”

- Think “credit card width” apart from upper and bottom teeth. This helps keep Masseter (chewing/clenching) muscles relaxed and reduce tension in the jaw.

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