How to Give a TMJ Massage

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a strong joint that is located in front of both ears where the skull and lower jaw articulates. It contains fibrocartilage meniscus that helps in easing up the motion of the joint, and some strong group of muscles that are responsible for its stability and overall movement--they are the temporalis, masseter, the lateral and the medial pterygoid, collectively known as the muscles of mastication. The temporomandibular joint is among the most frequently used joint of the body; it plays a very important role in moving the mouth when we eat or chew, speak or execute facial expressions. Bruxism is considered as one of the main causes of pain in the TMJ. It refers to hours of unconscious grinding of the teeth brought about by excessive contraction of the muscles of mastication. This is usually seen when the person is asleep and is an indication of stress. Prolonged teeth gritting will result to pain and reduced range of motion of the joint, along with severe headaches and painful clicks or pops as the joint is moved. To restore range of motion and relieve pain discomforts, TMJ massage is the best method there is; steps are presented as follows.

Things You'll Need

• Massage table
• Massage oil

Instructions

1. 

   Ask your client to lie prone (on her stomach) on the massage table. Position yourself at the head of the massage bed and place an ample amount of massage oil on the topmost muscle of the upper back (upper trapezius). Massage the upper trapezius for one minute to improve circulation and promote muscle relaxation of that area up to the neck and on to the muscles of the TMJ.

2. Use the fingertips of your hands to massage both sides of the neck area just below the back of the ears. Perform a soft circular massage along that area for three minutes.

3. Continue doing the circular movements of your fingertips as you move them all the way up to the upper part of the neck just below the base of the skull. Now cease the circular motion and place your finger tips along the base of the occipital bone (bottom area located on the back of the head). Massage around that area by moving each of your fingertips, as if you are pressing piano keys, using a gradual increasing pressure. Do this motion for three to four minutes.

4. Tell your client to relax the jaw muscles as you position both your hands beside the ears. Now place your fingertips slightly in front of the area below the ear lobes to massage the muscles of mastication. Do smooth circular motions of your fingertips along that area and continue moving upward to the sides of the ears, up to the temporal bone. Do this motion for five to seven minutes.

5. 

   Instruct your client to lie supine (on her back) on the massage table. Ask your client to open her mouth wide and then place your left thumb over her chin to support and stabilize her lower jaw. Using the fingertips of your right hand, do circular massage around the muscles of mastication on the right area of the face along sides of the chin, mouth and cheeks, moving up to the right temporal bone. Do this motion for five to seven minutes and then perform the same procedure on the left side. Reduce the duration of your massage to four minutes if you are doing it on the affected side.

6. Apply compression along the trigger points of the muscles if the client complains of pain on a certain area. Trigger points are the very spot to where sharp pain is localized. As you massage along the muscles of mastication and the client complains of pain over a certain spot, stop on that very area and do the trigger point ischemic compression. Place the tip of your fingers or middle finger over the trigger point and apply a steady gradual compression of about 10 seconds or up to the maximum pain threshold of your client, and then quickly release.Ischemic compression of trigger points helps to improve circulation around that painful spot. As you gradually compress, you are allowing blood to accumulate around the compressed area. And with a quick release of the compression, there will be a rush of blood along the arteries of that area, which is beneficial in alleviating pain and discomfort. If the client has high tolerance for pain, you can increase the compression for up to 20 seconds. But be careful not to go beyond the clients’ threshold.

7. Ask your client to open her mouth normally. Place both your thumbs over her chin and instruct the client to close her mouth. As she attempts to close her mouth, apply an adequate amount of resistance on the chin to prevent the closing of the mouth. Hold the resistance for about 30 seconds and release. Repeat this method twice.

8. Tell your client to close her mouth and relax. With your thumbs still poisoned over her chin, instruct her to take a deep breath (inhale) through her nose and then exhale. During exhalation, simultaneously open her mouth as wide as you can, using both your thumbs--to perform a passive stretch of the muscles of mastication. Repeat this method twice.

Tips & Warnings

• As you apply pressure when doing ischemic compression of the trigger points, make sure to constantly ask your client if the pressure you are applying is tolerable or not. Remember, you are doing this to reduce her agony and not making it worse.

• When you release your fingertips as you do ischemic compression, make it a quick release for a more effective result. With swift release of your fingertips, arterial blood will quickly rush on to the area of the trigger point, which will help relieve the pain.

• Advise your client to refrain from eating hard foods and chewing gums; these activities should be avoided to relax the TMJ muscles and promote a faster process of healing.

• Place a hot moist pack for about 25 minutes around the TMJ area--another way to reduce pain.