TMJ Dysfunction Treatment: How Myofascial Release Therapy Can Relieve Your Jaw Pain and Tension | Expert Guide
Understanding TMJD and Its Impact
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD) are disorders of the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and the nerves linked to chronic pain around the jaw joint.
TMJD is a very common presentation that affects millions of people worldwide, characterised by jaw pain, headaches, difficulty eating and opening the mouth, clenching, anxiety and tinnitus or ear ringing between others.
The exact cause for TMJD is often hard to determine as it can be caused by multiple factors working together.
However, research suggests that TMJD is often primarily a myofascial pain disorder.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research classifies TMD by the following:
- Myofascial pain. This is the most common form of TMD. It results in discomfort or pain in the connective tissue covering the muscles (fascia) and the muscles that control jaw, neck, and shoulder function.
- Internal derangement of the joint. This means a dislocated jaw or displaced disk.
- Degenerative joint disease. This includes osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint.
You can have 1 or more of these conditions at the same time.
TMJD and the Myofascial tissue
We mentioned above that imbalances in the Myofascial tissue are the main most common cause for TMJD symptoms.
The presence of Trigger points and Myofascial restrictions in the muscles of mastication (jaw muscles) and surrounding areas, face, neck and shoulder area can directly trigger TMJD symptoms of jaw pain, headaches, difficulty eating and opening the mouth, clenching, anxiety and tinnitus or ear ringing between others (We’ll elaborate on this topic farther down).
Not only do Myofascial restrictions and Myofascial Trigger Points directly cause the symptoms described above but they can and do also very often contribute to the development of the other 2 causes for TMJD mentioned by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
This is possible due to the tensegrity nature of the human body, the role and characteristics of the Myofascial tissue within it.
As a tensegrity system our body’s musculoskeletal balance is maintained by tension- compressional forces where myofascial tissue plays a crucial role in maintaining structural integrity. Just like a tensegrity structure uses tension and compression elements to maintain stability, our body uses the myofascial network to distribute forces and maintain shape.
The fascia forms an interconnected web throughout the body, connecting muscles, bones, and organs. When restrictions develop in one area, they can create compensatory patterns elsewhere due to this continuous network. In TMJD, restrictions in the body can affect the TMJ and vice-verse.
This tensegrity principle explains why restrictions anywhere in the body travel throughout the body’s fascial network ultimately affecting the jaw joints and vice-verse, and why comprehensive treatment must consider these broader connections rather than focusing solely on the jaw joint.
Myofascial Release Therapy and TMJD
Myofascial release therapy is a specialised manual therapy technique that focuses on addressing the fascia.
The fascia is a continuous sheet of connective tissue that wraps around every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as all of our internal organs. Think of it as a three-dimensional web of tissue that extends from head to toe, providing support, protection, and structure to our body.
This intricate network consists primarily of collagen fibers, elastin, and a ground substance that allows the tissue to stretch and move.
When healthy, the fascia is flexible and can glide smoothly, but it can become restricted due to injury, stress, inflammation, or poor posture.
Why do Myofascial restrictions develop in the jaw
The Myofascial tissue is an extremely sensitive organ, with more nerve receptors than the skin itself, it responds to changes in our body at an astonishing speed.
- Stress is at the top cause for Myofascial release restrictions. Stress is very much linked with TMJ disorder symptoms. The Myofascial tissue has receptors that respond to chemical changes in the blood that happen as a result of the fight or flight response typical in chronic stress.
- Inflammation of the Myofascial tissue due to different causes.
- Poor posture affecting head and neck alignment as we covered above.
- Direct trauma or injury to the jaw area.
- Repetitive strain.
- Dental work or orthodontic aligners.
Myofascial Release Therapy for TMJ Relief
As we covered above, Myofascial Pain is the most common cause of TMJD.
Myofascial release therapy is therefore the most effective treatment option for TMJD symptomatology.
During treatment, the therapist will focus on:
- Identifying areas of fascial restriction
- Working on both local jaw muscles and connected facial networks
- Addressing related areas such as the neck, shoulders, and cranial structures that may be either directly triggering the symptoms or contributing to the presentation.
- Working on the whole body aiming to restore parasympathetic nervous system activity.
Benefits of Choosing Myofascial Release for TMJD
This treatment approach offers several advantages:
- Non-invasive and drug-free
- Very affordable
- Addresses root causes rather than just symptoms
- Provides long-lasting relief
- Can prevent future episodes
- Improves overall facial and neck mobility
- Improves overall health and feeling of wellbeing
- It’s relaxing, improving mental health
- It’s healing and it feels great to receive
When to Seek Treatment
Consider seeking myofascial release therapy if you experience:
- Persistent jaw pain or discomfort
- Recurring headaches
- Limited jaw movement
- Difficulty eating or speaking
- Ear ringing or tinnitus
- Teeth clenching and grinding
- Neck and shoulder pain
Expected Outcomes
Results vary in each individual case specially with such a complex presentation. However most of our patients experience great improvement around session 3-4 of weekly sessions of myofascial release therapy.
Benefits typically include:
- Reduced or fully resolved pain and discomfort
- Improved pain free jaw mobility
- Reduction of clicking popping sounds
- Better eating function
- Reduced or fully resolved headaches
- Reduced or fully resolved neck and shoulder pain/tightness
- Reduced or fully resolved ear ringing or tinnitus
- Reduced or fully resolved clenching/grinding
- Reduced anxiety
- Overall improvement of health and increased feeling of wellbeing
- Overall improvement of soft tissue balance in the whole body
Myofascial Trigger Points that directly cause TMJD symptoms
The presence of Trigger points and Myofascial restrictions in the muscles of mastication (jaw muscles) and surrounding areas, face, neck and shoulder area can directly trigger TMJD symptoms of jaw pain, headaches, difficulty eating and opening the mouth, clenching, anxiety and tinnitus or ear ringing between others.
These Trigger Points can mimic other conditions and get often misdiagnosed with more serious presentations.
Trigger points (commonly referred to as knots) are hyper-irritable spots within a taut band of skeletal muscle.
These points are often painful to compression can cause both local pain or referred pain and symptoms in predictable patterns and areas away from the actual trigger point location.
In the context of TMJD, trigger points are commonly present in the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles, as well as in neck and shoulders muscles.
These trigger points can refer pain to the teeth, ears, and temple areas, creating complex pain patterns that are characteristic of TMJD.
Here are some examples of Trigger Point pain patterns associated with TMJD:
Masseter
Temporalis
Upper trapezius
Suboccipitals
Conclusion
Myofascial release therapy offers a powerful, non-invasive and affordable approach to treating TMJD. By addressing both direct symptoms and potential underlying causes, Myofascial release can provide long lasting relief and improved quality of life for those suffering from jaw pain and tension.
Remember: Every individual’s experience with TMJD is unique. Working with a qualified myofascial release therapist ensures a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and symptoms.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and this blog post resonates book yourself in for an assessment- treatment, we’d love to help.
Resources:
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Cedars-Sinai. (n.d.). Articles. [online] Available at: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/t/temporomandibular-disorders-tmd.html.
Myers, T.W. (2020). ANATOMY TRAINS : myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Travell, J.G. (n.d.). Travell and simons’ myofascial pain and dysfunction. Vol.1 Lippincott Williams.