Treatment for TMJ Disorder Symptoms
The TMJ or temporomadibular joint is the hinge joint between the temporal bone and the lower mandible, allowing for mastication.
TMJ Dysfunction or disorder is a condition associated with this joint and the following symptoms:
- Pain around the jaw, ear and temple
- Clicking, popping or grinding noises when opening the mouth
- Headache
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Jaw locking
- Bad sleep
Very often the symptoms subside on their own in a few days or weeks but also very often they don’t. In this case this presentation can become a very debilitating one.
What to do if the symptoms are not going anywhere?
There is a lot of misinformation and lack of information within the health system regarding TMJD and its causes, usually resulting in lack of effective treatment methods to deal with it, leaving people experiencing this presentation at the merci and hoping for the symptoms to subside.
If the symptoms are affecting your quality of life I advise you to get TMJ-specialised soft tissue release treatment.
What Causes TMJD?
In most cases TMJD symptoms are a result of irritation of the Myofascial tissue surrounding the joint, face, neck and shoulders.
When this tissue becomes irritated it can trigger pain and cause restrictions in range of motion. Some other symptoms that are usually associated with TMJD and triggered by the same Myofascial tissue are: tinnitus, clenching or grinding, anxiety.
One of the only, most effective and non-invasive treatment methods for TMJ dysfunction symptoms is therefore, Myofascial Release.
Myofascial release therapy is the treatment of the fascia or Myofascial tissue.
In the context of TMJ dysfunction, the TMJ or temporomandibular joint which is surrounded by myofascial tissue (like any other joint) can become irritated by the presence of restrictions or inflation of the surrounding myofascial tissue. When the tissue around the TMJ, face, neck and shoulders becomes irritated it can trigger the pain and symptoms characteristic of TMJD: headaches, clenching, increased feeling of stress, difficulty sleeping, etc. (See list above)
Myofascial release therapy
Myofascial release therapy is the treatment of the fascia or Myofascial tissue.
The fascia is one of the connective tissues in our body. It’s a spider web-like tissue that holds our organs, muscles and bones in place. It’s a highly sensitive tissue (it has more nerve endings than the skin itself) and it responds to both chemical changes and pressure changes in our body. Two examples are stress (for a chemical stressor) and postural patterns (for a pressure stressor).
Read more about the myofascial release here
Myofascial release therapy consists of a combination of advanced myofascial techniques including Trigger Point therapy.
Trigger Point therapy
Trigger point therapy is a type of therapeutic hands-on treatment that focuses on releasing “trigger points” in the body. A Trigger point or a Myofascial Trigger Point (MTP) is a hyper-irritable spot, usually a palpable nodule in a taut band of the skeletal muscle’s fascia.
What causes the Myofascial tissue to get irritated?
The Myofascial tissue can often become irritated due to factors such as stress (most frequent), poor posture that contributes to the build up of trigger points and restrictions in the area, or overuse.
How does a TMJ specialised Myofascial Release session work?
Myofascial Release therapy for TMJ dysfunction typically involves the therapist applying gentle, sustained pressure to the affected myofascial tissue around the jaw, face, neck and shoulder area.
The Myofascial tissue it’s alive and ever changing, sustained pressure causes the tissue to let go of Trigger points.
Sustained pressure also affects the distribution of the myofascial tissue, that adapts to new demands.
During the first session, the therapist will carry out a consultation and postural assessment before starting with the treatment. The treatment for this kind of presentation usually requires the client to commit to a block of 4-6 weekly sessions. Due to its nature and complexity an effective treatment will also usually require some life style changes.
During the weeks the therapist will release the Myofascial structures contributing to the symptoms, including intra-oral work when needed.
The therapist may also teach the patient self-care techniques to manage symptoms at home, such as specific stretches or breathing techniques.
Break down of the muscles and trigger points frequently involved in TMJD:
In the following pictures the “x” marks the location of the Trigger point within the muscle and the red marks the location of the pain and or TMJ Disorder symptoms.
SCM
Upper Trapezius
Masseter
Temporalis
Pterygoid
About the author
Rocio Santiago
MA in Nursing, Dip. Soft Tissue Therapy
Ro initially began her career as a nurse. Following this and after a difficult time in her life that resulted in a career change, Ro went on to train at one of the leading soft tissue therapy schools in Europe, completing a 3 year degree level course and specialising in effective soft tissue manipulation for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
The treatment method Ro uses consists of a combined approach using different specialised techniques, myofascial release and trigger point work among others, with the intention and focus on providing effective results in the least possible amount of time.
Combining her training, science background and life experience, her treatment method is based in science and built using a whole body approach, where mind and body are addressed as one.
Ro has been seeing clients as a soft tissue therapist for 8 years, successfully treating a wide range of conditions.