Cranial Sacral Therapy for TMJ
Description
According to the Canadian Dental Association, the temporomandibular joint is located on either side of the ears and connects the jawbone, or the mandible, to your skull. This is the joint that helps you do things like chew, swallow, talk and yawn. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) occurs with excessive teeth grinding or clenching, jaw injury, stress, head or neck tension, and now, repeated or prolonged use of masks. Common symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness, clicking or popping, grinding, or trouble opening and closing the mouth. TMJ massage works the muscles around the temporomandibular joint to help relieve pain and tension. This includes intra-oral work to address the muscles of mastication. I will start by releasing the muscles in the upper back and shoulders. They will also work through your collar bone, chest, and neck to help relax all of the areas surrounding and connected to the temporomandibular joint. I will work extra-orally, or outside of the mouth. When working outside, I will focus on your chewing muscles around the face. I will then work intra-orally, or in the mouth on the muscles of mastication. Prior to beginning intra-oral massage I will put on a pair of gloves and develop a stop signal.
