When you think of getting a massage, you’re probably thinking of the neck, back, or feet. The jaw doesn’t seem to be a priority, much less an intraoral massage, which means hands going inside your mouth. However, anyone who deals with jaw pain should know the benefits of a TMJ massage and that it’s available through Via Medical Massage.
TMJ massage is a specialized therapy targeting the muscles around your jaw, neck, and head to help relieve tension, reduce pain, and improve function. No matter how long you’ve been dealing with TMJ issues, this type of massage can provide noticeable relief and help you break the cycle of clenching, grinding, and discomfort that often goes unchecked.
How does intraoral TMJ massage therapy work, and what should you expect at your first session? Let’s take a look.
Understanding TMJ Pain vs TMD
Often, TMJ and TMD are used interchangeably, but they are two different things.
- TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint): The actual hinge joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. You have one on each side of your jaw.
- TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder): A condition affecting the TMJ and surrounding muscles, often causing pain, clicking, limited movement, or tension.
So when your TMJ is stressed or tense, it can cause TMD. Medical providers like dentists, physical therapists, pain management doctors, and primary care physicians can diagnose TMD.
TMJ massage is designed to help ease those symptoms; it won’t cure the condition.
Who Is a Good Candidate for TMJ Massage?
You don’t need a formal TMJ or TMD diagnosis to benefit from this kind of massage. If you’re dealing with jaw tension, facial pain, clenching or grinding your teeth, or headaches that seem to start near your temples or jaw, TMJ massage might be worth exploring.
It’s also a good fit for people who:
- Wake up with a sore or stiff jaw
- Feel a clicking or popping when opening their mouth
- Notice tension or pain around the ears, cheeks, or temples
- Grind their teeth at night (bruxism) or clench their jaw during the day
- Have a history of dental work, orthodontics, or high stress levels
- Experience tinnitus from jaw tension
Even if your symptoms are mild or come and go, addressing the muscle tension early can help prevent it from becoming chronic. TMJ massage can be part of your self-care routine or a complement to other treatments like physical therapy, bite guards, or stress management.
What to Expect During a TMJ Massage
If the thought of someone working on your jaw makes you tense up even more, don’t worry. A TMJ massage is much gentler than you might expect, and your therapist will walk you through every step.
It usually starts with work around your neck, shoulders, and face to release tension in the surrounding muscles. From there, they’ll focus on the jaw itself, targeting the masseter (your main chewing muscle), temporalis (near your temples), and other facial muscles that often hold onto stress.
Courtney Johnson, LMT, at Via Medical Massage in Lincoln, Nebraska, specializes in head, neck, and jaw-related issues and offers both external and intraoral massage. In the Omaha (Elkhorn) office, Libbie Appleby-Leo and Diana Gould also offer intraoral TMJ work.
Intraoral massage includes your therapist wearing gloves and gently working on the muscles inside your cheek to reach deeper layers of tension. It might feel a little strange at first, but it’s a highly effective technique for people dealing with stubborn jaw pain.
Plus, the Via Medical Massage therapist will show you at-home exercises to do to relieve tension between appointments. Studies show that TMJ massage techniques by a professional with at-home care can manage pain and improve mobility in the jaw.
TMJ Massage Now Available in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska
Whether you just want to alleviate some facial tension or you’ve been diagnosed with TMD, don’t hesitate to get the much-needed relief TMJ massage provides. Schedule a session with Courtney Johnson, LMT, of Via Medical Massage in Lincoln. You can also book with Libbie Appleby-Leo and Diane Gould in our Omaha (Elkhorn) office.
It can be an individual service (select TMJ & Intraoral Massage) or part of full-body work.
