Massage for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

Massage for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)


What Causes TMD?

We don’t know what causes TMD, but symptoms arise from problems with the muscles of your jaw or with the parts of the joint itself. Injury to your jaw, the joint, or the muscles of your head and neck can lead to TMD. Other issues that can lead to TMD are things like, grinding or clenching your teeth, slipping of the disc between the ball and socket of the TMJ, arthritis, or stress.

 What Are the Symptoms?

TMD often causes severe pain and discomfort than can be temporary or last many years and it can affect one or both sides of your face.

 Common symptoms include:


  • Problems when you try to open your mouth wide

  • Jaws that get "stuck" or "locked" open or closed

  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint

  • A tired feeling in your face

  • Trouble chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite

  • Swelling on the side of your face



How does massage help with TMD?

Massage can be a very useful technique to help with TMD. There are several different ways this can happen. You can massage the neck and shoulders, around the ears, the muscles of the face, and the muscles of the jaw, both on the outside and intra-orally (massaging inside the mouth with gloved hands). There are several different techniques that can also be used.





Swedish Massage – The relaxation that results from a full-body Swedish massage should not be underestimated. Since stress is a major contributor to TMD, initiation of the relaxation response can have a significant impact in reducing tension held in the jaw.


Massage can be an integral part of your TMD treatment plan and can provide amazing relief. Ask about scheduling a TMD massage today.