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cranial sacral massage, massage, massage benefits, massage therapy, massage therapy treatment, Rainwater spa, Swedish massage, TMJ, TMJ relief, treat TMJ
TMJ is a common jaw ailment that affects the lives of many. In fact, more than 10,000,000 people in the United States suffer from TMJ-related symptoms as reported by the National Institutes of Health.
TMJ refers to the jaw or temporomandibular joint that is the focal point of many different jaw problems and disorders. This temporomandibular joint is what connects the mandible to the skull; it helps us bite, chew, swallow, talk, and create different facial expressions. When this joint is overused or is strained from stress or emotional uncertainty, the joint is unable to function properly.
One of the most common symptoms of TMJ is pain. TMJ sufferers will usually show signs of discomfort such as an aching sensation in the jaw joint and surrounding areas like ears and neck. There are other symptoms that are typical in TMJ disorders. These are some of the symptoms you may experience with jaw pain or TMJ:
• Headaches or migraines
• Locking of the jaw when opening or closing the mouth
• Discomfort when biting or chewing
• Unable to comfortably open the mouth
• Clicking or popping sounds coming from the jaw joint
• Pain in the shoulders, neck, and back
• Swelling of the side of the face
• Dizzy spells
• Earaches
If you are one of those who suffer from TMJ or jaw pain, there are different options when it comes to treatment. Jaw surgery to reconstruct the temporomandibular joint is highly unlikely in mild cases of TMJ and is used as a last resort. The ideal treatment for TMJ is massage therapy. With the help of healing touch, you’ll feel relief rather quickly.
When dealing with jaw pain, the following massage modalities prove to be the most advantageous in alleviating TMJ:
Neuromuscular Therapy
If you suffer from jaw spasms due to stress or emotional burdens, the neuromuscular therapy will alleviate your problem by applying pressure to the jaw muscle’s trigger points.
Acupressure
Acupressure helps to align the meridians found in our bodies. This allows our circulation to regulate and relieve TMJ symptoms. Primary jaw meridians are the stomach, gallbladder, and large intestine.
Cranial-Sacral Massage
Cranial-Sacral massage focuses on the head, neck, and shoulders. Alleviating built-up tension that we carry in our necks and facial features will allow TMJ problems to significantly reduce.
Swedish Massage
We often think of a Swedish massage as a relaxation massage but it comes with a slew of its own benefits as well. Creating a relaxation response to TMJ symptoms will reduce jaw tension and stress.
By using these massage treatments to help with TMJ disorders, your jaw will be receiving the most affective therapy for its pain symptoms while improving its range of motion. Enjoy one of these massage modalities at Rainwater Spa and we will surely help alleviate your jaw’s discomfort.