What is an intraoral massage?
Intra-Oral massage* is a safe and effective manual technique that works on muscles inside the mouth. This technique can be intense, but it is not necessarily painful. Since it deals with muscles that are rarely touched, they respond to slow, methodic and gentle pressure. Related to cranio sacral but in it's own right stands alone as separate category of bodywork.
During Treatment: Gloves are worn while working inside the mouth to release the muscles and fascia involved with chewing and jaw clenching. Other areas that are typically worked during this type of treatment may include; muscles in the back and front of the neck, muscles on the outside of the mouth, scalp and muscles at the base of the skull. The results can be life-changing for those with chronic pain.
TMJ Dysfunction affects an estimated 10 million Americans frequently between ages 20 and 40, more commonly found in women than men. Listed below are some frequent causes and symptoms of TMJD.
Signs and Symptoms:
TMJ noise (clicking, popping, or grinding)
Headaches and migraines
Muscle spams in the head, jaw, neck and shoulder
Mandible deviations with movement
Postural dysfunctions, head forward posture
Limited opening
Earaches including congestion and pain
Swelling on the side of the face
Vertigo (dizziness)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Nausea
Clenching/bruxism (grinding)
Facial pain
Fatigued facial muscles
Tender, sensitive teeth
Difficulty chewing
Cervical (neck) pain
Postural problems
If either you have been diagnosed with TMD or have pain in the jaw, by the ears, forehead, back of the head, neck and shoulders you will benefit greatly. Many patients have been successfully treated for TMJ syndrome using Intra-Oral Massage Therapy, by using these specific massage techniques to the face, head, neck, jaw and oral cavity.
Causes of TMJ Dysfunction
Whiplash
Bruxism
Anxiety
Stress
Emotional trauma
Trigger points
Postural dysfunction
*Please notify your therapist of any physical and emotion trauma no matter how long ago the incident occurred. Emotional releases are common and normal with this type of work.
