Have you ever gotten up in the morning with a slight (or terrible) headache? Achy neck or jaw pain? All of these symptoms could be related to the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. And they don’t have to show up first thing in the morning.
Pain Symptoms TMJ Release Alleviates
With our sedentary habits of working in an office, sitting at a desk and remaining in one position for lengthy times, we can each probably think of a time when we had:
- An achy, sore jaw
- Tinitus (ringing in ears)
- Earaches
- Toothaches (not related to cavity, periodontal disease or injured tooth)
- Neck pain
Even though these symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), they may benefit from TMJ release.
Preventing Recurrence of Pain
According to Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania), there are 8 ways to reduce jaw pain and manage symptoms:
- Maintain the positioning of your jaw without large jaw movements such as yawning, singing, yelling
- Correct your posture
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Reduce stress
- Exercise your jaw (if it doesn’t cause more pain)
- Watch and eliminate bad habits such as nail biting, teeth grinding, resting your jaw in your hand (I am so guilty of that lately)
- Avoid crunching on hard foods, chewing gum or taking big bites
Even though we can certainly implement this list of advisable behaviors, we sometimes need help to get our body back in balance. That’s where your MFR therapist can help!
Benefits of TMJ Release
TMJ Release performed by a licensed myofascial release therapist is a directed touch and hold on the muscle that impacts your jaw. By holding the muscle that impacts jaw movement and allowing it to adapt and release, other connectors also begin to release.
“I never realized that the jaw muscle being released could alleviate the pain in my shoulder!”
Although TMJ release gives significant relief from pain directly associated with the jaw such as ear pain, cheek and jaw pain, headaches, it may also alleviate the pull on muscles in your shoulder, arm, neck and chest. That release begins the healing process.
TMJ Release can be provided as a single service or as part of a full Myofascial Release session. Contact us to learn more, or book a session with either Jeff or Stephanie today.
Additional Reading
To learn more about TMJ and TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), check out these links.
- Penn Medicine TMJ Pain Relief: 8 Best Practices to Help Manage Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofascial Research, TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)
- Cleveland Clinic, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
- Michigan Head & Neck Institute, How Long Will My TMJ Pain Last?