TMJ can be cured using neuromuscular massage and neuromuscular education in Lakewood and Denver, CO
What is TMJ?
Temporomandibular jaw dysfunction is very common. Underlying most cases of TMJ are behavioral problems associated with stress, anger and a very determined attitude. The jaw is held very tightly closed (clenched). Technically, TMJ is diagnosed when there is a mal-alignment of the teeth and jaw. The bite is off. The jaw opens and closes with deviations from normal tracking. It can be very hard and painful to open the mouth fully. What physicians overlook, is that the unconscious habit of clenching the jaw is the originating cause of the mechanical problems for millions of people. Splints protect the surfaces of the teeth by preventing grinding of the teeth. Splints do not change the neuromuscular habit of clenching the jaw.
Common symptoms of TMJ include:
- Headache
- Grinding of teeth
- Jaw pain
- Clicking or popping of jaw upon chewing
- Neck, shoulder and upper back pain
- Snoring or sleep apnea
- Ringing in the ears
- Pain and sensitivity in the teeth
- Associated tingling in the arms
Observe the following factors when evaluating for the cause of TMJ:
- Stress-induced jaw clenching (the most common cause)
- Mal-position of head and jaw joints from birth trauma
- Mal-position of head and jaw joints from injuries
- Mal-position of the Occipital/Atlas joint at top of spine
- Broken, loose, worn, chipped or cracked teeth
- Muscle tension and spasm
The jaw is a first responder to stress
Over 80 published studies show that a clenched jaw has a very high correlation to high stress levels. Other high stress factors include elevated resting heart rate, elevated blood pressure and elevated muscle tonicity. Leaning to drive your car, work your job, eat your food, live your life with a relaxed jaw can eliminate TMJ. The jaw can be used as an indicator to approximate your stress index. When the jaw is relaxed, stress is down.
Best options for treatment
- Neuromuscular massage focused on head, jaw, neck and shoulders
- Chiropractic focused on the O/A joint and jaw
- Neuromuscular dentistry
- Physical therapy combined with manual therapy
The above options work best when combined with neuromuscular education to teach the patient how to use self-awareness skills to keep the jaw relaxed.
Goals of Neuromuscular massage:
- Relax and balance the four muscles of mastication (chewing): (temporalis, masseter, digastric, pterygoids)
- Relax and balance the sub-occipital muscles
- Relax and balance the cervical muscles especially the sternocleidomastoid, the scalenes, the upper trap and the splenius
- Stretch and balance the muscles that attach to the clavicle, sternum, upper ribs and coracoid process especially pec major, pec minor, anterior deltoids and the biceps
- Help patient experience relaxation so patient can remember what relaxation feels like
Goals of Neuromuscular education:
- Teach awareness exercise for monitoring jaw tension
- Teach exercises to allow the jaw to open to maximum
- Teach self-massage to relax temporalis and masseter muscles
- Teach strengthening and stretching exercises to achieve perfect jaw alignment
Medical Massage Can Help:
Dr. Joan Sloss, our medical massage therapist is ready to help you with this chronic painful condition. With 26 years of experience, Dr. Sloss is ready to help you heal from this painful problem. Call today 303.986.0492 to start your healing journey. She is kind, compassionate and provides a healing environment.