How a TMJ massage can help you smile again

If you suffer from TMJ disorder, you’ll know it’s a lot more than ‘just jaw ache’. It makes everyday tasks seem impossible, like talking for a long time during meetings, brushing your teeth and eating your favourite crunchy foods. 

If any of this sounds familiar but you’ve never known why, it could be TMJ. But you’re not alone – around 1 in 10 adults in the UK have TMJ issues, and around 25% of adults worldwide. 

Even though it’s more common than we think, it's a condition we rarely talk about. So let’s open up the conversation and discover how massage therapy could be a way to help ease your pain.

TMJ – the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull

Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short, connects your lower jawbone to your skull, making all your jaw movements possible. It’s pretty small, so when it’s working properly you’ll barely notice it’s there. But when it's not? That's when everyday moments become surprisingly complicated.

The exact cause of TMJ is unknown, but things like teeth grinding, stress and jaw injury make TMJ disorder more likely. Luckily, TMJ and massage could be a way of finding relief.

Signs you might be dealing with TMJ:

• A clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth

• Jaw pain or tenderness, especially in the morning

• Difficulty opening your mouth wide

• Facial pain that can spread to your neck and shoulders

• Headaches (particularly around your temples)

• Your jaw feeling 'stuck'

These symptoms can get worse as the day goes on, with pain symptoms especially getting worse when eating or feeling stressed. If you’ve noticed these signs, it’s recommended to see your dentist who’ll take a look at your jaw, teeth and gums to try to suss out the cause. 

Can massage therapy really help?

Yep! After initially seeing a dentist or doctor about your TMJ symptoms, you can add massage or physiotherapy into your schedule to help with the pain. 

This 2023 study analysed whether massage therapy and therapeutic exercises helped a group of 82 TMD patients with myofascial pain and restricted jaw mobility. 

It concluded:

• Massage combined with simple exercises was most effective for relieving jaw pain, with best results taking place after about a week of this treatment

• A clinical treatment called post-isometric muscle relaxation (PIR) can help when combined with exercises, but takes longer than massage to work, it can only be delivered by qualified practitioners like osteopaths and rehabilitation therapists.

• Both treatments improve jaw movement, but massage works better for moving the jaw sideways

• At least six massage therapy sessions are needed for best results

While studies show promising results, remember that everyone's experience with TMJ is unique. After speaking to a dentist or doctor, a massage therapist can help create a treatment plan that's right for your individual symptoms.

The massage techniques to look for

Friction therapy 

This gentle technique uses circular movements along your jaw muscles to ease tension. It's especially good for releasing tight spots and improving blood flow and is a gentle way to work out those knots that build up from clenching or grinding.

Myofascial release 

A slow, sustained pressure technique that helps release tension in your facial tissues. It's particularly effective if you're dealing with chronic jaw tension or find your face feeling 'stuck'. This technique is gentler than deep tissue work, so it’s ideal if you’ve never had a TMJ dysfunction massage before.

Trigger point therapy 

This technique focuses on specific tender points in your jaw and face area, especially helpful if you get tension headaches along with your TMJ pain. Your pro will apply precise pressure to these points to help release deep-seated tension.

TMJ massage also works on other areas 

Your pro won't just focus on your jaw during a TMJ dysfunction massage. They'll also work on:

Your neck muscles and shoulders

Because everything's connected, and your shoulders can hold a lot of tension, your pro might include work on these areas. This helps address the full pattern of tension in your body.

Facial muscles around your temples

Gentle work on the muscles around your temples and cheeks can help reduce overall facial tension and potentially help with headaches.

Heat therapy

Some massage therapists might use warm towels or other heat applications to help your muscles relax before deeper work.

Book regular sessions to get the most from your treatment 

For best results, consider booking regular sessions – with studies showing six treatments works best – especially if you're dealing with chronic TMJ pain. It’s also common to combine massage therapy with stress management techniques for even better results.

Find out more about TMJ and massage: