Mary King Therapy

Remedial Soft Tissue Therapy in Bicknoller, West Somerset

Temporalmandibular Joint Dysfunction

Temporalmandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)

This condition can create pure misery for many people. So what is it and why is it so important that clients seek treatment if diagnosed with this disorder? Simply because it can affect your health and wellbeing.

So a little information -

The Temporal Mandibular Joints sits either side of our head just below the ear. It is a complex slide and hinge joint, supported with 4 main muscles of mastication, soft tissues and some complex nerves. It is the prime mover of the jaw which allows us to eat, chew, yawn and speak. The first sign for many people that there may be a problem is when they have pain. Often described as dull aching from around the face and jaw, throat and neck and it doesn’t go away.

Some symptoms may include:

Clicking, popping or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth (with or without pain)
Difficulty biting or chewing especially using one side of the mouth more than the other
Teeth grinding, particularly at night
Dull aching pain in the face
Extreme dental work
Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
Neck and shoulder pain
Headaches or migraines (particularly in the morning)
Accidents or surgeries
Earache, Tinnitus, dizziness (without infection present)

Dentists see patients with TMJ all too often, but so many people do not realise that there is another way to help, which does not include gadgets, or surgery to correct this problem. Like anywhere else in the body, this is very often a soft tissue problem but it can be a very debilitating condition.

Therapists trained in this specific condition, use gentle techniques to release chronically tight tissues and joints, allowing everything to relax and be able to become realigned.

What To Expect

On your first appointment we will undertake a full consultation assessing the jaw, head and neck as well as your posture, spine, pelvis etc. The TMJ Joints are a major influencer in your body’s alignment so there is no sense in treating one without assessing the other. Soft Tissue Techniques are used with gentle pressure, just as we treat with fascia work. There may be a need to work inside your mouth (intra-orally). This is to access and treat deep tendons as necessary, but with your permission.

Generally the work will be centred around the face and neck, however access will be needed to the shoulders and upper back. It is perfectly possible that other areas of the body are connected with a misaligned TMJ. This will all be assessed and addressed as needed.

If you feel that you may have an issue with your TMJ (or any of the symptoms described) or you would just like to find out a little bit more information, please contact me. Regarding Covid - all appropriate hygiene measures and PPE are adhered to.

Get in touch

Contact me if you would like to have a chat about any of the treatments I offer, or to ask about booking a session. Alternatively, you can call me on 07989 430213.

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