TMJ & Jaw Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief in Toronto
TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles, causing pain, discomfort, and difficulty speaking, chewing or eating. The good news is that treatment may help. Discover TMJ massage in Toronto—book an appointment with one of our Registered Massage Therapists today.
What is TMJ dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction affects the joints and muscles that help your jaw move. You have two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of your face, connecting the jawbone to the skull just in front of your ears. Dysfunction in these joints can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness in the muscles that allow for jaw movement.
What’s the difference between TMJ and TMD?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint itself. TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder, and is the medical term for the condition that affects the TMJ and surrounding areas. However, in everyday conversation these two terms are often used interchangeably, along with TMJ dysfunction or TMJD.
Do I have TMJ?
Manual Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to assessing and treating musculoskeletal pain, movement restrictions, and postural imbalances. Conditions osteopathy can treat include:
What causes TMJ symptoms?
TMJD is a complex condition, so the exact cause can be hard to determine. There can be multiple causes, including situations where there isn’t an obvious cause. Research from the TMJ Association has shown that there are a few known causes of TMJ dysfunction:
*Other contributing factors to TMJ dysfunction symptoms can include jaw clenching, habitual teeth grinding, muscle tension, stress, poor posture, and neck tightness. TMJ pain is often temporary, and manual therapy and homecare may be effective in treating symptoms.
How could registered
massage therapy help TMJ?
What should I expect duringmy first TMJ treatment at Osteo Tuina?
Thorough consultation
Your RMT will begin your session with a detailed consultation about your physical condition, main concerns, and health history.
Personalized assessment
Next, they will perform a physical assessment to identify imbalances and mobility issues.
Hands-on treatment
Your RMT will use this information to tailor your therapy to target your jaw concerns. An initial session can be 60 or 90 minutes. Like a physiotherapy or chiropractic appointment, you’ll remain fully clothed during treatment.
Experience TMJ massage in Toronto
Ready to start your healing journey? Schedule a registered massage therapy appointment to receive targeted jaw pain treatment from our experienced RMTs.
Not Sure Which Service Is Right for You?
Call our team at (416) 939-8888 and they’ll be happy to answer any questions. We have two clinics located strategically throughout the city. You can find us in Downtown Toronto at Dundas & Spadina, and in North York at Yonge & Sheppard.
*TMJ massage refers to RMT massage therapy focused on TMJ-related pain, tension, and symptoms. It is provided as part of our standard registered massage therapy appointment rather than as a separate service.
F.A.Q.
Jaw massage from a Registered Massage Therapist is covered by many extended health insurance plans in Ontario, but we always recommend you take a look at your plan to confirm. If you’re unsure about your coverage, feel free to call us or your insurance provider. We offer direct billing for select insurance providers—just bring your insurance card to your treatment.
The number of TMJ treatments will depend on your symptoms and how your body responds. Your RMT will provide a customized treatment plan during your first session, and will let you know how many sessions they would recommend as treatment continues.
Yes, getting a massage for teeth grinding can be a beneficial part of your treatment plan. Stress and hypertoned muscles can fuel night teeth grinding (also known as bruxism). Massage has been clinically proven to support stress reduction and alleviate anxiety. It may help reduce muscle tension in the masseter muscles of the jaw and relieve associated morning soreness.
Jaw clicking and popping can stem from joint or muscle imbalances. Releasing tension in overworked jaw muscles helps the joint glide more smoothly, and may help reduce clicking and improve jaw mobility.
You may be experiencing TMJ headaches or neck pain due to referral patterns. The muscles controlling your jaw are connected to the suboccipital (base of the skull), neck, and upper back muscles. Tension or overwork in any of these muscles may cause pain to refer to the others.