Does it work?

The short answer is yes! Clinical results show clear benefits.

The longer answer is that the rate of improvement can vary. While some clients experience immediate relief after just one session, others may require several sessions over a few weeks, followed by ongoing maintenance treatments until symptoms stabilize.

The variation in recovery is due to two main factors: we physically treat the muscles in each session, and we also help you learn new movement patterns to reduce tension in your jaw. This learning process can have a difference pace in different people.

This means that if we’re doing TMJ treatments, you’ll also be given ideas for daily home care to slowly-but-surely help your body stop grinding, clenching, or holding tension in your jaw.

Will it involve working inside the mouth?

Intraoral work (treatment inside the mouth) is an option. During this technique, the therapist wears gloves to access the deeper parts of the jaw muscle in the cheek and the smaller muscles farther back in the jaw. Most intraoral techniques involve placing a finger between your teeth and your cheek (not between your teeth or over your tongue). While this technique can have a reputation for being painful, pain isn’t the goal; similar to my whole approach to massage, the goal is to use firm, steady pressure that still allows you to breathe and relax.

If you prefer not to include intraoral work, that’s perfectly fine! We can still provide effective jaw treatment by focusing on the neck, head, and external areas of the jaw muscles.

For some clients with severe symptoms, intraoral work may not be worthwhile. If opening your mouth comfortably is painful, it might be too sensitive to access areas inside your mouth. That’s okay; we can revisit this option in future treatments once your symptoms have subsided a bit.

Does TMJ treatment hurt?

TMJ treatment can have a reputation for being painful, and yes, when jaw muscles are tight, the sensation can be strong. However, this is not a "no pain, no gain" situation; more pain does not equate to greater effectiveness. We will always work within a comfort level that allows you to take a deep breath, relax, and try to avoid needing to flinch or tense up. Even with jaw and TMJ treatments, your nervous system must feel as if your body is safe to maximize the benefits.

Is massage the only treatment I need?

For some clients, yes—TMJ massage treatments may be sufficient to manage symptoms and see improvement. For others, I can refer you to physiotherapists or dental specialists to explore additional options.