Say Goodbye to Jaw Pain: How Osteopathy Can Help with TMJ Disorder

Do you experience jaw pain, headaches, or difficulty chewing? These symptoms may be caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a condition that affects the joints connecting your jaw to your skull. Women are more prone to this condition due to hormonal changes, and it can significantly affect their daily life. The good news is that we've got some self relief techniques for you to try at home to help you with your TMJ pain.

If you are suffering from TMJ pain, Inner Wellness can help. Our team of osteopaths has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorder, taking a holistic approach to care. We take time to understand your unique needs, and our treatments are tailored to address your specific concerns.

Book Now

It's a "jaw-dropping" pain that we'd love to help you with.

Jaw pain can also contribute to neck pain and earaches, which can be misdiagnosed as separate issues. Our osteopaths conduct a thorough assessment of your jaw, posture, spinal alignment, and lifestyle to identify the root cause of your TMJ pain.

Some techniques to try at home are demonstrated in the video below, with instructions after that

Masseter release: locate the Masseter muscle. It runs from under the cheek bone to the angle of the jaw. Use some coconut oil and apply an appropriate amount of tension from the cheek bone to the angle of the jaw. Meet the tissue tension, as in don’t go too hard but definitely meet the muscle tension with the appropriate pressure for release. Don’t forget the other side! Perform 6 times each side
Fascia release: using the knuckles of your index finger and middle fingers to run along the jaw line. Index finger below jaw line, middle finger above jaw line. Run knuckles from chin to angle of the jaw at the ear. This is a goody! Do both sides, 6-10 times each.
Temporalis release: from the ear apply pressure towards the top of the head, towards the crown of the head & towards the back of the head in a fan shaped direction. Open your jaw as you run the fingers in those directions to have a deeper effect. Go gently, apply the pressure that feels good. This is not a no pain no gain situation. It should feel good. 6-10 times
M.E.T For the jaw: with your index finger find the front of your jaw joint in front of your ear. As you open your mouth you should feel the condyles of the mandible roll towards your fingers. To begin - you will limit the opening of your jaw using the index finger. It may feel different on each side. Open your jaw slowly 3 times. Then find the back of your jaw by opening your jaw and placing your finger behind the jaw bone. Now you will slowly close your jaw 3 times resisting its closure with your index finger. This can be sensitive, so be gentle.
Foam roller upper cervical release technique: find the very edge of the foam roller. You are going to hang the base of your skull over that very edge by lying on your back on the foam roller. The edge of the foam roller is going to lie directly under your skull, the very base of your skull. Lay there, jaw relaxed for two minutes.
Enjoy! Let us know which one is your favourite. (We love number 2!)

Stop the grind - Osteopathy can help you keep your teeth and your sanity!

One of the most common causes of TMJ disorder is bruxism or teeth grinding, which can occur due to stress or dental issues. Osteopathy can help alleviate the pain caused by bruxism by releasing tension in the jaw muscles and promoting jaw mobility.

We are here to help.

Once a diagnosis is made, our osteopaths will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Gentle manual techniques will be used to release tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles, improving jaw mobility and stability. Our osteopaths may also recommend exercises and lifestyle modifications to help maintain your jaw health.

One of the biggest advantages of osteopathy for TMJ pain is that it is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to treatment. Many people who suffer from TMJ pain have tried medication or even surgery without success, but osteopathy offers a natural and gentle alternative.

We’ll use a variety of techniques to address the underlying issues that contribute to TMJ pain. This may include soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, and myofascial release. By releasing tension and improving blood flow, these techniques can help reduce inflammation and pain in the jaw joint.

Listen to Your Jaw, It's Trying to Tell You Something: Why Ignoring TMJ Pain is a Bad Idea

TMJ pain is not just uncomfortable; it can also have serious consequences for your overall health. When the TMJ is not functioning properly, it can cause a range of problems, including headaches, neck pain, and even earaches. Ignoring TMJ pain can also lead to more serious issues over time, such as arthritis or degeneration of the joint.

We Care

At Inner Wellness, we understand that TMJ pain can be challenging to live with, and we provide compassionate, patient-centred care to address your needs and concerns. We strive to help women achieve optimal health and well-being, and we look forward to working with you on your journey to recovery. Click the button below to book an appointment today. Otherwise, subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about our tips to improve your health. Don't miss out, join our community today!