Frequently asked questions about masticatory muscle massage
How do I know I have tension in my masticatory muscles?
Typical symptoms include:
- Temporomandibular joint pain
- Jaw joint sounds
- Jaw fatigue and stiffness
- Limited mouth opening
- Stiffness of the skull and facial area
- Toothache and even tooth damage
In addition, there may be other symptoms, which you can read about a little further down!
How to prepare for a TMD massage?
You don’t need to prepare any more than you would for a regular massage. However, if you have information from your dentist, for example, that you should take into account when performing a masseter massage, it is worth bringing it with you.
Masseter massage also massages the facial area, so you may be asked to remove any piercings or similar, but this is case-specific.
What does TMD massage help with?
TMD massage can relieve problems caused by tension in the masticatory muscles and bite problems, such as jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, jaw fatigue, and stiffness. Some patients also experience dizziness and pain in the eye area.
Massage of masticatory muscles
Temporomandibular joint or jaw muscles massage helps with problems of the masticatory muscles, which can cause a variety of symptoms. Temporomandibular joint problems are sometimes also called TMD (temporomandibular disorders). The most typical symptoms can include pain in the jaw joint area, tension in the masticatory muscles, and headaches. Temporomandibular joint massage can also help with tension in the neck and shoulders.
This treatment is a gentle yet effective and suitable for many people – especially those who suffer from stress, facial and jaw pain, or recurring headaches. The treatment targets the muscles of the jaw, face, temples, neck, and sometimes the inside of the mouth, which can become tense without realizing it due to the stresses of everyday life.
Temporomandibular disorders
What might be causing temporomandibular disorders?
The emergence and maintenance of symptoms can be attributed to several physiological, psychological, and behavioral factors. Contributing factors may include altered bite due to dental procedures such as tooth extraction, psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, or catastrophizing. Additionally, trauma to the face, neck, and cervical spine can underlie the symptoms. Furthermore, several other background factors have been identified, including genetic factors.
A large proportion of individuals with jaw muscle problems also experience bruxism. Bruxism is involuntary grinding of the teeth and can occur both during wakefulness and sleep. Bruxism is commonly known as “teeth grinding” in colloquial terms. The assessment and treatment of the causes of jaw muscle problems require the assistance of a knowledgeable professional. A healthcare professional experienced in this area can be an effective aid in managing symptoms and pain! The prognosis for treating TMD issues is generally good, and conservative treatment of the jaw muscles is effective in most situations. Jaw muscle treatment, patient education, prescribing exercises, and providing home care instructions often yield favorable outcomes!
Typical symptoms may include, for example:
- Headaches Neck and shoulder pain
- Temporomandibular joint pain
- Sounds in the temporomandibular joint
- Fatigue and stiffness in the jaws
- Limited mouth opening
- Stiffness in the base of the skull and facial area
- Tinnitus
- May trigger migraine attacks
- Pain radiating behind the eyes
- Toothache and even dental damage
What happens during a TMD massage?
Jaw muscle massage aims to alleviate tension in the muscles involved in biting and to relieve associated pain and other aforementioned symptoms. During the massage, areas commonly addressed include the face, mouth, neck, and shoulders. Please note that the massage also addresses the chewing muscles from the inside of the mouth. The massage therapist always wears disposable gloves and a face mask during the session. The treatment may also include massage of muscles involved in breathing, such as the intercostal muscles and abdominal area.
After the treatment, the massage therapist may provide you with instructions on how to continue treatment at home and maintain the well-being of your jaw muscles. Jaw muscle massage is often most effective when done as a series of sessions. Typically, two to five treatment sessions yield the best results for most individuals, and our professionals always work with patients to develop a treatment plan together.
You can read more about masticatory system problems on the Käypä treatment pages here.
Masseter massage Helsinki – you can book an appointment at our locations in Punavuori, Kamppi and Töölö!
Masseter muscle treatment at Ideal Health is performed by our professionals Teemu, Iida and Mikko. Services are available at the Punavuori, Kamppi and Töölö offices. If you have any questions about masseter muscle treatment, you can always contact us by email here!
