So, it’s not a toothache?

No amount of drilling can fix your pain? Got a headache and were told it’s your TMJ?
Maybe your dentist mentioned it, maybe he didn’t. But who fixes it?

The TMJ joint may not be your problem. Yes, you have the pain, it just might not be coming from where you think (or where you were told).

In recent years a rebranding (if you will) of TMJ has permeated medical terminology. “TMD” has knocked the previously and popularly known moniker “TMJ” off the radar. Scientific research journals have been relabeling TMJ pain as TMD (temporomandibular disorder) for several years now. Relabeling seems a natural transition considering the variety of contributing factors to the pain in/and around the temporomandibular joint.

You see, the muscles that work your jaw, along with other muscles may be the culprit. Treatments are varied, but Massage is cited as being the front runner for both pain relief and restoration of normal movement.

Here’s a snippet of a recent article that gathers information from a plethora of research papers to illustrate the change in thinking... 

“...there is widely varying evidence that MT (manual therapy) improves pain, MMO (maximum mouth opening) and PPT (pressure pain threshold) in subjects with TMD signs and symptoms...” Citation J Oral Rehabil. 2015 Nov;42(11):847-61.

In layman's terms, it says that multiple studies show that massage therapy decreases TMJ/D pain, increases how wide you can open your mouth, and increases the amount of pressure you can take on your face. Go figure. Did we really need a medical journal to tell us that? No but Im glad it does ‘cause that means my insurance is more likely to pay for it. Let’s rewind that.... I can get a massage. On my face. My insurance WILL. PAY. FOR. IT.

I am NOT a dentists. Go to your dentist first. It’s the smart thing to do. If you are experiencing pain in or around your mouth, including your TMJ-joint that’s the first place to run. Besides, if there are contributing factors - take care of that now. Might as well get the work done now so you can party after. (A day at the dentist = a massage treatment or two? Count me in!)

What if you are just achey after a dental visit with no “TMD”? NO sweat. Even discomfort after dental work may put you in the mood for a massage. (read *experiencing diagnosable tension and pain covered by your ins. policy*)  If you have pain in the TMJ area, ask for a referral to RxMedical Massage for facial bliss, mandible mirth, and joyful jowls. Can you say happy face? Really, it will make your FACE happy.

Get relief from your painful conditions. 
Know where to go for the best care. 
We can help you at RxMedical Massage
Call us at (907) 272-7966. 

Come in for a Free Consultation if you have more questions. 

We accept, and bill most major insurance. We would be happy to check your benefits.

One final thought - If you know someone that suffers from TMJ pain, be a friend, share your newfound knowledge so their face can be happy too.