TMJ
The World Health Organisation states that 1 in 4 people suffer TMJ Syndrome. In 2000 Tracey Kiernan combined her 20 years’ experience of working with TMJ patients, as a dental professional, with her training as a clinical massage therapist to create an effective protocol for getting people out of pain and restriction in less than 6 treatments. In 2005 she created the first TMJ course which has been taught to hundreds of therapists across the UK, Europe, USA and Australia who are all achieving astounding results with this difficult problem.
What is TMJ?
“TMJ” stands for TemporoMandibular Joint, the joint that hinges the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. It is one of the most frequently used joints in the entire body, moving whenever someone eats, drinks or speaks.
It is also used to describe a number of diseases and disorders associated with the joint which can affect far distant parts of the body. Over the years pain and dysfunction of the TMJ has been identified by many names.
In the sixties it became known as “TMJ pain and dysfunction syndrome” (TMPD). The seventies added “myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome” (MPD) to the mix. In the eighties, the dental community introduced the phrase “Temporomandibular Disorders “(TMD).
We will continue to refer to this condition in this article as TMJ as this is the phrase most often used and recognised by the public.
Tracey Kiernan
What are TMJ Diseases/Disorders?
Temporomandibular joint diseases and disorders are a complex and poorly understood set of conditions that can cause pain in the area of the jaw joint and associated muscles and/ or problems using the jaw. Both or just one of the temporomandibular joints may be affected. However the symptoms associated with TMJ Syndrome are very diverse and many people go undiagnosed as the connection is not made with their symptom being a part of this debilitating syndrome.
TMJ diseases and disorders can affect a person’s ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow, and even breathe. It can affect sleep. TMJ disorders and sleep disorders often go hand in hand, and it may also be involved in sleep apnea,
Symptoms:
Pain is the most common symptom. Some people, however, report no pain, but still have problems opening their mouths eating speaking and chewing.
Other symptoms may include:
| Being unable to open the mouth comfortably | Headaches and migraines | Ear pain without the presence of infection | Reddening or tearing of the eyes | Non-specific pelvic pain |
| Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw | Swelling on the side of the face | Decreased hearing | Dizziness and vision problems | Low back pain |
| A bite that feels uncomfortable or ‘off’ | Excessive salivation | Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) | Neck, shoulder and back pain | |
| Jaw locks when attempting to open the mouth | Voice problems |
Irreversible Treatments
According to the National Institute of Dental and Cranio-facial Research, of the National Institutes of Health, irreversible treatments have not been proven to work and may make the problem worse.
Examples of irreversible treatments are:
Manual adjustment of the bite by grinding the teeth.
Mandibular repositioning splints which move the jaw, ligaments and muscles into a new position.
Extensive dental work such as crown and bridge work to balance the bite.
Orthodontics
Surgical procedures
However, pain and dysfunction of the soft tissues surrounding the joint are the most common complaint by TMJ patients.
Bruxism/Stress…the chicken and the egg?
Bruxism and TMJ often go hand in hand. Some dentists will tell their patients that they have TMJ because they grind their teeth, and that they grind their teeth because they are stressed.
However, approximately one-fourth of the population –with or without TMJ– grinds their teeth at night. Not all people with TMJ grind their teeth, and not all habitual tooth-grinders have TMJ. Science has yet to prove whether stress is the cause of bruxism and the resulting pain, or that stress is the result of dealing with the chronic pain condition.
Another theory of bruxism is that patients with a malocclusion (incorrect bite) grind their teeth in an attempt “to find their bite.”
What can we do?
As a trained dental profession turned massage therapist, in 2000 I made the connection between TMJ and the effect of restrictions and imbalance in the soft tissues with this common problem
I then developed a treatment in clinical practice, based on trigger point work, myofascial release and cranial work which has been taught to several hundred people around the UK and as far away as Australia who are all getting great results with this approach.
The important thing to note is that as our understanding of the body, fascia and biotensegrity has increased, we now know that the TMJ has many direct fascial connections to the rest of the body, Imbalance in the soft tissues around the TMJ may be contributing to problems in the pelvis and even the feet through the understanding of Tom Myers Deep Front Line.
The effects of intra oral scars for example can have a far reaching affect, and we have created additional specialist courses in working with head and neck cancer, Maxillofacial Surgery and more.
Our Diploma in TMJ Therapy® takes a full body approach to the assessment and treatment of TMJ. Our course is also a fully accredited qualification open to bodyworkers dental Professionals and anyone with an interest in this field.
For further information please contact Tracey at tracey@blendtherapytraining.com
Or check out our school website here https://blendtherapytraining.com/courses/tmj-therapy/
Join our facebook community here for regular updates on our exciting work in the field of TMJ Therapy® https://www.facebook.com/groups/441514526017049/