Do you have jaw pain?
Let’s chat about that joint that might not always be at the top of our minds but plays a big role in our daily lives: the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short. This little joint might not get much attention, but it’s crucial for simple things like talking, chewing, and even yawning.
Now, imagine this joint as a tiny hinge that lets your jaw move smoothly in all directions. Pretty cool, right? But, like anything delicate, it can get thrown off balance by various factors like stress, injuries, or even something as common as grinding your teeth. When that happens, it can cause a whole bunch of issues, from jaw pain to difficulty chewing.
To understand what’s going on, let’s take a closer look at what makes up the TMJ. Firstly, there’s the mandible, which is your lower jawbone, housing your teeth. Then there’s the temporal bone, kind of like the TMJ’s socket, located at the side of your skull. And let’s not forget about those muscles, that surround and support the TMJ, making sure everything moves as it should.
When things aren’t quite right with your TMJ, it can show up in all sorts of ways, like jaw pain, clicking sounds, teeth pain, or even headaches. It’s like your body’s way of saying, “Hello slow down, something’s up!”.
So, what can you do about it? Well, that’s where osteopathy comes in. It’s all about hands-on techniques and advices to help your body find its balance again. Picture a gentle massage for your jaw, some stretching exercises, and maybe even a bit of postural tips.
And hey, you don’t have to wait for your next appointment to start feeling better. We’ve got some self-massage techniques you can try at home. Some of these include giving yourself a gentle massage at your temples and at your jaw muscles, spend around 30 seconds in each part. Another exercise that you can do comfortably from home is that you apply some gentle pressure on both side of your jaw with both hands (index and middle finger) and the slowly open and close your mouth 4/5 times. It’s all about giving yourself some care whenever you need it.
So, next time you’re feeling a twinge in your jaw or hearing those irritant clicks, remember – your TMJ might just need a little extra care. And with the right approach, you’ll be back to chatting, chewing, and yawning with ease in no time.
Remember to follow us on our Instagram page at southyarraosteopathy for some more insights about TMJ and few self-massage techniques that you can do from home in your free time!
Self-massage techniques:
- Self-massaging the temporalis with the palms for 10/15 seconds
- Drop gently the palms towards the cheeks
- Self-massaging the masseter with fingers or palms 10/15 seconds
- Pterygoid release (gloves required)
- Gently apply pressure with 2 fingers on the TMJ (just in front of your ear) and slowly open and close your mouth
