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T M J Release:
Temporomandibular joint
We understand there are a number of options regarding T M J Release in the Tampa area, Temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint and is frequently referred to as TMJ. There are two TMJs, one on either side, working in unison. The name is derived from the two bones which form the joint: the upper temporal bone which is part of the cranium (skull), and the lower jaw bone called the mandible. The unique feature of the TMJs is the articular disk. The disk is composed of fibrocartilagenous tissue (like the firm but flexible cartilage of the ear) which is positioned between the two bones that form the joint. The TMJs are one of the only synovial joints in the human body with an articular disk, another being the sternoclavicular joint. The disk divides each joint into two. The lower joint compartment formed by the mandible and the articular disk is involved in rotational movement (opening and closing movements). The upper joint compartment formed by the articular disk and the temporal bone is involved in translational movements (sliding the lower jaw forward or side to side). The part of the mandible which mates to the under-surface of the disk is the condoyle and the part of the temporal bone which mates to the upper surface of the disk is the globoid (or mandibular) fossa.
Pain or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint is commonly referred to as "TMJ", when in fact, TMJ is really the name of the joint, and (or dysfunction) is abbreviated TMD. This term is used to refer to a group of problems involving the TMJs and the muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other tissues associated with them. Some practitioners might include the neck, the back and even the whole body in describing problems with the TMJs.
Some of the sypmptoms the client with TMJ dysfunction may present with include pain in the jaw, neck, head and headaches. Often times other symptoms involve the jaw clicking, locking or popping. Upon evaluation the SET therapist will often notice a forward head lean or a shifting of the mandible.
At Structural Therapeutic Massage we work as a team with our clients while remaining focused and professional. When working with the muscles directly associated with the TMJ, the SET therapist will check the cranium first using kinesiology to be sure that optimum balance and mobilization of the cranial motion is present. Then, after treating the anterior and posterior muscles of the neck, the soft tissue over the scalp and face are released. The masseter and its attachments are externally released before addressing the musculature inferior to the mandible, paying special attention to the tissue around the angle of the mandible, to where it attaches in the back of the TMJ. After having released both sides of the mandible, now work can begin intraorally on the masseter including the attachments on both sides. At this point the pterygoids are about the only muscles affecting the TMJ that have not been addressed. Since they are located at the back of the mandible, releasing them tends to be uncomfortable for many clients. However, by releasing everything else first, there will be no resistance from the other musculature of the mandible that would diminish the release of the pterygoid. Consequently, the amount of time and pressure necessary to fully mobilize and balance the TMJ by working on the pterygoids will be minimized. The end result to the client is increased function with decreased pain that may have been associated with the TMJ dysfunction. | |
