In The beginning: The TMJ Therapy® Story
May 05, 2022
TMJ Dysfunction had always been a part of my career since the age of 16.
It was shortly after qualifying as a massage therapist that my boss at the surgery mentioned trigger points to me as he had heard they could be indicated in TMJ.
This passing comment set me on a path of discovery which was to shape my whole massage career. I discovered that trigger points in the trapezius, sub-occipitals and SCM are often the main cause of TMJ. These can then set up satellite or secondary trigger points in the masticatory muscles (temporalis, masseter,lateral pterygoid, and medial pterygoid).
For example, trigger points in the SCM can maintain secondary trigger points in the jaw muscles that are the cause of jaw issues and misalignment of the TMJ itself. When you treat the primary trigger points the secondary are often resolved also.
Over the next few months we began looking for volunteers amongst our TMJ patients to try massage for their condition. Everyone we asked was enthusiastic - after all what was the worst that could happen? They might just have a nice massage!
One such person was a young woman called Vicky. A student at veterinary college, Vicky was under huge amounts of stress. When she first came to me she had a trismus. Her jaw was locked closed and at her first visit, she could only open her mouth the width of two fingers. She also suffered from severe headaches.
After her third appointment Vicky was very pleased to report that she could now open her mouth the width of four fingers. I respectfully pointed out that for most people to be able to do that they would need a flip top head! We then continued to treat these muscles for another three weekly appointments after which Vicky reported that her jaw felt loose and comfortable and her headaches were gone.
Vicky continues to have monthly maintenance treatments to help prevent the problem returning. This story was just one in a series of success stories with this condition which set me off on my 'Trigger Point Journey'.
Visit www.blendtherapytraining.com for information on upcoming courses including TMJ Therapy®, Myofascial Release, Oncology Massage, Scar Therapy and Much More
©Blend Therapy Training 2015
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