Benefits of Jaw Massage

We rely on our jaws a lot throughout the day, from talking, gum chewing, and eating the joints and muscles in our jaws take a beating. Did you know that getting your jaw massaged has many health benefits and is a great alternative to jaw surgery? Also, the “facts” about women using three times as many words in a day as men are an urban legend, so jaw massage is just as beneficial for men as women. Read below how a jaw massage could be the answer you’ve been searching for. 

Relieve headaches

This may be an obvious benefit of jaw massage, but there seems to be a pretty strong connection to jaw clenching and headaches. Many people turn to rubbing their temporalis muscle and neglect the masseter muscle even though it is the strongest of your jaw muscles. To relieve headaches caused by jaw clenching, both muscles need to be massaged effectively above and below the check bone.

Ease toothaches, earaches, and eye twitch

A masseter trigger point can radiate pain directly into a tooth. The next time you have a throbbing toothache, try getting a jaw massage before you head into the dentist for emergency surgery for relief. Treatment of trigger points in overstressed or overused jaw muscles can be the remedy for earache and stuffy ears when the ears otherwise appear to be normal. Eyelid twitching and bags under the eyes can also be traced to trigger points in jaw muscles.

Cease ringing in ears and dizziness

These are serious problems that are not always caused by jaw muscles, but sometimes the link between these issues and the masseter muscle are overlooked. If you have tried every other treatment for ringing in your ears and dizziness, give jaw massage therapy a try, as the jaw muscles may be a cause that hasn’t been considered.

Treat TMJ (Temporomandibular joint syndrome)

This is a serous condition in which the joints and muscles in the jaw slowly and painfully fail to function properly. Massage in conjunction with care from your dentist or massage therapist can relieve tension and pain and help normalize jaw function. Since muscle tension can pull bones out of alignment, the client has a better chance of retaining a jaw adjustment when they receive massage in conjunction with other treatments.

Cure Bruxism (jaw clenching and grinding)

Bruxism is a pathological clenching or grinding of the jaw that usually occurs while you’re asleep and is typically stress induced. You can imagine the types of problems this causes after prolonged hours of tight jaw muscles. Bruxism can lead to cracked molars and painful clicking jaw. Massage therapy for your jaw can help you relax these muscles and break your bad jaw clenching habits.

If you are suffering from any of the above conditions, consider massage therapy to treat your symptoms. If you have the gift of gab or if you are a compulsive gum chewer, we can ease your jaw pain in a safe and relaxing way.

Here at Structura Body Therapies we are concerned with the overall performance of the body and understand the importance of all areas of health and massage therapy. We treat patients with all types of needs from automobile accident related injuries to sports performance work.

Please contact us today for any information needed related to massage or structural integration. 801-897-8711