“TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) disorders — a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement”. Read more about it here.
Reflexology is the pressure of reflex points on the body used to help with pain management. This does not replace medical / dental treatment, please see a professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, reflexology is a great modality to use as a complimentary treatment for pain relief.
Feet and hand reflexology approach: There are a couple of things to try for TMJ. First by approaching it through the hands and the feet, see the video below. Both parts of the hands and feet work the same, do what is easier for you. I would advise engaging with the full spectrum of the toes/fingers front and back with emphasis on pressing around the base where a ring would be positioned. Take a look at the video below for direction and also read the video comments from people who have used the techniques and reported relief.
Note that I have not yet worked with anyone dealing with TMJ pain specifically however I have used reflexology for rotary cuff tendonitis – it resolved my pain after half a year when nothing else worked, so this is worth trying. For me it took consistent application and didn’t solve over night, it may take days, or weeks. Here’s an additional hand map I made (based on the Reflexology Association of Canada) that guide to other points, mirrored on the feet in the same places.
Face massage and reflexology approach: Another approach is to massage the face itself. There are a couple of different ways to do this: I use tools on my face – one tool that could bring some soothing is called a Dien Chan beauty brush which is made of metal smoothed spikes (like a metal hair brush). A smooth basalt stone is another soothing tool especially with some coconut oil applied to the stone first. I use the stone/brush and sweep upwards on the face and circle around and under the jaw, temples and neck area. Of course your hands/fingers work just as well they just feel different; I use all 3.
Similarly, here’s a video of using myofascial release to watch and try on yourself:
Facial reflexology works with pressure points similar to acupressure and acupuncture. You can try by gently pressing in on the points and massaging in a circular motion. This area (on the jaw hinge next to the where the ear meets the head) can be pressed down for 30 seconds or longer, several times in a row – according to your comfort level. This can be done as needed. There are several areas along the side of the head/ear that can be pressed (see image above). Also give the sides and back of the neck some massage as well.
Finally, I found the following link with some exercises you can try for releasing tension and pain in your mouth: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/stubborn-tmj-pain-try-trigger-point-massage-and-jaw-exercises/
Read the part about reflexology for pain control for TMJ : https://www.hornchurchreflexologist.com/temporomandibular-joint-disorder-tmj-and-reflexology/
I can’t make any promises however you’re welcome to try some of these routines out and remember, it might take time of consistent application. This is what I found when I had rotary cuff tendonitis and I was told I would need surgery to repair it – after trying other modalities that didn’t work for me. I managed to get the pain control down using reflexology (of ear, hand and foot) and then was able to rehabilitate on my own. Now I have full recovery of my arm.
I have assembled this reflexology kit which consists of a handmade reflex ring for rolling up and down the fingers and good for pressing the base of the fingers, a basalt beach stone hand picked by me from the beaches of Vancouver Island – that can be used on face, hands, feet and an ethically wood sourced reflexology stick for adding extra pressure to hands and feet.
Disclaimer: Reflexology does not diagnose, prescribe or treat for specific conditions. Always seek proper medical attention should you suspect you have a medical problem. Reflexology is not a replacement for medical treatment.
