Advanced TMJ Massage

Course Summary

*Important note: This course will be reported under the “general” category and not “relevant to and focus on massage therapy techniques”.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), which causes recurrent or chronic pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint, is a very common condition.

We don’t know for certain how many people have TMJ disorders. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) estimates that TMJD affects approximately 5-12% of the population. Females are twice as likely to suffer from TMJ pain and dysfunction.

The good news is that massage can alleviate TMJ pain and symptoms for many clients, but many massage therapists are lacking the specific education to do so.

This course contains information on the structure and function of the temporomandibular joint, possible causes for pain in this area, and soft tissue techniques massage therapists can use to address temporomandibular joint pain.

Learning Outcomes

After taking this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the function of the temporomandibular joint
2. Identify bones involved with the temporomandibular joint
3. Identify muscles involved with the temporomandibular joint, along with their functions
4. Identify which muscles to work on for different pain patterns
5. Assess, construct, and complete a TMJ massage protocol according to the client’s pain