What Does TMJ Disorder Feel Like?

Many people living in San Diego are suffering from TMJ Disorder (TMJD) and everyone has a slightly different experience. Once TMJ has started it rarely goes away on its own, so it’s best to seek help at the earliest signs to prevent it from getting worse.

Is It Really TMJ Disorder?

In over 20 years of practicing structural massage — 15 years in San Diego — most people suffering from symptoms of TMJ Disorder do have some form of TMJD. However, occasionally a client comes in for a TMJ massage treatment and what they are actually suffering from is a severe misalignment of the neck or shoulders. Regardless of the source, once the jaw becomes locked into a tension pattern, structural massage, stretches, and exercises are needed to restore the normal pattern. At our office in Pacific Beach we are always happy to help clients live free of the pain of TMJ and get back to enjoying the sunny San Diego days!

Why Do We Get TMJ Disorder?

• Side Sleeping

  Putting constant compression on one side of the jaw while leaving the other side stretched and strained throughout the night.

• Misaligned Shoulders or Hips

  Leaving the body twisted left or right forces the head to compensate by slightly twisting in the opposite direction. The jaw muscles’ connection to the upper spine means the jaw now has constant pressure causing it to twist slightly. If you work in one of San Diego’s computer-intensive industries and your screen is slightly off-center, this can create a subtle but problematic twist.

• Jarring Injuries

  Where the body is forcefully struck, muscles can lock in a shortened position. If this isn’t corrected it becomes a long-term pattern. In San Diego this is often from surfing, volleyball, or any other outdoor sport.

How Does Structural Massage Help Recover from TMJ Disorder?

If TMJ Disorder is preventing you from living the amazing life San Diego has to offer, structural massage can help. By assessing the muscular imbalances in the jaw, neck, shoulders, and hips, A New Body Massage can determine what is out of alignment in your body and help restore balance — allowing your jaw to sit and move in its natural pattern.

Proper stretching, exercising, and daily habits will help you avoid the imbalanced muscles which are often the cause of TMJD. If you’re feeling regular jaw, neck, or shoulder tightness, feel free to call for a massage session and we’ll get you back in balance.

Stretches for TMJ Disorder

Client TMJ Reviews

“First of all, Neille is a TMJ Specialist and Expert. I would highly recommend his skills for any area of your body, but I have never been able to find anyone after searching high and low, who has such a knack and breadth of expertise for addressing TMJ issues, headaches, or general pain in the jaw, neck, and shoulders.”

“Neille did an amazing job with my TMJ syndrome. After months of jaw pain, and barely being able to open my mouth, I had tried everything from seeing an ENT, TMJ specialist, acupuncturist, and chiropractor. I was wearing a TMJ splint and nothing seemed to help until I got a one-hour TMJ massage by Neille — not only did my range of motion improve significantly but I haven’t had any jaw pain since. There are very few people who truly understand anatomy the way he does. I highly highly recommend him.”

“My daughter was having severe TMJ pain. She was willing to do surgery if necessary. I found A New Body Massage and read on Yelp how good Neille is. NO KIDDING. He gave her a 90-minute focused massage. Can’t say that she is 100% but nearly so. Such a relief!! Thanks Neille!!!”