Does anyone know how to resolve TMJ and Clenching Problems?
I would really like to tell you that there is an easy fix for the pain in your jaw, but that isn’t always true. While some cases go away by themselves over time, others continue to get worst.
TMJ
TMJ is a disorder that can cause stress and pain to the temporomandibular joint and surrounding soft tissue.
With more that 15% of adults living with fascial pain, earaches and ringing, jaw pain and headaches, it may behoove the person suffering from this condition to try various methods to get the help they need. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms while opening, closing or moving your mouth, or while sleeping or awakening in the morning, you may be in need of some support to restore and rebalance the positioning of the head, neck and mouth in relationship to healthy postural alignment throughout the body:
difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
jaw pain while yawning or chewing.
pain or ringing in the ear area.
hearing and/or feeling popping or clicking sounds.
headaches.
tenderness around the teeth and gum areas.
teeth grinding
jaws get stuck or locked.
any swelling in the face
These are all common symptoms of what is know as TMD (Temporal Mandibular Disorders).
With a background focused mostly in Structural Integration and Craniosacral Therapy, I have found 5 things that seem to help clients improve and resolve this condition.:
Myofascial Structural Therapy to improve how the head rests over the body.
Craniosacral Therapy to improve movement within the sutures and to create balance in the cranium.
Stretching and Movement Exercises. Not only are neck exercises crucial for improving neck posture, but also the pelvis needs to be freed up and symmetry between the legs established in order to help self-correct TMD. Some great options would be yoga, Feldenkrais, Continuum, gyro tonics and free dancing.
See a dentist for a bite appliance. However, from a bodyworker perspective, I suggest one for the lower teeth rather than the top which is usually recommended. Wearing any type of appliance on the top that restricts movement of the maxilla only inhibits healthy movement of the cerebrospinal fluid.
Meditation to reduce stress. The Central Nervous System Stress can play a big factor in mouth disorders by creating tension in the musculature. Letting go of stressful beliefs through inquiry (www.the work.com) or something like breathing exercises or a walk through nature can be very helpful.
Explore options with your pillow. If you sleep on your back, you don’t need one. However, if you sleep mostly on your side, there are some nice posturepedic options available.
SomatoEmotional Release helps clients to feel deeply into their bodies and let go of unhealthy energy patterns of stress.
Three things to avoid: Chewing gum and holding your cellphone in your neck. Stop slouching and find length in your spine while reading or sitting at a computer.
If you are in the local Columbus Ohio area, or would like a free 15 minute phone consultation, please feel contact me.
Deep Tissue Massage Reaches those places you didn’t even know hurt….
Deep Tissue Massage can release deep tension areas in the body certainly. And many clients who come in for a massage request it. Resolving those deep core issues can unleash the healing potential in your body on many levels.
As a Massage Therapist for over 18 years, I have learned that there are more than a few ways to access the deeper imbalances in the body. And it’s not always the way you think. Initially digging in is not always the best way to address pain in the long-run, in fact; in may be counter-productive. Personally, I have had some big muscles athletes come in and say that they want a lot of elbow work. Sure- I can do that and it does have an appropriate time and place. But if the tissues aren’t ready to receive that type of touch, the body can go into defense and fight the work. With the way that most of us work hard each day and and deal with stress in our personal lives, we deserve to have a session that complements our health goals. The best way to unwind those long-held tension patterns is to:
Start superficially to release the myofascial dysfunction there, and then layer deeper down.
Being Mindful will bring more awareness to your own body and how you hold stress and can release it.
Breathe and notice how your breath stops and/or flows. Where does it go and where does it stop?
Plan on a few sessions so that your therapist can meet you were you are for uniquely tailored sessions.
Dialogue with your therapist as to what is helping you to release. you will know what is working.
Let your therapist know if you are on any pain medicines so he/she doesn’t overwork your muscles.
Be curious if your Massage Therapist is present with you rather than doing a routine. You’ll be surprised that if you are mindful, you can feel the difference.
Have clarity about your boundaries. Some work may be uncomfortable, but let your therapist know if it is helping or making things worst. If you want more pressure, ask for it.
Ask for different types of massage work. There is a huge variety of modalities such as Structural Integration, Craniosacral Therapy, Thai Massage, Aromatherapy, Swedish and more. It will help you know which suits you best. Some can be light touch, but feel rather profound. Others may be physically deep but feel like there is no real contact. A good therapist will find a way to touch you the way your body needs to release tension, and yet make it comfortable enough that it feels good.
Educate yourself. Therapists vary in their approach and the tools they use. Interview them about their experience.
Deep tissue massage helps to relax muscles, increase oxygen and blood flow to your muscles. It helps the body to remove toxins and metabolic waste from sore and overused muscles allowing quicker recovery. Deep Tissue Massage feels incredible with it is done appropriately. There is nothing that feels better than when pain dissipates and pleasure take over. When our bodies feel healthy and in balance, life takes on a whole new look. Joy and a positive attitude take over in the absence of pain.
If you want to focus on realigning your posture with slower and deeper massage work, you are in for a treat. Feeling good and feeling alive!
The most frequently asked question I receive from clients is…
“How often should I come see you for massage therapy treatments?”
To be honest, one of the reasons I became a massage therapist was because many years ago, my best friend Karen practiced on me while she was in massage school for two hours once or twice a week and I got hooked. She had the most warm and embracing hands that melted everything in my body and soul. I unwound and felt so happy and peaceful afterwards. It was like living on cloud 9 with my body feeling very grounded at the same time. She had the touch of an angel, and I felt so embodied and centered after our sessions.
It wasn’t until a couple years later, when I moved from Colorado to Ohio, that I actually took the plunge myself and dove into the Massage school curriculum at a Massage School in Akron, Ohio. Even then, I was quite surprised to find myself there as it was the last thing I expected as a career choice for myself years before. But the touch, and the healing was wonderful, and I knew that I was right where I needed to be more than any doubts that showed up. So- if I am asked how often should a client receive massage, I’d most often recommend as often as possible as long as it feels therapeutic and it is in your budget. Massage Therapy feels great and helps you to let go of stress and tension which is not healthy for you. When you find the right massage therapist for you and form a deep relationship of holding and healing, your essence and light breaks through so you can be your best. That’s how I view it for myself, and the clients that I see.
With that said, once the above is determined, I like to remind clients and potential massage clients that if you are living in chronic pain or feel an acute pain condition that has just come about, that it takes time for the body to heal. The physical world does not mend as quickly as we are able to skip over to a new thought. Biological healing is a process that unfolds with care and connection. And in most cases, pain situations are an accumulation of many factors including: postural imbalances, habitual patterns of movement, stress, emotional issues, sports injuries, birth traumas, challenges taking in a healthy diet, toxins in our environment, along with other dysfunctional interactions we have in life. So with all that goes into creating a painful situation, it is necessary to balance out with receiving quality care, and allowing the body to repair and self-correct after treatments. Don’t put your stock into a one time fix, although many times these types of miracles can occur to resolve pain relief. In most cases, more work is needed to help the body restore itself to its natural healthy state for the long-run. If you want the honest answer to the question “how many massage sessions do I need to come in for”, the answer is that it depends on your commitment to feeling well and doing whatever it takes to accomplish that. And- healing is a unique and different experience for each person and each relationship.
Massage Columbus
In my practice, I have some clients that come a few times a year for a tune-up or for when they are feeling out of whack, and I have clients who come once or twice a week until things turn around. When clients are specifically interested in the Structural Integration for better alignment and pain relief, I follow a ten session recipe as prescribed by Dr. Ida Rolf for optimal postural re-education results. If the client is experiencing a bulging disk or nerve pain, sometimes it’s best to get a chiropractic adjustment, and wait a day or two for your massage and bodywork. Once the bones are stable, the fascia and other soft tissue needs to be released to help the client to stand straighter in better form. Massage is focused on soft-tissue. Craniosacral Therapy is a fantastic modality of work that directly works with the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spine. It is a tremendous therapy for helping clients with structural issues also, although with a light touch. Wonderful benefits has been experienced with conditions like anxiety, stress, ADHD, fibromyalgia, neck and back pain and headaches and more. Clients who can’t fall asleep at night often fall asleep on the table because they are so relaxed. It may take a few sessions, but slowly the nervous system balances and learned to heal in many cases.
Personally, as I have been working in this field almost 17 years, I have more recently kept most of the focus in my practice on myofascial therapy including Craniosacral Therapy, and Structural Integration (as taught by Dr. Ida Rolf). I also include mindful exploration of the mind, body and spirit connection for those who are interested. I have a background in Brennan Healing Science (graduate at former faculty as the Barbara Brennan School of Healing), Reiki, and I like to include my trauma background and Hakomi practice as well into my work. I find that when people come into the massage office, that they are best served by being held in the sacred space of healing and health. However that stress is showing up, my office is a confidential place where everything can be as it is without new conflict or distraction. Because I personally enjoy working with Somato-Emotional Release and with people hoping to find pain relief from previous trauma, I usually like to see clients once a week on an ongoing basis until they feel good. My preference is to work with people who are commitment to feeling well. They get the best results because they see deeper that a session or two for a quick fix. And my hope is that I am doing the best job to help them so that at some point they can stop, or take long breaks until they could use either some proactive massage therapy or they are feeling uncomfortable again.
It’s important to mention that each massage therapist has his/her own unique style. Each client is organized in his/her own way. While a massage therapist can hold space, we are not licensed as psychotherapists. But many of us have had training in dialogue, wellness, coaching, and spiritual healing. If you are committed to unfolding into your presence and health, consider a long-term relationship with your massage therapist and any other type of therapist you would want on your healing team. There are so many possible stresses in the world, we all can use a helping hand at some time. And we all deserve to be happy and feel our best!
Sometimes, I think we forget to treat ourselves well and we give all the excuses in the world to not give ourselves the quiet and nourishment we need.
It could be the aftermath effect of an accident, poor postural strain, a pinched nerve or the result of an illness. Whatever the reason for your pain and discomfort, what matters most is finding the best method that will work to help alleviate your symptoms.
There are some basic things that you can do at home:
Taking a warm epsom bath full of Magnesium Sulfate can help wonders.
Put two tennis balls in a sock and place them on the back of the neck while lying on the ground. Relax.
Place your hand on the back of your neck and press where it hurts. Stretch slowly and gently away in the areas that feels good. Overstreching could make it feel worst so listen to your body.
Ask your sports trainer to give you some strength building exercises. Very important for long-term recovery.
Breath and gently turn head in easy directions that are unusual. Various planes of motion benefit.
Use a Stillpoint Inducer from Upledger for a minute or so, thereafter increasing time each day to help diminish pain.
Buy a neck traction machine and use as needed.
Eat healthy foods and exercise. Stay away from processed food and perhaps check in with a functional physician or nutritionist to make sure you are using food as medicine. Changing your diet can help fight against arthritis.
Neck Pain Relief
Things that you can do outside of this are:
Find a good Physical Therapist who does manual work as well as giving you exercises.
Swedish Massage helps with Circulation and Lymphatic Flow.
Find a Structural Integration Therapist who works with posture and movement to help you getting better aligned.
Craniosacral Therapy helps to relieve dysfunction along the spine and cranium, often helping to relieve pain symptoms.
Chiorpractors vary in their methods as much as Massage Therapists. Ask questions and state what you want. Some can apply abrupt moves and others can manipulate much more gently.
Myofascial Massage works with the muscles and the fascia primarily. By lengthening the layers releasing trigger points and knots, clients often feel much better.
Sometime emotional issues needs to be expressed. Speak with a healer or counselor about what is going on in your life and work towards resolution.
Listening to your body and taking a holistic approach to health is your best option. If you are suffering from neck pain, take this opportunity to turn it around. There is no reason why you should neglect your self-care!
Everyone feels stressed out at least occasionally. Through all of life’s cycles, growth opportunities pop up presenting us with challenges that push against our boundaries. This can make us feel uncomfortable or stressed out. Fortunately, many of us have had positive influences that have taught us how to navigate through rather difficult times efficiently. But when we don’t know how to cope well any longer, then what? Is it possible to take these stresses and turn them around to make ourselves better?
We have to remember that if we change our perspectives about our difficulties, the rest of the energy supporting the stress will shift too.
Craniosacral Therapy relieves stress.
Remember that:
Overload is just about how we perceive a certain situation.
The way our bodies habitually respond to stress can be re-organized into a healthier response.
We are in charge of how we interact with the world in which we live.
Anything that you believe poses a threat to your way of being can cause stress. So how does your mind, body and spirit let go of any ideas of danger?
Being mindful of your own experience is a good place to begin. By bringing attention to both your internal and external environment, you will begin to see what ignites stress. Some of the physiological signs might be: slower digestion, heart rate rises, muscles contract, breathing quickens, and it may be difficult to sleep. While you are experiencing the thought and the energy behind the stress, be curious and observant. This is a good way to practice meditation.
Receiving massage and bodywork has been shown to reduce stress, including modalities such as Craniosacral Therapy, Trigger Point, Structural Integration and the light moving touch of Swedish as well. Feeling deeply into the body re-educates how we think and helps us re-route into a more relaxed and calm state of being.
Body centered psychotherapies can be very helpful as well. For example, Hakomi is based on peaceful methods of bringing awareness to your experience and trying on different perspectives. This can give you new ways to view life down to the cellular level. This therapy is different than typical talk therapy as the main focus is bringing attention to the body to open the doorway to your consciousness.
Physical Exercise pumps up your endorphins. Stress melts away. A good workout helps you to feel healthier and feel more alive.
Deep breathing can help slower the heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. A commitment to yoga practice will certainly give you opportunities to experience stress relief.
Aromatherapy with oils from Young Living Oils or Doterra can help you to relax in a nice bath or with a foot massage before you go to sleep. The intention of using the oils for health and good self-care can be very helpful if you are feeling anxious or imbalanced.
Finding a good chiropractor who works with stability as well as flexibility can do wonders in helping you feel better aligned. When the spine is healthy, life looks a lot more positive!
Byron Katie has come up with 4 questions that will help you change your life. Her worksheets are free online and you can view her on Youtube. Check out www.thework.com.
Gentle movement exercises like Felderkrais or Continuum will awaken your deeper sense of centeredness.
Eckhart Tolle is known for bringing out focus “Into the Now”. His teachings can help one to let go of suffering and stress by recognizing our tendencies to live in the past and future rather than being Present.
Remember that If stress is interfering with your life’s purpose and health, it’s time to do something different that will help you resource your internal skills to help you move through life with more ease. There are practices you can do alone, in a class, or with the help of a professional. The more serious the issue with anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD it is best to find the right professional with good experience and references.
Let your stress pass right through by taking good care of you.
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI
(740) 966-5153
Facilitating with Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Structural Integration, Reiki, The Work, Brennan Healing and more. See www.massageincolumbusohio.com for more information.
SER begins with an atmosphere of trust, respect, and gentle touch.
Often when I work with clients for a period of time, long-held negative beliefs and residual trauma energy can start to come to surface. This may be a small gentle reminder of an uncomfortable feeling, a tear running down a cheek or a deep anxiety or stress that has energetically been frozen within the cells. We call this an “energy cyst from a Craniosacral Therapy perspective. The energy from the historic trauma isolates itself as a compensation but it not entirely let go.
The Upledger Craniosacral approach to working with Somato-Emotional Release involves a very natural type of presence and touch into the Cranosacral system that supports the process of releasing old trauma’s such as: car accidents, PTSD, warfare, violence, divorce or any type of experience that feels overwhelming. If the cycle of feelings does not complete itself, it remains until given the opportunity to heal. By dialoguing with the Craniosacral System, the true intelligence within will lead the way to self-correct into health and wellbeing. Craniosacral Therapy is a professional therapeutic modality that balances, restore and brings greater awareness to clients.
Craniosacral Columbus
The old painful messages melt away and give way to the Present moment.
By taking the road of self-discovery with CST, new awareness will help you to make better choices in your life with more clarity and heart. Bringing the physical, feelings, beliefs and heart into coherence opens the door to health and wellbeing.
Sharon Hartnett CST, LMT, SI & Brennan Healing Science Practitioner
