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.
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.
Knee injuryis one of the most common sports related reasons that bring patients to the doctors office.
knee injury
Be proactive if you feel any pain, notice popping sounds, see any swelling or can’t walk properly. It is important that you don’t put off getting the proper treatment for knee injury if you want to avoid long-term negative repercussions. If you are fortunate, with your physician’s recommendation, you can apply basic first aid, and take some Ibuprofen and everything will heal nicely. However, you don’t have to stop there. Structural Integration with its fascial massage can be very helpful in alleviating any stress around the knee, the quads, and the hamstrings. This can be done for minor ailments, or once your doctor recommends if surgery if needed. The body is miraculous at healing itself. However, the new tissue that is laid is not going to give you the same mobility you once had in many cases unless the fascia is spread, balanced and lengthens, allowing for more natural alignment.
If you are interested in playing sports and performing to your optimal level, Structural Integration can be very helpful in supporting you to relate movement to your activities with higher performance.
Working with the fascia can be done starting with the superficial layers to help ease the pain around the joint. As the work is deepened, it unlocks habitual patterns, and also those that resulted from the injuries. Often clients feel the positive effects from doing a series of session more than with other types of basic massage. That is because the adhesions and rotations, once they are released, stay that way, allowing for more freedom and flexibility.
If you have had a knee injury and are looking for a therapy that can make a difference, call Sharon Hartnett LMT at 740 966-5153 in Columbus, Ohio.
Structural Integration by Ida Rolf, is not the most mild type of bodywork.
It’s not meant to be…
Evolution
The ten sessions are intended to help clients to find better alignment in relationship to gravity. Not only in standing or quiet poses, but also in movement. The idea is to help people find more fluidity, flexibility and range of motion through effective touch and thorough manipulation.
One thing that is important to address, is that this type of work often gets labeled as being uncomfortable. With Ida Rolf’s work- in most cases, as pain is sometimes encountered and touched, clients will feel things that have been avoided. It’s natural for people to compensate when they have injuries or emotional patterns holding them out of alignment. As such, as things open, deeper sensations do occur. However, if a professional and respectful dialogue is kept, the session can weather the storm with proper care and efficient contact. With healthy touch, the work can go slowly at the client’s rate and comfort level. During and after the sessions, clients will often be surprised at how they can feel grounded into their bodies and the earth both energetically and physically in a whole new way.
One of the biggest considerations when deciding if Structural Integration is right for you, is to ask yourself if you are looking for a pleasurable massage session or a more long-term and holistic approach. Some clients enjoy light touch effleurage massage. It can feel warm, invigorating and healing. On the opposite side of the spectrum though, the Ida Rolf Structural Integration type of work focuses on the ability to work deeper without working harder. A good Structural Integration Therapist will apply pressure to touch into the different levels of the fascial web to help you unwind and lengthen dysfunctional patterns. The fascia softens and hydrates allowing time to awaken and integrate.
Without question, at Lighten Up Therapies, our goal is to help you to achieve your goals for your health and wellbeing.
If you would like a free 15 minute telephone consultation with Sharon Hartnett LMT, please give her a call at: (740) 966-5153
