TMJ Pain Relief: How Massage Therapy Can Help
If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain, clicking or popping when you chew, headaches that seem to radiate from your temples, or tension that runs from your jaw down through your neck and shoulders — you may be dealing with TMJ dysfunction. It’s more common than most people realize, and more treatable than many expect.
At Handled With Care Massage Therapy in Golden, CO, TMJ treatment is one of our clinical specialties. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is TMJ Dysfunction?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint — the hinge joint that connects your jaw to your skull. You have one on each side of your face, and they’re among the most frequently used joints in your body, involved in chewing, speaking, yawning, and swallowing.
TMJ dysfunction (sometimes called TMD) occurs when this joint and the surrounding muscles become irritated, inflamed, or imbalanced. Common symptoms include:
- Jaw pain or soreness, especially in the morning
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Headaches, particularly around the temples
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ears
- Neck and shoulder tension that seems connected to jaw discomfort
TMJ dysfunction can stem from teeth grinding (bruxism), stress, injury, postural issues, or structural imbalances in the jaw itself.
How Does Massage Therapy Help TMJ?
The muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint — including the masseter, temporalis, pterygoids, and surrounding cervical muscles — respond well to targeted manual therapy. Massage can help by:
- Releasing muscle tension in the jaw, face, and neck that contributes to pain and restricted movement
- Reducing trigger points — localized areas of muscle tightness that refer pain to other areas of the head and face
- Improving range of motion in the jaw joint
- Decreasing headache frequency associated with jaw muscle tension
- Supporting nervous system regulation — stress is a major driver of TMJ symptoms, and therapeutic massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system
TMJ massage is precise, focused work. It’s not a standard relaxation massage — it requires specific training and a thorough understanding of the anatomy involved.
Who Treats TMJ at Handled With Care?
Matt Schaub, LMT is our TMJ specialist. With decades of experience in therapeutic massage and focused training in TMJ treatment, Matt works with clients who are dealing with chronic jaw pain, bruxism, post-dental procedure tension, and related headache patterns.
Every TMJ session begins with a brief intake conversation to understand your specific symptoms, history, and goals. Treatment is always tailored to what’s happening with you — not a generic protocol.
Many clients notice meaningful improvement within their first few sessions. For chronic TMJ dysfunction, a series of treatments combined with home care recommendations tends to produce the best long-term results.
What to Expect at Your First TMJ Session
Your first session will include time to discuss your symptoms and history before any hands-on work begins. TMJ massage involves work on the muscles of the face, jaw, neck, and sometimes inside the mouth (with gloves) to access the pterygoid muscles — which play a significant role in jaw dysfunction but are difficult to reach any other way.
If intraoral work is part of your treatment plan, Matt will explain it fully before proceeding. Nothing happens without your understanding and consent.
Sessions are typically 60 minutes and can be combined with broader neck and shoulder work depending on your needs.
Ready to Find Relief?
If you’ve been living with jaw pain, chronic headaches, or TMJ dysfunction and haven’t found lasting relief, therapeutic massage may be the missing piece. We work with clients throughout the Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, and Denver West areas.