Massage Techniques
Kneading Massage
Kneading is a TMD massage technique in which pressure is applied to both the superficial and deep tissues of the facial muscles and muscles of mastication. Kneading is used to treat tight muscles, increase flexibility and decrease pain and can also be used to help reduce the emotions of stress and anxiety.
Kneading in the head and neck involves compressing soft tissues via a circular technique, whereby skin and muscles are lifted, rolled and squeezed in a compressive action. The key is to grab the tissue and apply a force to break down and realign the collagen fibers. This relaxes constricted tissue, decreases pain and increases movement.
The technique also reduces muscle tightness by increasing the temperature of soft tissues, increasing blood circulation and breaking down adhesions.
Critically, kneading also helps to increase flexibility of the TMJ and facial muscles. As the massage is applied and resulting pressure to the muscle fibers, stretching and elongation occurs. them.
Increased flexibility influences the ability of the patient to open their mouth and function which can also help prevent injuries from occurring and maximizing chewing efficacy.
Vibratory Massage
Vibrational massage is a technique in which the facial tissues are pressed and released in an up and down movement. This creates a vibrating and shaking force system into the muscles that can be performed in either a soothing or stimulating manner.
Lighter vibration techniques help stimulate the parasympathetic system and help the muscles relax, whilst increasing the speed of vibration can be used to stimulate the circulatory system and loosen soft tissues.
Vibration can loosen the muscles rapidly in preparation for activity and function and can be used for tighter muscles by increasing the temperature of soft tissues (by friction) and increasing blood circulation.
Normal therapeutic applications of vibration have been shown to significantly increase blood flow. In one trial, vibrations, both 30 and 50 Hz, were shown to substantially increase peripheral blood flow, with 50 Hz giving the superior results, having a more rapid and longer lasting effect.
30 Hz vibration slowly increased blood flow, which lasted for about 7 minutes. 50 Hz increased blood flow more rapidly and was still increased 15 minutes later.
Stretching exercises are ideal to lengthen the muscles of mastication to their optimal operational length. This allows full movement and efficient function.
Trigger Point Massage
Trigger points are painful areas in soft tissue that are often associated with myofascial (muscle) pain syndrome, a chronic pain disorder. They are also described as “micro-cramps”, are very common, often alarmingly intense and are a major factor in TMD pain.
The masseter muscle often harbors many of the most uncomfortable trigger points in the human body. The other major muscles directly associated with TMJ trigger points are the temporalis and the sternocleidomastoid.
Massaging in a circular motion around the area and compressing directly on the trigger points can provide significant relief for TMD sufferers. Each patient has a different threshold of pain and discomfort in their trigger points. Some patients only obtain a release after heavy pressure whilst others need the lightest touch imaginable.
There are many physiological benefits of trigger pointing which include increased blood circulation, the removal of waste products and the breakdown of fibrous tissue. Trigger pointing also helps the removal of waste products in the muscles by deliberately causing a blockage of blood by applying pressure onto the soft tissues.
When the pressure is released, oxygenated blood is delivered into the muscles. Fresh blood supplies the necessary oxygen and helps affected tissues to heal. As the blood flow increases, waste products are flushed out which can reduce muscular pain, tightness and fatigue.
Trigger pointing is best performed with Tee-MD Pro+ and Tee-MD Rover.
Audio analgesia
Research in 2020 has supported that listening to relaxing music or favorite music can improve TMD pain. However, the opposite is true for stressful music or no music at all.
In the journal Headache, researchers conducted a study about music and TMD. The study looked at how music helps to modulate awake bruxism in people with chronic painful TMD.
Awake bruxism is a stress behavior characterized by teeth clenching, which is a strong contributor to chronic TMD and can cause pain to worsen.
Researchers recorded the electromyographic (EMG) activity in the right masseter muscle of 14 women with chronic TMD and 15 pain-free women during a guided music listening session, which is a music intervention based on models of mood meditation and attention modulation. Listening to favorite music caused significant muscle relaxation, especially in the TMD group.
Self Massage
Tee-MDi delivers vibratory massage, acupressure and Thermotherapy to all of these critical areas. This stimulates the parasympathetic system which aids in stress reduction, relaxation and sleep inducement. Watch this video and learn just how easy it is with Tee-MDi.
