Temporomandibular Disorder
(TMJ or TMD) – relief through CranioSacral Therapy
One of the most commonly
seen disorders in people who seek CranioSacral Therapy is Temporomandibular
Joint Disorder (TMD). TMD is what people suffer from when they have had problems
with their jaw and the facial muscles that are related to jaw movement. The
temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects the jaw to the temporal bones
of your cranium. These bones are located in front of each ear. These bones
allow your jaw to move up and down and also side to side.
If someone has problems such
as pain or limited movement with such things as talking, chewing, or yawning,
it is likely they have a temporomandibular disorder. Most common symptoms
include discomfort in your face, jaw, neck, shoulders, or trouble when trying
to talk or when opening your mouth to do things like chewing food. You may hear
a pop or a click when opening your mouth. This is a common symptom and is
sometimes painful. Also when chewing, your teeth may feel like they are not
aligning properly and your bite is uneven.
Some common causes of TMD
include injuries to your jaw, the jaw joint, or muscles in your head and neck
such as a forceful hit or whiplash from an event like a car accident. The pain
can be extreme at times and last for a short while or even as long as several
years.
Through a full body
assessment during CranioSacral Therapy, I would find what areas of the body are
restricted and may be leading to misalignment of your jaw. Most commonly the
temporal bones are unstable and not moving properly. After relieving any restrictions throughout
your body such as sacral problems (which can be directly related to jaw issues,
or issues in your neck and chest area (thoracic inlet)), I would then go to
your cranium and evaluate the cranial bones. If there is a torsion in the
sacral area, it can affect your whole body until it is resolved and in correct
alignment. Starting at your frontal bone (forehead), I would work my way
through the parietal, sphenoid and nasal bones.
I would place more focus on your temporal bones since they are the most
common culprits. But without releasing the constraints in the other bones
first, the temporal bones do not have as much of a chance to release all of
their restrictions. They would not be able to move as freely as they would be
able to after the other cranial bones are first moving without limitations.
CranioSacral can give relief
to people suffering with TMD relatively soon – depending on how long and how
severe it has been an issue. Most people should notice small amounts of relief
after only a couple sessions. CranioSacral is a gentle non-invasive technique
that uses very light touch to promote changes. By gently relieving the tension
in muscles located inside the mouth with gentle techniques, we are “opening the
avenue of expression” which can sometimes bring up emotions for people. If
people have been having pain associated with their mouths, they haven’t been
able to say everything that needs to be said at certain times. Some of their
emotions have likely been held in. When
releases occur in the mouth, people may feel more emotional while their bodies
realign and get back into balance. This is a normal occurrence and should not
be feared. People should allow whatever emotions come up to easily and gently
release.
I would like to end this
article with a quote from Dr John Upledger –
“The bottom line could be
anything from childhood anxiety that perpetuates into adulthood and causes them
to clamp their teeth together hard. Or they could have a little bite off, or
they could have a bad low back that ultimately transfers back up into their
head and throws their temporomandibular joint balance off.”
I believe that quote says a
lot about what all of the possibilities of what could possibly be going on
causing jaw pain and dysfunction.
Stephanie A Stanton
LMT, BSNH
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