Treating TMJ - Subocciptal Release Technique

Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius are often Associated with TMJ 

TMJ Disorders are often associated with trigger points and typically respond well to treratment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJD) works like a sliding hinge device, connecting the jawbone to the skull.

TMJD disorders typically cause pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control the movement of the jaw.

Causes

There are many reasons for TMJD disorders and it's often hard to determine the cause.

The pain can be due to a number of problems, such as a jaw injury, jaw misalignment, or even arthritis.

Some clients who suffer jaw pain also tend to be "teeth clencher's" or grind their teeth, but this isn't always the case.

There are many people who habitually clench their teeth and never develop TMJD disorders.

It's now widely accepted that in most cases, the symptoms associated with TMJD disorders can be treated with manual therapy, self-managed care and other nonsurgical treatments.

It's only the very severe TMJD disorders that may require surgical intervention.

Trigger Points and TMJD

There are often widely differing opinions when it comes to treating trigger points for all types of injury, but TMJD disorders fit into that category where (almost) the exact same treatment sequence seems to work consistently.

Irrespective of the cause, trigger points are almost always associated with TMJD, and it is likely that these are somehow linked to a holding pattern, at the heart of the body's protect and defend mechanism. 

Common Treatment Sequence:

Step 1: Study the anatomy and direction of the muscle fibers.

Step 2: Sitting ICT to:

Upper Trapezius

Posterior Cervical Muscles

Splenius Cervicis

Step 3: Massage the area generously

Step 4: Supine ICT to:

Masseter

Temporalis - especially at the muscle-tendon junction(STP)

Lateral and Medial Pterygoids

 Digastricus

Links

Find a Trigger Point Professional in your area

More About Ischemic Compression Technique

How to Treat Temporalis Trigger Points

More Articles About TMJ/TMJD

Dry Needling for Trigger Points

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