TMJ Massage

Discover

What is TMJ?

TMJ means temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. It allows you to open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and move your jaw in multiple directions. This joint functions through a combination of sliding and rotating motions and includes a small disc that cushions the bones during movement. TMJ is obviously very important in everyday jaw function, making TMJ disorder noticeable and frustrating.
tmj massage near me
Discover

Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

massage for tmj
  • Pain or stiffness in the jaw, especially when eating or talking.
  • A dull ache near the temples, ears, or sides of the face.
  • Trouble chewing or discomfort when biting.
  • Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when moving the jaw.
  • A jaw that locks open or shut during yawning or speaking.
  • Uneven bite or feeling that the teeth don’t align properly.
  • Headaches around the temples or behind the eyes.
  • Pain spreading to the neck or shoulders.
  • Sensitivity or pain in or around the ears without infection.
Discover

Benefits of TMJ Massage

TMJ massage offers real relief for people dealing with jaw pain and related symptoms. One of the biggest benefits is pain reduction – massaging the muscles around the jaw, neck and upper back helps improve blood flow and ease muscle tension. This increased circulation can also bring down swelling that might limit jaw movement. Regular massage therapy may also help soften scar tissue that builds up around the joint, reducing stiffness and improving function. By gently loosening tight areas, massage for TMJ can make it easier to perform daily activities like chewing, speaking, and moving your jaw without discomfort.

tmj massage therapy
Discover

Massage Techniques for Treating TMJ

When it comes to treating TMJ discomfort, massage therapy can be a viable tool. Different techniques focus on relaxing the jaw muscles, improving blood circulation, and reducing pressure on the joint. Some are gentle and external, while some techniques may focus on muscles inside the mouth. Each technique serves a specific purpose depending on your symptoms. Below are some of the most common TMJ massage techniques used to help manage TMJ pain.

1

Myofascial release

Myofascial release is a gentle TMJ massage therapy technique that focuses on tight connective tissue, called fascia, around the jaw and neck. For TMJ, it helps ease tension, reduce inflammation, and make movement easier by applying steady pressure to restricted areas. It’s especially helpful for addressing trigger points in the jaw and upper body, and may also calm the nervous system to also treat stress. It’s a popular option for those looking to manage TMJ naturally.
2

Trigger point therapy

Trigger point therapy targets tight knots in the jaw muscles, especially the masseter, because it often becomes sore from grinding or clenching. These muscle knots can cause jaw pain, tension, and even headaches. By applying focused pressure to these areas, the therapist helps release the tension and restore better balance in the TMJ region. This can make jaw movement easier and reduces discomfort. It’s best done by a provider trained in TMJ anatomy, like a TMJ chiropractor or TMJ massage therapist.

3

Deep tissue massage

Deep tissue TMJ massage therapy helps with TMJ pain by breaking up tight knots, trigger points, and scar tissue in the muscles around the jaw, head, and neck. By applying firm pressure to deeper layers of muscle, this technique helps release built-up tension and makes jaw movement easier. It’s especially useful for people who grind their teeth or clench their jaw, as it targets overworked muscles and helps reduce pain. With consistent treatment, deep tissue massage can noticeably ease TMJ symptoms.
Still have questions about whether a TMJ Massage is right for you?

Schedule a consultation here to find out!

Discover

TMJ Massage Therapy at Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL

At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, we provide expert TMJ massage therapy as part of our integrative approach to treating jaw tension, discomfort, and stress. Our licensed therapists work with each patient to gently release tight muscles in the jaw, neck, and shoulders – helping improve jaw function and reduce pain caused by clenching or grinding. We also offer acupuncture for TMJ, which can further calm inflammation and help you heal faster. Our team creates personalized treatment plans to treat both new and long-term symptoms.

tmj relief massage
acupuncture

Book your TMJ relief massage at Copper Wellness today and start feeling better naturally.

About results

Reviews About TMJ Massage

Jenna Watson
21:03 18 Jul 24
I. Love. This. Place! I see both Dr. Mimosa for chiropractic and Dr. Madden for acupuncture, and they are two of the best practitioners of *any* type of medicine I've EVER worked with. They listen. They care. They genuinely want to help you feel your best. I can't recommend them and Copper Wellness enough.
Megumi Anne
15:35 18 Jul 24
Best Chiropractors in the city yall!! Dr.Mimosa is sweet and easy to talk to. Dr. Adam is very easy to talk to as well. Highly recommend!!!
Jose Burgos
14:44 20 May 24
Can't say enough good things about Anais. Very professional, very knowledgably, and just an amazing caring person! You are in the best of hands with her, would highly recommend!
Julia Helms
15:26 18 Mar 24
I have been seeing Dr. Madden for acupuncture for almost a year now and I don't know where I'd be without her. She's incredible at what she does and the entire staff is awesome.
Juan Ayala
17:29 13 Dec 23
Anais is simply the best! Had a great review, consultation of problem areas and left feeling like I was on a cloud! Can't wait to go back, highly recommend the electrode therapy, it was amazing.
marcy swerdlow
01:46 26 Jul 23
Dr Madden is a miracle worker. For over a year I had issues with my feet. She was the 1st to say my calf’s were right! Her acupuncture was spot on and helped right away. The stress caused issues in my neck as well that she helped not only with acupuncture but cupping as well. Her care and compassion is amazing. I will continue on maintenance because she is so amazing. ‼️
Taylor Easterling
12:18 11 Jul 23
Copper Wellness has been a pivotal part of my health journey! The integrative services that are offered are tailored to my needs/situation. Specifically, when I needed to start doing massage therapy for upper and lower back pain, Cameron Sand did a great job from the start making me feel comfortable. Whenever I have a question, they answer it readily and explain how and what they are doing during our session. I’ve seen a huge improvement since working with them and couldn’t recommend them enough!
Jonathan Boyden
14:55 21 Jun 23
I sincerely wish that I could give Dr. Stephanie Madden 1 million stars. From the time that I met her for consultation through my entire acupuncture journey with her, she was incredibly attentive, genuine, personable, professional, precise, safe, knowledgeable, skilled, and wise with her work. I saw Dr. Madden for about 1 a little over a year to help resolve physical issues from emotional traumas and sufferings in my life. I cannot stress how different my life is from when I first saw her. She helped me get to core issues in my physical health that other doctors never came close to articulating, let alone being aware. Working those physical issues directly helped me so much with my emotional health. My quality of life now is so much better because of her contributions to my healing journey. After working with Dr. Madden, she is a practitioner that I trust and deeply respect. If anyone ever asks me to recommend an acupuncturist, I would never hesitate to recommend anyone to her. I even recommended her to one of my friends on his journey to receive a heart transplant, and she made a positive impact on his quality of life. He had nothing but positive things to say about her (and now he is thriving with a new heart!). Dr. Stephanie Madden has made a wonderful impact on my life, and I can only imagine the impact she is making on the lives of others whom encounter her. She is someone that has answered her call in life, and is absolutely brilliant at it. Brilliant!
Look to

Our Insurance Partners

We accept most major insurance plans depending on your type of service.

Got a question?

FAQs About
TMJ Massage

Does Massage Help TMJ?

Yes, massage helps relieve TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder symptoms. It reduces muscle tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, improves circulation, and decreases pain and inflammation. Targeted massage can also improve jaw mobility and reduce headaches or jaw clicking caused by TMJ dysfunction.

What Is TMJ Massage Therapy?

TMJ massage therapy is a specialized technique that focuses on relieving tension in the jaw muscles and surrounding areas affected by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. It involves gentle manipulation of the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders to reduce pain, improve mobility, and decrease inflammation. TMJ massage can be performed externally or inside the mouth (intraoral).

What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?

TMJ dysfunction is caused by issues affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Common causes include jaw clenching, teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, arthritis, jaw injury, or stress. These factors can lead to inflammation, misalignment, or overuse of the temporomandibular joint, resulting in pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the jaw.

Can You Cure TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder cannot always be cured completely, but its symptoms can often be effectively managed or significantly reduced. Treatments like massage therapy, chiropractic care, stress reduction, dental splints, and physical therapy can relieve pain and improve jaw function. Early intervention and consistent care can lead to long-term relief.

How Often Should I Schedule TMJ Massage Therapy Sessions?

TMJ massage therapy is typically recommended 1 to 2 times per week at the beginning, especially if symptoms are severe or chronic. Consistent sessions help reduce muscle tension, improve jaw function, and prevent flare-ups. As symptoms improve, the frequency can be reduced to once every few weeks for maintenance and long-term relief.

What to Expect from a TMJ Massage?

During a TMJ massage, you can expect gentle, targeted work on the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders to relieve tension and improve jaw mobility. The therapist may use external techniques and, in some cases, intraoral massage (inside the mouth) to release tight muscles around the temporomandibular joint. Most clients feel relief from jaw pain, headaches, and tension after just one session.
Contact us

Contact Information

Learn more about our clinic and doctors and why they are trusted by so many families in our community.

Phone Number:
Opening Hours:
Mon: 11AM - 8PM
Tue - Thu: 9AM - 8PM
Fri: 9AM - 6PM
Sat: 9AM - 4PM
Contact us

Find us