Treatment for TMJ in Vancouver: Massage, Chiro, or Acupuncture?
How RMT, Acupuncture, and Chiropractic Can Help with TMJ Dysfunction
Relieve Jaw Pain Naturally at Our Vancouver Clinic
If you've ever experienced jaw pain, clicking sounds while chewing, or headaches radiating from the side of your face, you might be dealing with Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ or TMD).
At our Vancouver clinic, we offer Registered Massage Therapy (RMT), acupuncture, and chiropractic, all of which are effective, non-invasive treatments for TMJ symptoms.
What Is TMJ Dysfunction?
Your temporomandibular joint is what connects your jawbone to your skull. It’s a hard working joint and is responsible for letting you speak, chew, breathe, and yawn. When this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed, it can cause:
Jaw stiffness or locking
Clicking or popping sounds
Facial pain
Headaches or migraines
Neck and shoulder tension
Tinnitus
TMJ dysfunction can result from stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, or trauma.
How Can Our Vancouver RMT Help with TMJ?
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are trained to treat muscular imbalances, including those affecting the jaw. Here’s how RMT can support TMJ relief:
Targeted Myofascial Release: Helps relax the jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles that may be contributing to your pain.
Increase Circulation: Promoting blood flow to the jaw and neck muscles helps with the healing process
Postural Correction: Addressing poor posture (like forward head carriage) can ease pressure on the jaw over time.
How Acupuncture Treats TMJ
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used for centuries to treat pain and tension. For TMJ, it can:
Reduce inflammation in the joint and surrounding tissues
Relax overactive jaw muscles
Improve circulation and energy flow (Qi) to promote healing
Alleviate stress, which often contributes to jaw clenching. Acupuncture can help regulate the vagus nerve, which is responsible for calming the body.
Many patients find acupuncture sessions deeply calming, and some even report immediate relief after treatment.
How Chiropractic Care Helps with TMJ Dysfunction
Chiropractic treatment offers a gentle, non-invasive way to relieve TMJ-related pain and dysfunction by focusing on the alignment of the jaw, neck, and spine. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can affect how the jaw moves and may contribute to muscle tension, joint pain, and nerve irritation.
At our Vancouver clinic, our chiropractor use targeted techniques like:
Jaw mobilization to improve joint movement
Intra-oral massage techniques to target small muscles around the jaw
Postural correction to relieve strain on the jaw caused by forward head posture
Jaw specific exercises to help with regaining balance in the jaw muscles
This approach not only addresses the symptoms but also targets the underlying causes of TMJ pain—without relying on medication or invasive procedures.
