How TMJ Jaw Therapy sessions have helped these 2 clients with their jaw pain and related symptoms - real life case studies

Read about 2 clients experience with this therapy and how it has impacted their overall wellbeing.

So, as we now know TMJ can feel completely different from one person to the next. And the results can be just as varied.

A couple of clients have kindly shared their experience of it and how the TMJ Jaw Therapy sessions are helping them recover their feel-good factor. 

Both clients have been anonymised (to protect their fabulous identities).

Client Story 1

Facial and jaw tightness following Bell’s Palsy

Lucia, 43 years old, has a history of Bell’s Palsy which is a condition which causes weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.

Lucia suffered Bell’s Palsy around 10 years ago which had left her with facial paralysis on the right side only for about 8 months. It had appeared without warning and left her in a panicked and depressed state. 

Stress creating tightness in the face and jaw

Thankfully, Lucia made a significant recovery, however, there was some residual ‘tightness’ on the right side from the edge of her mouth to her TMJ. This flared up when she was feeling stressed, overwhelmed or run down - Lucia felt like there was a thread in her cheek that pulled the corner of her mouth towards her ear and that her face/forehead, neck and shoulder on that right side were all impacted when this occurred.

During sessions with Lucia, we found that there was significant tension in both TMJs and so we worked on both sides to help ease it out. 

Working with the body to open ‘doors’ of tension

Those ‘doors’ we mentioned in part 2 - those were very apparent in Lucia and we found that working on the masseter and pterygoid muscles, alongside the temporalis tendon really encouraged them to open and loosen meaning great relief for Lucia. 

Emotional release from jaw therapy

After 3 consecutive weekly sessions Lucia found that not only had her jaw and face relaxed but that she’d ‘let go’ of some deep emotions that surfaced whilst we worked together.

In Lucia’s own words:

“So, all the muscle area is totally relaxed, which is great! I feel a lot less tension in my jaw! It’s actually released tension and it's super interesting because internally it released some anxiety. I’ve released some emotional tension.”

A gorgeous result!

Client Story 3

Lifelong jaw problems due to a problem with the disc

Ana, 30 years old, came to the sessions as she’d been suffering with TMJ problems for as long as she can remember. Over the years, she’s seen a stream of specialists and physiotherapists and has had some success in managing the symptoms - without ever being rid of them.

Ana’s symptoms also worsen when she’s under stress so being a business owner, and a human for that matter, living through the past 2 years has been - let’s just say - a ride!

Ana’s disc is anteriorly displaced - meaning that it travels too far forward when in motion meaning a big click with pain, especially if doing a big yawn.

During sessions, we found that Ana’s neck and cheek muscles carry A LOT of tension and these areas are the most sharply tender for her, even more so than those closer to the TMJ itself. The intensity of their tenderness can change, too, depending on if she’s slept well or not, or is generally feeling calm or not.

Improved tracking and less clicking

After Ana’s 3rd session, when I checked the tracking of her jaw again - guess what? No more clicking. Fantastic! But, let’s be clear that this doesn’t mean the problem has vanished. It does mean, though, that her experience of it is evolving. 

More energy for the important things

Ana’s jaw feels much more open and there’s less pain meaning that she’s able to run her business and care for her newborn son with some extra space and energy that the TMJ issues previously occupied.

In Ana’s own words:

“Massaging the jaw inside and outside the mouth really helped relieve tension and create a sense of openness. Also the jawline and neck exercises / massage really I noticed a big difference in the before and after! Not just specifically in the actual joint itself 😃 It was so interesting to feel how it’s all connected and holds tension in other areas I didn’t know it did! And it helped to ease and relax those parts too.

It’s great even as a regular treatment in my life, to help ease up tension and work the muscles. I enjoy doing it biweekly and eventually monthly, spacing it out a bit more or adding in sessions when I feel I have more tension.”

Ana has now worked TMJ Jaw Therapy sessions into her wellness regimen to help maintain a sense of balance and peace of mind.