My TMJ protocol incorporates many bodywork modalities, including Deep Tissue Massage, Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, and Intra-Oral Massage (optional). 

The deep tissue massage techniques release painful adhesions (knots) and tension in the muscles of the shoulders and neck. Myoskeletal alignment stretching exercises release tension in the deeper muscle layers that cannot be reached through traditional massage. It is crucial to deal with the neck muscles, as they pull and put pressure on the jaw. Myofascial release and gentle massage are applied to the face and the muscles of mastication (chewing muscles) to release tension in those areas. 

Intra-oral Massage (gentle massage inside your mouth) enables me to access and work on your clenched jaw muscles from an additional angle. Some clients opt out of this modality because of its intensive nature, and this is a totally fine decision! We can still achieve amazing results without it. If you do choose to try it, you will find that it is a gentle, specific, and effective technique.

Craniosacral Therapy provides targeted releases for your clenched temporomandibular joint (the TMJ) and other key cranial (skull) bones involved in TMJ dysfunction. If you suffer from headaches due to your TMJ, I will incorporate more Craniosacral head releases, which can have powerful results!

My manual TMJ Disorder Treatment is not only extremely effective, but also enjoyable! This is in contrast to dental or orthodontic work for TMJ, which often includes stressful, painful, and expensive procedures, and as many people’s jaw clenching comes from stress, this is counter productive! A calm and consistent treatment approach can make a big difference in addressing both the symptoms and the cause of your TMJ.

Therapeutic massage is a great starting place if you are trying out bodywork for the first time! It is probably what you think of when you hear the word “massage”. In a Therapeutic Massage session, we work with your muscles to address the areas of pain, as well as to decrease your overall physical and mental stress. One of the ways in which Therapeutic Massage heals your muscles is through reintroducing blood flow, which brings nourishing oxygen back into tense and constricted muscles, and disposes of wastes that have built up. Therapeutic Massage also stretches your muscles through the angle and pressure of the massage techniques used. Lastly, the compassionate touch and calming strokes of Therapeutic Massage do wonders for letting your entire body and mind release and relax.

Deep tissue massage is similar to therapeutic massage, but gets into the muscles with a great deal of depth as well as specificity. I recommend this option for those who are very physically active and experience tight and sore muscles as a result.

In this session we will get deep into your muscles using intense and targeted pressure. We will break up knots, stretch your muscle fibers, and bring blood flow back into hypertonic muscle. Restoring blood flow is essential, as blood delivers nourishing oxygen to the muscle tissue, while removing wastes created through muscle exertion or prolonged tension. A Deep Tissue massage allows us to dig right into your problem areas so that you can leave your session with increased flexibility, decreased pain, and healthier muscle tissue.

A Soothing Massage session is my version of a relaxing massage. While the other sessions I offer do give a feeling of relaxation, they prioritize working through physical pain and blockages. The Soothing Massage is a space specifically created to support releasing emotional burdens and mental tension. This session is a container consisting of nurturing touch, calm music, rhythmic massage strokes, and supportive energy. It is a safe place for you to work through and release emotions, or to let go of working on anything and lay floating in peaceful bliss. The Soothing Massage combines traditional massage with Craniosacral Therapy, which contains techniques to calm and reset the nervous system, release subtle blockages in the body, and create a feeling being cocooned in warmth and safety. If your mind, nervous system, and soul need support, then this is the right session for you.

I recommend this healing modality if you are struggling with fatigue, full-body muscle and joint pain due to chronic illness, headaches, concussions, TMJ disorder, or a dysregulated nervous system.

While Craniosacral Therapy uses a lighter touch than traditional massage, it is in no way less powerful. This is because Craniosacral Therapy works with the important systems of your body, including your fascial system, central nervous system, and skeletal system. Fascia is a net of connective tissue that wraps around your muscles and bones, and Craniosacral Therapy releases tension or twists in the fascia to restore alignment and relieve pain.

It works with the nervous system by putting gentle pressure at different points along the spinal cord. All of the nerves in your body originate at the spinal cord. Thus this sense of calm, wellbeing, and vitality radiates outward, bringing your whole nervous back into balance.

Craniosacral Therapy works on your skeletal system by restoring alignment along your spine. It also works with the bones of the skull to release painful areas where they have been jammed together. This is what makes it a miracle modality for headaches and TMJ disorder. This modality is an essential part of my TMJ protocol.

The Sports/Reparative Massage is the most intensive session offered at Helena B. Healing. This is for you if you are dealing with a serious, painful, and/or complex issue. Perhaps you have been diagnosed by a doctor through imaging or testing, or you have been experiencing pain and dysfunction and feel that something is very wrong.

My Sports/Reparative massage techniques include deep targeted massage, myofascial release, assisted stretching, Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, nerve flossing, active motion, and Craniosacral postural realignment.

This session has proven to provide many people with relief from painful conditions.