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 allow me to release tension in deeper muscle layers that cannot be reached through massage. It is crucial to deal with the neck muscles, as they pull and put pressure on your 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 actually enjoyable as well as extremely effective! This is in contrast to dental or orthodontic work for TMJ, which often includes stressful and painful procedures. Because many people’s jaw clenching comes from stress, this is counter productive! A calm and consistent treatment approach can make a big difference.

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 your areas of pain, as well as decrease your overall physical and mental stress. One of the ways Therapeutic Massage heals your muscles is through reintroducing blood flow. This brings nourishing oxygen back into tense and constricted muscles, as well as disposes of wastes that have built up. Therapeutic Massage also stretches your muscles through the angle and pressure of the massage techniques. Lastly, the compassionate touch and calming strokes of Therapeutic Massage do wonders for letting your entire body 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 would recommend this option for you if you are very physically active and as a result experience tight and sore muscles.

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 because blood delivers nourishing oxygen to your 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, create a feeling being cocooned in warmth and safety, and release subtle blockages in the body. If your mind, nervous system, and soul need support–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 massage, it is in no way less powerful. This is because Craniosacral Therapy works with important systems in 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. 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.

Musculoskeletal Alignment Massage is the most intensive session offered at Helena B. Healing. This is for you if you are dealing with a complex muscle, joint, or nerve issue. Perhaps you have been diagnosed by a doctor through imaging or testing, or you have been experiencing severe pain and dysfunction and feel that something is very wrong. If you are in the latter position, I will conduct an array of assessments in order to discover what may be causing your pain. Musculoskeletal Alignment Techniques, pioneered by esteemed bodywork educator Erik Dalton, includes both assessment and treatment, which is why it is so effective in resolving complex issues. In practice, the Musculoskeletal Alignment Massage brings together deep tissue massage, myofascial techniques, assisted stretching, postural realignment techniques, nerve flossing, and active motion. During your session I choose from this array of tools based on what your assessment has shown needs to be addressed. This session has proven to provide many people with relief from painful conditions.