TMJ
Intra-oral massage therapy for TMJ dysfunction
Trained Vancouver RMT to work inside the mouth, where the muscles that drive jaw pain actually live.
UNDERSTANDING TMJ
More common than you think. More treatable than you've been told.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction affects the jaw joint and the muscles around it and it's significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated.
The TMJ is one of the most complex joints in the body. It hinges and slides simultaneously, is used hundreds of times a day, and is surrounded by muscles that can carry an enormous amount of stored tension, particularly in people who clench their jaw, grind their teeth (bruxism), or hold stress in the face.
What makes TMJ dysfunction particularly difficult is that the muscles responsible are inside the mouth. External massage, even skilled external massage, can only address part of the picture. Direct intra-oral access is often what makes the difference.
SIGNS AND SYMPTONS
Is this what you're dealing with?
TMJ dysfunction presents in a wide range of ways, many of which aren't obviously "jaw" problems until you know what to look for.
Primary Symptons
Jaw pain or soreness — especially in the morning or after eating
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
Restricted mouth opening (can't open wide without pain or difficulty)
Jaw locking — open or closed
Pain or tenderness in the jaw muscles (cheeks, temples, under the cheekbones)
Secondary Symptoms (Often Missed)
Tension headaches, especially at the temples or behind the eyes
Ear pain or a sense of fullness in the ears (without ear infection)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) with no identified cause
Neck and shoulder tension that doesn't fully resolve with regular massage
Facial pain, especially one-sided
Tooth sensitivity without dental cause
TRAINING & CREDENTIALS
Post-graduate TMJ training
Intra-oral massage is not part of standard RMT training. It requires post-graduate coursework and supervised practice.
I completed formal advanced training in TMJ assessment and intra-oral massage in 2025, adding to a foundation that includes chronic pain management, neuromuscular technique, and ongoing clinical education through the Manual and Movement Therapist's Community.
This is a service offered by a very small number of Vancouver RMTs. If you've been told your TMJ can't be helped with massage — it's worth a second opinion.
Ready to feel the difference?
Book online in minutes via JaneApp. New patients are always welcome.
Mobile sessions available across Greater Vancouver.