TMJ Massage Columbia SC
Living with jaw tension or frequent headaches can affect everything from eating and talking to simply relaxing. At Here’s the Rub Massage Therapy in Columbia, SC, our TMJ massage is designed to bring lasting relief through careful, targeted work on the muscles responsible for jaw movement and stability.
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, affects the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. When that joint or its supporting muscles become tight, inflamed, or misaligned, it can trigger a wide range of highly uncomfortable symptoms:
- Jaw clicking or locking
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Ear or tooth aches
- Neck or shoulder tension
Our TMJ massage addresses both the muscular and structural components of this condition using gentle, precise techniques that ease discomfort and improve movement.
Understanding TMJ Massage
A TMJ massage focuses on the muscles surrounding the jaw and head that contribute to dysfunction, including the masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid. These muscles work constantly when you talk, chew, or clench your teeth, and over time, they become tight or inflamed.
At Here’s the Rub Massage Therapy, each session begins with external work on the muscles of the neck, face, and shoulders to release surface tension. Once those areas are relaxed, your therapist may perform a gentle internal massage, working carefully inside the mouth to release tightness at its source. This combination of techniques helps restore the full range of motion, reduce pressure, and relieve related pain.
How TMJ Massage Helps
Many clients are surprised to learn how connected jaw tension is to headaches, ear pain, and even upper back pain. Our TMJ massage addresses those patterns by improving circulation, releasing chronic muscle tension, and reducing inflammation in the joint area.
Here are some of the key benefits:
- Reduced jaw and facial pain: Targeted techniques ease tightness in the main jaw muscles, relieving strain on the temporomandibular joint.
- Relief from tension headaches: By relaxing the muscles that attach from the jaw to the skull, many clients experience fewer and less severe headaches.
- Improved mobility: Working both externally and internally helps increase the jaw’s natural range of motion, making it easier to open and close your mouth.
- Better posture: Loosening tension in the neck and shoulders helps restore alignment and balance.
- Lower stress: When your jaw tension is high, you are under stress, the massage helps to break that cycle and calm you down.
Our TMJ massage is gentle and noninvasive, yet highly effective when performed consistently.
What to Expect During Your Session
Your session at Here’s the Rub Massage Therapy is designed for comfort and results. The therapist begins with an assessment of your symptoms and may discuss areas of tightness or discomfort before starting. The treatment typically includes:
- External muscle work: Massage around the neck, shoulders, and jaw to warm and loosen the larger muscles.
- Internal massage: Light pressure applied inside the mouth (with gloves) to reach deep tension in the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles.
- Gentle stretching: Guided movement to help restore flexibility and improve joint alignment.
Communication is encouraged throughout the process to ensure the pressure stays in your pressure zone. Many clients describe the experience as strange at first, but the relief after can be significant.
Typical session lengths and rates:
- 1 hour – $100.00
- 1 ½ hours – $125.00
- 2 hours – $180
Sessions can be booked as standalone treatments or combined with other services such as a deep tissue massage or acupressure massage for a complete, restorative experience.
Why Choose Here’s the Rub Massage Therapy
With more than twenty years of hands-on experience, Here’s the Rub Massage Therapy offers unmatched skill in addressing TMJ dysfunction and chronic pain. Your therapist’s understanding of your facial structure, muscle tension patterns, and body alignment allows for precise, individualized care.
Clients across Columbia, SC, appreciate the attention to detail, the calm setting, and how your therapist has the ability to blend clinical knowledge with a compassionate touch. Whether you’ve struggled with TMJ pain for years or recently developed symptoms, you’ll receive expert guidance and lasting relief.
Other specialized services available at Here’s the Rub Massage Therapy include:
- Sports Massage: for muscle recovery and injury prevention
- Stick massage: for deep muscle tension
- Hot Stone Massage: for a warm and weighted way to relax
Together, these treatments support long-term comfort and balance throughout your body.
Long-Term Relief Through Consistent Care
TMJ dysfunction often improves most when massage is part of a regular care plan. Ongoing sessions help maintain muscle flexibility, prevent jaw clenching, and promote healthy alignment. Pairing massage with good posture, stretching, and relaxation techniques can further reduce tension and discomfort.
Here’s the Rub Massage Therapy works with each client to develop a personalized plan based on their lifestyle and recovery goals. Whether you need relief from daily stress or help managing chronic jaw pain, this approach focuses on steady progress and real results.