TMJ Presentation — Observed Response to External and Gloved Intra-Oral Soft-Tissue Care

Overview

This example describes observable jaw mechanics, cervical soft-tissue findings, breathing patterns, and postural characteristics noted during massage therapy treatment for TMJ-related symptoms.

It reflects one individual presentation during a single session and is provided for educational purposes only.

Presentation

  • Jaw and head symptoms

  • Bruxism (clenching and grinding); bite guard use reported

  • Headaches and scalp sensitivity

  • Jaw fatigue with chewing

  • Jaw opening limited to approximately one finger width

  • Mild C-curve deviation during opening

  • Sensitivity around the masseter and temporalis regions

  • Neck, shoulder, and upper-back findings

  • Forward head posture

  • Increased cervical and upper-thoracic muscle tension

  • Notable tenderness in the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis regions

  • Increased tone in SCM, scalenes, suboccipitals, and upper trapezius

  • Breathing pattern

  • Shallow, upper-chest dominant breathing

  • Reduced lower rib expansion

  • Subjective sense of restriction with inhalation

  • No red-flag symptoms were reported.

Treatment Approach

  • A single 90-minute massage therapy session was provided, emphasizing gentle, targeted, and non-provocative contact.

  • Treatment included:

  • Gentle cranial and peri-TMJ soft-tissue contact

  • External soft-tissue work to the masseter, temporalis, suprahyoids, and digastric

  • Gloved intra-oral soft-tissue treatment (with informed consent), including accessible aspects of the medial and lateral pterygoid regions, internal borders of the masseter, and related intra-oral tissues

  • Cervical and upper-thoracic soft-tissue work, including splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, SCM, scalenes, suboccipitals, upper trapezius, and upper thoracic paraspinals

  • Gentle diaphragm and lower rib soft-tissue contact to support breathing efficiency

  • Slow pacing, minimal verbal input, and predictable transitions

  • No joint manipulation, thrust techniques, or forceful pressure were used.

Observations During and After Treatment

  • Jaw mechanics

  • Jaw opening increased from approximately one finger width to approximately three finger widths

  • C-curve deviation during opening was no longer observed

  • Jaw movement appeared smoother and more coordinated

  • Reduced tenderness noted in external and intra-oral tissues

  • Head, neck, and upper-body observations

  • Forward head posture appeared reduced toward a more neutral alignment

  • Cervical tissues palpated with less guarding

  • Decreased tone noted in splenius capitis/cervicis, SCM, and suboccipital regions

  • Upper-back tissues felt more pliable on palpation

  • Breathing

  • Breathing appeared deeper and less effortful

  • Reduced upper-chest dominance

  • Improved lower rib movement observed

  • General response

  • Reduced global guarding

  • No adverse responses reported

Clinical Context

TMJ-related symptoms often interact with cervical muscle tone, posture, breathing patterns, and stress-related muscle activation.

Massage therapy, including appropriately trained and consented gloved intra-oral soft-tissue work, may support comfort and regulation in some individuals.

Responses vary and are influenced by multiple factors.

This example documents observations only and does not establish causation or predict outcomes.

Important Note on Case Examples

This scenario reflects one individual’s presentation and observed response during a single session.

It does not represent typical outcomes and does not guarantee similar results for others.