TMJ TENSION & BUCCAL MASSAGE
If you’ve ever experienced jaw tightness, teeth grinding, or soreness around your temples, you might be dealing with TMJ tension. Many people don’t realise how much stress, posture, or everyday habits can affect the jaw muscles, but there are treatments that can help. One highly effective way to release this tension is a buccal massage, a specialised facial massage that targets the muscles both inside and outside the mouth.
At my studio in Norwich, I use buccal massage to relieve TMJ tension, improve jaw mobility, and support overall facial comfort.
What is TMJ?
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull, located just in front of your ears. It allows you to chew, speak, yawn, and perform all jaw movements.
The TMJ doesn’t work alone - several muscles surrounding the jaw control its movement. When these muscles become tense or overactive, they can place stress on the joint, leading to discomfort and restricted mobility.
Key Muscles Involved:
1. Masseter
Located at the sides of your jaw, it’s the primary chewing muscle.
Tension here can cause jaw stiffness, soreness, and contribute to teeth grinding.
2. Temporalis
Located at the temples, above your ears.
Tightness can lead to temple pain, headaches, and difficulty opening or closing your mouth.
3. Medial Pterygoid
A deeper muscle inside the jaw that stabilises the joint and assists with chewing.
Overactivity can make the jaw feel locked or restrict side-to-side movement.
4. Lateral Pterygoid
A deep muscle controlling jaw opening and side-to-side motion.
Tension here can cause clicking, popping, or uneven jaw movement.
5. Buccal
Located in the cheek area, between the upper and lower jaw.
Plays a key role in facial expression and chewing.
Tension here can contribute to overall jaw tightness and discomfort; releasing this muscle during a buccal massage helps reduce TMJ tension and improve facial mobility.
When these muscles are tense, the TMJ can become compressed or misaligned, resulting in jaw soreness or stiffness, teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, headaches or temple pain and even difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
TMJ tension often develops due to stress, posture, dental issues, or repetitive habits like chewing gum. While it’s rarely a serious issue, it can still impact comfort and daily life.
How Buccal Massage Helps
A buccal massage targets both external and internal jaw muscles to relieve tension and improve mobility. Benefits include:
Reducing jaw tightness and soreness
Easing symptoms of TMJ tension
Improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage
Promoting relaxation and a sense of calm
Supporting better jaw mobility and overall facial comfort
It’s important to note that buccal massage is not a cure for TMJ disorders, but it can provide significant relief and complement other treatments such as physiotherapy, dental care, or stress management techniques.
What Happens During a Buccal Massage?
During a session, the treatment is tailored to you:
External facial massage – Gentle pressure is applied to the jaw, temples, and cheeks to release surface tension.
Internal massage inside the mouth (optional) – Using sterile gloved fingers, deeper jaw muscles are targeted to release built-up tension. This can feel intense, particularly over the masseter and buccal, but it’s safe and effective.
Many clients notice immediate relief, a reduction in tension, and a lighter, more relaxed face. It’s normal to feel a little soreness the next day, especially if your muscles were very tight. Regular monthly sessions are recommended to maintain relief and support long-term jaw mobility.
Who can benefit?
Buccal massage is suitable for anyone experiencing:
Jaw tension or stiffness
Teeth grinding or clenching
Temple or facial discomfort
Stress-related facial tightness
General facial fatigue
If you’d like to learn more or book a session, I’d love to hear from you - visit my contact page or send me an email, and we’ll find the best way to help your jaw feel relaxed, comfortable and sculpted.