Pregancy & Postpartum
Pregnancy and postpartum intro
two or three sentences.
What is … pregnancy?
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.
What and why is it happening?
Common Symptoms
Jaw, tooth, sinus, or ear pain
Headaches or facial pain
Clicking/popping/locking
Teeth grinding or clenching
Limited mouth opening
Frequent Causes & Aggravating Factors
Chronic stress
Joint mechanics
Posture
Bruxism (grinding or clenching teeth)
Nervous system sensitivity
Potentially Related Conditions
Headaches & Migraines
Chronic Pain
Hypermobility & EDS
Stress & Burnout
How might massage therapy help?
Massage therapy is about much more that hands on techniques. Each appointment starts with a conversation to determine what is bringing you in, what you hope to achieve, how massage therapy may help achieve those goals, and how to bring the benefits of massage therapy to you off of the treatment table.
Massage therapy can reduce sympathetic nervous system activation, reduce muscle tension, increase range of motion, and increase local circulation. These changes together can reduce pain, decrease feelings of stress, and improve your quality of life.
When should I seek other care?
Massage therapy is one part of a holistic healthcare team. Applied appropriately, massage is safe and effective for many conditions. However it may not always be the best approach to a given symptom set.
Depending on your presentation, I may recommend discussing your concerns with your physician, dentist, chiropractor, physiotherapist, or another healthcare professional instead of, or in combination with your massage therapy treatment plan.
What does a treatment with Amanda look like?
Since 2011, I have been building my “toolbox” of techniques and skills to provide my patients with treatments that are as helpful as possible. Your treatment will be based on your presentation, preferences, and goals.
For a TMJ treatment, I will likely suggest scalp and facial massage, intraoral massage, and some attention to your neck and shoulders. We would determine together if you’d like to incorporate cupping, acupuncture, hydrotherapy (hot/cold applications), guided breathing, or active release techniques.
I may have “go-to” techniques, but you are the one in charge. If you don’t want to have a certain technique done for any reason, that’s no problem! I love the challenge of thinking outside the box to support your autonomy and individual needs.
TMJD FAQ’s
Is intraoral massage required?
Intraoral massage, techniques applied to muscles and tissues of the jaw from inside the mouth, can be incredibly helpful in reducing TMJD symptoms. But it is not required! There are many other techniques that can be used to achieve your treatment goals.
Will massage therapy cure my jaw pain?
Massage therapy can be very effective in helping many people manage TMJD symptoms. However, massage therapy is not a cure. Management of your symptoms may also require treatment from your primary care provider or dentist. Homecare will also be an important part of your plan.
Are my headaches caused by jaw tension?
Headaches commonly occur with TMJD, so yes, they might be. For example, trigger points can be caused by an imbalance of force applied by the primary TMJ muscles. The referral patterns of these trigger points can be along the forehead, temples, sinuses, and scalp causing headaches.