The basic massage therapy training is, at best, cursory in this area due to understandable time constraints. We thus intend to always have on staff at Park Lane Dental Specialists a Registered Massage Therapist with advanced formal training in neuromuscular therapy devoted entirely to TMJ/TMD. Our in-house clinician, Ms. Kim Tanner is a neuromuscular therapy trained Registered Massage Therapist that works out of Park Lane Dental Specialists with specific training in this area. 

Ms. Tanner focuses on the treatment of upper ¼ body chronic pain conditions including (however, not limited to) jaw joint pain (TMJ/TMD), head and neck pain, fibromyalgia and utilizes additional complementary physical therapies such as Sonophoresis and Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulation (ETPS) where appropriate. Out of office clinicians eg: DDS, MD’s and Physiotherapists can also refer directly to Ms. Tanner if they so wish.

We believe that education is essential; Ms. Tanner teaches patients about posture, biomechanics and offers advice on how to correct other things that may be influencing your pain or condition. Time is of the essence and compliance with a treatment plan and homecare advice assists in achieving a faster recovery.  We believe that only through additional specialized training, ongoing clinical education and working together with other clinicians (for a thorough multi-disciplinary approach) can this type of care be provided correctly and efficiently. 

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a variety of conditions that cause tenderness and pain in the temporomandibular joint and also refer pain to surrounding areas including the back of the head, neck and shoulders.  TMD is characterized by jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, difficulty opening and more.  Temporomandibular joint dysfunction may result from a wide variety of underlying causes that range from whiplash, disc displacement or deterioration, malocclusion and postural causes; just to name a few. Muscles that are involved with the joint (and surrounding areas) often may become hypertonic (abnormal increase of muscle tone), hypercontractured (shortened), develop myofascial trigger points (area of tenderness in a tight band of muscle that often refer pain to various areas of the head and neck) and also become ischemic (lack of blood flow and nutrients to the soft tissue which is required by the body to function at an optimal level).     In addition, muscle imbalances from postural distortions may also cause deviations in the position of the mandible and poor biomechanics (internal and external forces exerted on the musculoskeletal system during activities of daily life) cause secondary stresses to the muscles and joints.

A Neuromuscular Based Massage Therapy Approach
For The Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction

During the initial visit, following an interview, an assessment and analysis of various body structures will be conducted to evaluate the present condition of the musculoskeletal system.  After a thorough assessment, massage therapists are able to perform a variety of soft tissue manipulations, trigger point releases, myofascial releases, gentle joint play, and hydrotherapy modalities to help eliminate the factors that are causing TMD. When we understand the origin and source/cause of pain we are able to treat the cause of pain and the contributing factors, not just the effects.  Your assessment results will be formulated into a treatment plan specific to a protocol of rehabilitation to produce the most efficient and long lasting results.