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Intra-Oral Massage and TMJ Relief

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What is intra-oral massage? Intra = Inside, Oral = Mouth 

While you may have just raised an eyebrow or crinkled your forehead, I can assure you that when I first heard of this type of massage, my first though was, “that’s weird.” Then I had it done, and I realized that I’d been missing out on amazing work for both myself and hundreds of clients who could’ve benefited from this type of work.

Intra-oral is a modality in massage that targets relaxing the Temporomandibular joint from the inside of the mouth.  You may have heard someone say that they have “TMJ dysfunction” and their jaw clicks or pops quite often. They are talking about the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ can often cause headaches, migraines, neck, and jaw pain. 

What causes TMJ dysfunction?

  • Chronic Grinding / Clenching 
  • Jaw injury
  • Improper alignment 
  • Various types of arthritis
  • Tissue diseases 

  These things cause damage to the structural integrity of the joint and can lead to :

  • Pain or tenderness in the jaw
  • Pain in one or both of your joints
  • Aching pain in or around your ear
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Facial pain
  • Difficulty opening and closing the jaw (lockjaw) 

What can we do to prevent pain from TMJ?

Well, we could eat soft foods forever or workout/stretch our jaw; but that sounds like a terrible crash diet and “working out” doesn’t sound like fun. Certainly talk to your doctor about your symptoms, if they are serious these may be some options for those with more serious TMJ pain. 

As a massage therapist what I can tell you for sure is that intra-oral massage is most definitely a preventative measure, and can help manage painful symptoms in most cases. Roughtly 10 million people in the US suffer from TMJ. Many of these cases are acute which means that the signs and symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Massage therapy can help to reduce tension in the joint letting it stabilize.

How do you massage TMJ in your mouth?

With non-latex gloves our trained staff will glove up and relax the muscles attached to the joint, as well as the gums and drain your sinuses. Typically the therapist will use one to two fingers inside the mouth while the other fingers are working on the outside of the mouth, cheek and jaw. But don’t worry, your entire massage won’t be spent on just your face and mouth. Your therapist will assess your needs and target those areas as well. During this massage the therapist may also work on the neck, scalp, shoulders and head as needed for your symptoms. 

Does it hurt?

This is the question I get most from clients. As we all know the mouth is a sensitive area of the body. While this treatment can be uncomfortable, it should never be extremely painful. During your massage your therapist will have one of your arms visible to them at all times. We like to use this as a warning system. This helps us to communicate with you while it’s not so easy to talk. 

As I like to say to my clients, “communication is key”. Above all, we ask that you please be honest with us as to what you feel whether that be too much or too little pressure. This massage does not have to hurt in order to work. 

What can I expect after this massage?

  • Reduced jaw pain
  • Reduced neck and shoulder pain
  • Increased mobility in jaw 
  • A natural “facelift” (more sculpted features)

How do I book?

Click here or you can call into Summit Spa and Float during business hours (9AM-10PM Monday- Saturday) and speak to one of our guest specialists to book today! 

Article Written By: L.M.T. Celeste Gibson 

I moved to Utah from Alaska in 2018 and became a massage therapist. I love deep tissue and axillary work more than anything !
Although new to the field I was fortunate enough to have a small class of 4 at Utah College of Massage Therapy which gave me the chance to learn advanced skills some which include inter mouth, and pelvic floor.
As an athlete myself I love working with athletes to help them retain balance in their day to day. Injury, deep tissue, structural , sports and trigger point are some of the many modalities I refer to when tailoring client specific massages.
Not every day is going to feel like a step forward, but as a stop along the way I hope to improve the life and wellbeing of all my clients.
When I’m not massaging you can catch me watching those good ol’ Atlanta Braves, or playing an instrument.

 

Microneedling – What is it, and what you need to know.

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Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that uses tiny needles to prick the skin creating superficial micro-channels. These tiny needles create micro-injuries to the skin which will stimulate the skin’s natural ability to heal itself and increase its production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced in our body, as we age the production of collagen decreases. Dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz says  “Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look”.  While microneedling is most commonly done on the face and neck, it can be safely done anywhere on the body.

What is Microneedling good for?

  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Acne scarring or general scarring
  • Enlarged pores 
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Can Improve appearance of stretch marks
  • Under Eye bags

Book a Microneedling appointment by clicking here.

How long will it take to see results from Microneedling?

You can notice an immediate glow to the skin after the treatment. Visible changes to the skin will develop over the course of several days and weeks. You may see continued improvement up to 6 months as the collagen production continues.

Does Microneedling hurt?

A numbing cream is applied to the area making your microneedling session more comfortable. Everyone’s pain tolerance is different while some may feel a slight pricking sensation others may feel hardly nothing at all. Certain areas on the face may feel more sensitive than others. 

Immediately after the treatment you may experience redness and feel tighter than usual. You may feel as if you have a mild to moderate sunburn. This is a normal reaction and generally subsides after a couple hours and diminishes within 24 hours. You may see redness after 24 hours but only in minimal areas.  You may also experience flaking of the skin as your body is producing new layers of fresh skin.

Do I have to bleed to get good results?

Definitely not! While some may experience pinpoint bleeding, others may not and that is perfectly normal! You will still get the same amazing results!  In some areas of your skin,  the Dermis layer is thinner which can result in small bleeding. Our trained Aestheticians control the depth of the needle depending where on the skin they are performing and how many treatments the client has done. We can ensure that you will get an excellent treatment every time regardless of whether you bleed or not.

How should I care for my skin after Microneedling?

  • Your Aesthetician will provide you with a take home cleanser and moisturizer to use. 
  • Avoid touching the treated area for 24 hours as your skin is still healing. 
  • Sleep with a clean pillow to avoid any bacteria getting in the skin.
  • Avoid wearing makeup for 24-72 hrs or as directed by your Aesthetician. 
  • Avoid any active ingredients such as AHA’s, BHA’s, Retinol, or Vitamin C for at least 72 hours.
  • Avoid direct sunlight for 24 hrs and wear sunscreen with an spf of 25 or greater.

How often should I come in for Microneedling?

The amount of times someone should come in will vary from person to person depending on their concerns and skin condition. If you have minimal concerns and are coming in more for preventative measures then, we suggest coming in once every season (Winter, Spring, Summer, & Fall). If you have concerns such as scarring or wrinkles then we suggest coming in for at least 3 sessions spaced out 3-4 weeks apart. We also recommended getting on a good homecare routine to see optimal results. We also suggest pairing microneedling with a chemical peel to boost your results. Our trained Aestheticians can discuss with you what they feel would be best for your skin.

This article was written by:

Clarissa Hadley

 

A recent graduate of Acaydia Spa & School of Esthetics. Clarissa is passionate about all things aesthetics. She loves being able to be a part of her clients skin care journey. Helping people to feel confident in their own skin is part of why she loves what she does.

Clarissa loves listening to her clients and talking them through different treatments that would best fit their needs. Making people feel comfortable and relaxed is definitely a gift. Her first client here at Summit told our front desk staff, “That was the best facial I’ve ever had in my life!”

Some of her favorite services to perform are: chemical peels, Microneedling, and facials. These are her favorite because she loves seeing the results that follow those treatments.

When she’s not at the spa she loves to draw and spend time with her husband, playing softball, going on rides, or playing games.