Intraoral massage, also known as buccal massage, has gained significant traction in the beauty and therapeutic industries. This distinctive technique involves the manipulation of facial muscles both inside and outside the mouth, aiming to fortify and tone these muscles, resulting in a rejuvenated appearance without resorting to invasive procedures. This article delves into the specifics of intraoral massage, exploring its benefits, techniques, and applications in both cosmetic and therapeutic contexts.
What is Intraoral Massage?
Intraoral massage is a specialized technique where a trained therapist, wearing sterile gloves, works the facial muscles from both inside and outside the mouth. This involves the therapist placing their fingers inside the mouth to skillfully manipulate the face, neck, and décolletage. The technique is renowned for being intensely relaxing and highly effective in enhancing the appearance of the face. It serves as a non-invasive alternative to treatments like Botox, fillers, and facelifts due to its capacity to strengthen, tone, and sculpt the face while diminishing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
Benefits of Intraoral Massage
Intraoral massage offers a range of complementary benefits, making it a sought-after treatment for both aesthetic and therapeutic purposes. These benefits include:
- Improved Blood Circulation: Massage enhances blood flow to the facial tissues, promoting cell nourishment and regeneration.
- Aids Lymphatic Drainage: Facilitates the removal of toxins and waste, reducing facial swelling and puffiness.
- Increases Microcirculation: Enhances the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the skin's tissue.
- Restoration of Muscle Tone and Elasticity: Helps to tighten and firm the facial muscles, combating age-related muscle weakening.
- Smoothing of the Skin: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles through muscle toning and improved circulation.
- Released Muscle Tension: Alleviates tension in the jaw, face, and neck, providing relief from discomfort and pain.
- Eliminates Spasms and Blockages: Addresses muscle spasms and blockages, promoting relaxation and improved muscle function.
- Enables Tissue Nourishment: Enhances the delivery of essential nutrients to the facial tissues, supporting their health and vitality.
- Stimulates Skin Cell Regeneration: Promotes the growth of new skin cells, contributing to a more youthful and radiant complexion.
- Prevention of Wrinkles: Regular massage can help prevent the formation of new wrinkles by maintaining muscle tone and skin elasticity.
- Deep Relaxation: The technique is inherently relaxing, reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being.
These combined effects contribute to a face that appears younger, stronger, and healthier.
Intraoral Massage Techniques
Self-Intraoral Massage Guidelines
While it is generally recommended to seek treatment from a trained therapist, self-intraoral massage can be performed to prolong the effects of professional treatments. Here are some general guidelines:
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- Hygiene: Thoroughly wash your hands before starting the massage to prevent infection.
- Locate Buccal Muscles: Gently insert your index and middle fingers into your mouth, using your tongue to guide them to the buccal muscles located in the cheeks.
- Apply Gentle Pressure: Apply gentle pressure to the buccal muscles using your fingertips, moving in circular or back-and-forth motions. Avoid pressing too hard or causing pain.
- Massage Different Areas: Move your fingers to different areas of the buccal muscles, continuing to apply gentle pressure.
- Rinse: After a few minutes, remove your fingers from your mouth and rinse your mouth with water.
Professional Intraoral Massage Techniques
A professional intraoral massage typically involves several key steps and techniques to maximize its benefits:
- Assessment: The therapist will assess your jaw area, ask questions about your symptoms, and measure your ability to open your mouth to determine the cause of dysfunction and understand the full picture of symptoms.
- Warm-Up: The therapy often begins with a warm-up, where the provider massages the masseter muscles to relax them before the intraoral massage.
- Intraoral Massage: During the intraoral massage, the provider uses different techniques. Some use the thumbs and index fingers to massage the interior of the mouth, while other fingers massage the outside area.
- Surrounding Areas Massage: After the intraoral massage, the provider massages the patient’s face, neck, shoulders, and scalp to ensure comprehensive relaxation and relief.
- Lymphatic Drainage: Some therapists incorporate advanced lymphatic drainage techniques performed inside the mouth to enhance the removal of toxins.
- Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR): Some massage therapists combine massage with post-isometric relaxation techniques. This involves the therapist placing thumbs on the molar and premolar chewing surface of the patient’s mouth and abducting the mandible passively until a functional barrier is reached. The patient then performs adductors isometric contraction for 10s using 20% of maximum force and then relaxes muscles, and the therapist abducts the mandible to the new functional barrier.
Specific Techniques for At-Home Practice
For those looking to incorporate intraoral massage techniques into their daily routine, it's best to start with the basics. Since intraoral massage requires special training, it is probably best for beginners to book with a professional before incorporating the techniques into their at-home routine.
One recommended technique involves massaging the modiolus, a connection point for nine muscles located at each corner of the mouth. This can be done externally by pinching above and below the lips with the lengths of the thumb and forefinger and walking the pinched grip out past the corners of the lips. The modiolus can also be massaged intraorally by placing the pad of the thumb inside the corner of the mouth and the pad of the index finger against it on the outside, gently massaging in a circular motion.
Another technique involves releasing the jaw by placing the thumb in the mouth by the jaw, with the thumb facing out. Then, use the first and second fingers to meet where the thumb is and gently pull the lower half of the cheeks toward the center of the face.
Intraoral Massage for TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), often referred to as TMJ, can cause significant discomfort and affect daily life. Intraoral massage is an effective solution for managing TMJ disorders by targeting trigger points-areas of tightness and pain within the muscles. The primary muscle involved is the masseter muscle, which is crucial for chewing and located on the sides of the face.
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How it Works
TMJD often results from overworked and tight muscles in the jaw caused by stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, or misalignment. Intraoral massage helps by directly targeting these muscles from both inside and outside the mouth.
- External Massage: The therapist begins by working on the surrounding muscles of the face, neck, and shoulders to reduce tension and improve circulation.
- Internal Massage: Using a gloved hand, the therapist gently applies pressure inside the mouth to release knots and adhesions in the jaw muscles.
- Stretching & Relaxation Techniques: Gentle stretching and self-care recommendations help maintain the benefits between sessions.
Benefits for TMJ Sufferers
- Reduced Jaw Pain and Tightness: Alleviates discomfort and pain in the jaw muscles.
- Improved Mobility and Range of Motion: Increases the ability to open and close the mouth without pain.
- Relief from Headaches and Migraines: Reduces headaches and migraines caused by muscle tension in the face and jaw.
- Decreased Clicking or Popping: Addresses clicking or popping in the jaw joint by releasing muscle tension.
- Stress and Tension Reduction: Helps decrease tension related to stress and clenching.
Scientific Evidence and Studies
Research supports the efficacy of massage therapy in managing TMJ disorders. A study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that patients who received massage therapy for TMJ showed significant improvement in pain and jaw function.
Another study compared massage therapy alone versus massage therapy combined with post-isometric relaxation exercises in patients with TMD. The results suggested that massage therapy combined with post-isometric relaxation is more effective than massage therapy alone in managing pain and improving mouth opening in TMD patients.
A study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies also supports the use of intraoral myofascial therapy for chronic myogenous temporomandibular pain.
Contraindications
As a rule, oral sores and infections of any kind are contraindicated with this technique, and it could be uncomfortable for someone who had recently had dental work. Medina-Cleghorn notes, "I wouldn’t perform it on someone who has had botox or filler in the past 2 weeks." However, if one has jaw botox, but still wants to try, past the two week window, there are still benefits.
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