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TMJ/Jaw Tension Release Exercises

health · easy · 5 minutes per round, 6x/day (30 min total)

What is TMJ/Jaw Tension Release Exercises?

A self-treatment protocol for temporomandibular joint dysfunction and jaw tension using the Rocabado 6x6 exercise framework. Addresses clenching, grinding, jaw pain, headaches, and restricted mouth opening caused by stress, poor posture, or habitual tension.

Is there evidence for it?

EVIDENCEmoderate

How do you do TMJ/Jaw Tension Release Exercises?

  1. 1.Relaxed Jaw Exercise: Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth behind your front teeth. Allow your teeth to come apart while relaxing the jaw muscles. Hold for 5 seconds, breathe deeply. Repeat 6 times.
  2. 2.Controlled Opening: With tongue on the roof of your mouth, slowly open your mouth as wide as you can without the tongue leaving the palate. Hold 5 seconds, close slowly. Repeat 6 times. This trains controlled, symmetrical jaw movement.
  3. 3.Resisted Opening/Closing: Place a finger under your chin. Slowly open your mouth while gently resisting with your finger. Hold 3-5 seconds. Then place a finger on top of your chin and resist while closing. 6 reps each.
  4. 4.Lateral Jaw Stretch: Place an index finger on the outside of your jaw on the painful side. Push your jaw toward the finger (laterally), resisting slightly. Hold 5 seconds, repeat 6 times per side.
  5. 5.Perform the full Rocabado 6x6 protocol: 6 repetitions of each exercise, 6 times per day. Also: avoid gum chewing, practice jaw-open sleeping position, apply warm compress to jaw for 10 min before exercises, and address neck posture (forward head position worsens TMJ).

How long does it take?

5 minutes per round, 6x/day (30 min total).

Is it hard to start?

easy.

Source: Cleveland Clinic TMJ Massage; WebMD TMJ Exercises; Hinge Health; Kaiser Permanente TMJ Protocol; Healthline
tmj · jaw-pain · tension · bruxism · headache · stress · rocabado · facial-pain
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