The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is on the sides of your head in front of your ears, explains MayoClinic.com. This joint opens your mouth. If you have a TMJ disorder or are experiencing stress, you might have pain and soreness in the TMJ. MayoClinic.com notes that yoga poses and other aspects of yoga, such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation, can help alleviate TMJ problems.
Downward-Facing Dog
When you bring your head toward the floor in the downward-facing dog pose, you bring blood and lymph to your TMJ, according to Tias Little, co-director of Yogasource in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in a "Yoga Journal" interview. Begin on your hands and knees and bring your head toward the floor as you lift your thighs and pelvis toward the ceiling. Bring your heels down to the floor as far as you can and hold this pose for one to three minutes.
Supported Shoulder-Stand
The supported shoulder-stand is another pose that brings blood to the TMJ, according to Little. Pile two folded blankets on top of each other. Lie on your back with your shoulders on the blankets and bend your knees with your feet on the floor. While breathing out, bring your legs up and forward as you push your arms into the blankets. Bend your arms and support your back with your hands while holding your legs straight toward the ceiling. Start doing this pose for 30 seconds and you can gradually work up to three to five minutes.
Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose
The legs-up-the-wall pose is a gentler version of the shoulder-stand that creates the same effect of bringing blood to the TMJ, explains Little. Begin with blankets again and use them to support the small of your back. Sit sideways to the side of the blankets and twist your legs up the wall while you lie on your back on top of the blankets. Lay your arms relaxed up and to the sides. Hold this pose for five to 15 minutes while keeping your neck and throat relaxed and open.
Seated Meditation
According to Little, the simple act of performing seated meditation is better than yoga poses for TMJ. This is because through meditation, you learn to relax and let go of the tension in your jaw. Sit in a position that is comfortable for you. Let the tension go in your tongue and eyes and relax your jaw and mouth. Once you have practiced relaxing your jaw during meditation, you can carry the practice to other areas of your life.
Member Comments