Bruxism is a condition in which you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth, causing pain, loosening of the teeth and tooth loss. The Mayo Clinic explains that the cause of this condition varies from stress to misaligned teeth and consumption of stimulants, such as caffeine. Treatment approaches include medications for pain and to relax the muscles. Alternative approaches, such as acupressure, may also help decrease stress and help relieve tension in the muscles of your jaw. Check with your physician before using any alternative treatment.
The Theory Behind Acupressure
Acupressure, according to AcupressureOnline, is built on the same theory that your body is divided into points that lie on lines called meridians. Healthy meridians, like blood vessels, have and unobstructed flow of energy. Obstruction leads to conditions that are specific to the point and meridian that is blocked. Acupressure applied to these points releases the obstruction and restores the flow of energy through your body. Biochemicals called endorphins are believed to be released with the application of acupressure. Endorphins are naturally released by your body by exercise and, according to AcupressureOnline, by acupressure. This can help you relax and restores your body to a balanced state.
How Acupressure is Administered
Before you receive an acupressure treatment, it's important for the acupressure practitioner to administer a series of questions to determine the nature of your condition. With this information, the acupressure practitioner will then have you sit or lie down. Firm, deep pressure is applied to specific areas on your body, combined with massage. As an example, the acupressure point for jaw pain is located between your thumb and index finger. Gentle pressure is applied to a particular spot, massaged with upward strokes and held tightly but gently, to release obstruction in the meridian. Another group of pressure points is located in front of your ear and can be massaged using deep pressure in the indentation that occurs when you open your mouth. Pain is a normal reaction to pressure on acupressure points, but should subside as the treatment progresses. Acupressure treatment may last a single session or several sessions, depending on your condition and progress.
Research Regarding Acupressure and Bruxism
Although research regarding a direct association between relief of bruxism and acupressure treatment is limited, it appears that it may be an effective treatment for temporomandibular joint or TMJ pain. TMJ pain can be caused by a misalignment of the jawbone caused by bruxism, resulting in an inflammation of the joint. A 2010 research study published in the "Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy" found that individuals with TMJ who received intra-oral myofascial therapy including acupressure reported decreased pain. The participants also reported a reduction in pain-inducing clenching that is characteristic of bruxism.
Considerations
Massage techniques like acupressure are considered to be relatively safe, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you are seeking acupressure massage, always choose a licensed practitioner and get your doctor's approval for the treatment. If you are currently taking anticoagulant medication, have a bruising problem, skin condition or cellulitis, avoid acupressure which can make these conditions worse. Adjunctive treatments to acupressure for bruxism include prescription muscle relaxants, stress reduction counseling, biofeedback and psychotherapy.
References
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center: Acupressure
- MayoClinic.com: Bruxism/Teeth Grinding
- AcupressureOnline: How Acupressure Works
- Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy; Intra-oral Myofascial Therapy for Chronic Myogenous Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study; Allan Kalamir, et al.
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Massage
- AcupressureOnline: LI4 Point
- AcupressureOnline: Ear Points
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