Buccal Massage: A Deeper Approach to Jaw Tension

If you carry tension in your jaw, cheeks, head or neck, you may have noticed how much of the face is involved in the simple act of clenching.

The jaw is a complex network of muscles, connective tissue and joints, all working together every time we chew, speak, swallow or express emotion. When we regularly clench our jaws - whether from stress, concentration, poor sleep or other factors - tension can build throughout this system and become difficult to shift. Buccal massage offers a unique approach by addressing not only the external muscles of the face, but also the tissues within the mouth.

Working inside the mouth, through the cheeks, allows a therapist to reach deeper structures that aren't easily accessed from the outside. This includes the buccinator muscle, which forms much of the muscular wall of the cheek, as well as the deeper muscles involved in moving the jaw. The masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles work together to control jaw movement and generate the force needed for chewing. When these muscles are repeatedly loaded through clenching or grinding, they can become tender and overactive, contributing to feelings of tightness, fatigue or restricted jaw movement.

Within the cheek is also the buccal fat pad - a specialised area of fatty tissue that sits between and around the facial muscles. Far from simply being facial fat, anatomical research shows that it fills deep tissue spaces, provides cushioning and acts as a gliding pad as the masticatory and facial muscles contract. [1,2] Its position within the cheek is another reason the intraoral approach can be useful when working with the surrounding muscles and soft tissues.

Because buccal massage reaches deeper structures that may not usually receive direct manual treatment, it can sometimes feel intense - particularly when areas are already holding a significant amount of tension. The treatment may also create a sensation of a deep stretch or release as the surrounding soft tissues are worked. However, intense doesn't have to mean uncomfortable - your therapist can work within your limits and combine deeper techniques with slower, soothing work to help the face, jaw and nervous system settle.

So, who might benefit from buccal massage?

Buccal massage can be particularly useful for people experiencing jaw tension, teeth clenching or grinding, temporomandibular (TMJ/TMD) symptoms, facial tension and headaches associated with muscular tension. Research into manual therapy for TMD has found improvements in pain, jaw opening and disability. [3,4]

Because the jaw, neck and head are closely connected through muscles and connective tissue, tension in one area can also contribute to discomfort elsewhere. Manual therapy targeting the neck has also been shown to improve pain and jaw function in people with TMD. [5] Buccal massage can be incorporated into a targeted neck, face and scalp treatment, or integrated into a longer remedial massage session for a more comprehensive approach to tension throughout the body.

It can also be a helpful treatment for people who notice that they hold tension in their face during periods of stress, fatigue or prolonged concentration.

If you regularly catch yourself clenching your teeth, waking with a tight or tired jaw, experiencing tension around your temples, or feeling like your face is constantly “switched on”, buccal massage may be worth exploring. Book in for a treatment and see what a little more space in your jaw can feel like!

References

Calixtre, L. B., Moreira, R. F. C., Franchini, G. H., Alburquerque-Sendín, F., & Oliveira, A. B. (2015). Manual therapy for the management of pain and limited range of motion in subjects with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 42(11), 847–861. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26059857/

Liberato, F. M. G., da Silva, T. V., Santuzzi, C. H., Fachini de Oliveira, N. F., & Nascimento, L. R. (2023). Manual therapy applied to the cervical joint reduces pain and improves jaw function in individuals with temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review on manual therapy for orofacial disorders. Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, 37(2), 101–111. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37389837/

Vieira, L. S., Pestana, P. R. M., Miranda, J. P., et al. (2023). The efficacy of manual therapy approaches on pain, maximum mouth opening and disability in temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Life, 13(2), 292. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36836649/

Yousuf, S., Tubbs, R. S., Wartmann, C. T., et al. (2010). A review of the gross anatomy, functions, pathology, and clinical uses of the buccal fat pad. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 32(5), 427–436. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19937328/

Zhang, H.-M., Yan, Y.-P., Qi, K.-M., Wang, J.-Q., & Liu, Z.-F. (2002). Anatomical structure of the buccal fat pad and its clinical adaptations. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 109(7), 2509–2518. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12045584/