Why TMJ therapy is gaining attention beyond jaw pain

When country music artist LeAnn Rimes broke down in tears during a viral “deep jaw release” therapy session, the reaction was immediate. For many viewers, it raised the question of how much stress we’re actually holding in our bodies without realizing it.

In the now widely shared video, the singer undergoes an intense intra-oral treatment known as TMJ therapy — or temporomandibular joint therapy — in which a practitioner works inside the mouth to release jaw tension. Moments later, she sobs, then laughs, describing a sudden sense of relief.

Some therapists believe releasing tight connective tissue in the jaw can shift the nervous system out of a stress response, which may explain the emotional reaction seen in Rimes’ video. And, while dramatic, it isn’t as unusual as it might seem.

“It doesn’t happen for everyone, every time,” says Amber Roberts, a massage therapist in Atlanta. “It seems like the body is ready to release these emotions that are kept in our musculature. People are genuinely surprised and shocked. They’re either like, ‘Why am I weeping right now,’ or they’re shuddering or have goose bumps, and no one’s ever expecting it.”

Hidden triggers of jaw pain

While stress and clenching are common triggers, Atlanta-area advocates and patients say TMJ issues can often come from physical or even emotional trauma.

Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth, headaches, earaches, difficulty chewing and ringing in the ears. Recognizing these signs can help people understand whether they might benefit from therapy.

Terah Kalk, owner of TT’s Trinkets in Atlanta, shared how a teenage sports injury led to years of worsening jaw pain before she found relief.

“I was hit directly in the chin with a lacrosse ball, and they told me I was fine,” Kalk said. “But over time, it got progressively worse, to the point where it was impacting my everyday life. Eating, talking, even singing in the car would leave me in excruciating pain.”

Her experience highlights a key reality specialists emphasize: TMJ dysfunction isn’t always straightforward. What begins as a minor injury can evolve into chronic pain involving muscles, cartilage and even bone.

As many TMJ patients do before finding a solution, Kalk spent years troubleshooting. She tried mouth guards, which worsened her symptoms; Botox injections with limited success and side effects; physical therapy; and intra-oral massage.

“The only thing that gave me relief for a while was massage,” she said. “They would literally work inside my mouth to release the muscles.”

Experts say this kind of step-by-step approach is common, where treatment often involves ruling out causes, testing therapies and adjusting care plans over time.

Stress storage zones

Health experts say the jaw is one of the body’s primary “stress storage” zones. Whether caused by stress, injury or structural issues, it is one of the most overworked and underrecognized pain centers.

In metro Atlanta, TMJ therapy is widely used, with some dentists, chiropractors and physical therapists also incorporating intra-oral massage into treatment.

According to the Center for TMJ & Sleep Therapy website, Dr. Manoj Maggan’s approach emphasizes multidisciplinary care involving specialists from ENTs to neurologists and oral surgeons. The site notes that while many TMJ symptoms may originate in the jaw joint, contributing factors can include posture, trauma, bite misalignment or other systemic issues.

That emphasis on underlying causes is echoed by Atlanta Center for TMJ’s Dr. Fred Abeles, who focuses on diagnosing jaw disorders tied to muscle tension, bite alignment and stress. He also developed MIRO Therapy, a bite device designed to treat chronic headaches and TMJ pain without injections, medication or surgery.

“Headaches and migraines many times are just treated with pills,” Abeles said on CBS Miami. “But if we don’t identify the underlying tissue that’s causing that pain and creating it, the pain is going to continue.”

Other local practices are integrating TMJ care into broader treatment plans. At Midtown Atlanta Dentistry, treatment often combines dental care with TMJ therapy to address grinding and joint dysfunction, while Georgia Spinal Health & Wellness incorporates intra-oral massage to release deep muscle tension and improve mobility.

Some providers are also using targeted therapies to calm overactive jaw muscles and ease strain on the joint.

“Botox tones down muscular contraction of the clenching muscle to reduce load on the joint as well. I recommend this often because as teeth move, people often have an uptick of clenching tendencies,” said Dr. Mariesa Moore with Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists.

Experts say that while viral “release” moments grab attention, real progress usually happens gradually through consistent, personalized care. Because, as Kalk’s story shows, jaw pain isn’t always just stress, and treating it often requires patience, persistence and the right diagnosis.