The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge connecting your jawbone to your skull. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) encompasses a range of conditions affecting this joint and surrounding muscles, causing pain, dysfunction, and significant quality-of-life impact. At MyoFitness, Serena specializes in TMJ assessment and treatment, providing comprehensive myofascial release and manual therapy for people suffering from TMD. This is specialist work—proper assessment and targeted treatment make profound differences in outcomes.
TMD symptoms range from jaw pain and clicking to headaches, ear pain, and neck tension. Many people try self-management or dental interventions without addressing the underlying muscular dysfunction. At MyoFitness, Serena’s specialized assessment identifies exactly which muscles are restricted, which trigger points are referring pain, and which movement patterns are perpetuating dysfunction. Evidence-based myofascial treatment then releases these restrictions and restores normal jaw function.
At MyoFitness, Serena understands that TMD is fundamentally a myofascial problem. The masseter, temporalis, pterygoid, and other jaw muscles become tight, restricted, and develop trigger points from stress, poor posture, and parafunctional habits. Releasing these muscular restrictions through targeted therapy resolves pain and restores function.
The TMJ is a complex joint involving the condyle of the mandible, the temporal bone, an articular disc, and multiple muscles controlling jaw movement. The primary muscles of mastication—masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid—control jaw opening, closing, and side-to-side movement. When these muscles become tight, develop trigger points, or lose coordination, TMD develops.
Research shows that psychological stress, poor posture, and parafunctional habits (teeth clenching, jaw tension) are primary drivers of TMD. At MyoFitness, Serena’s assessment identifies these contributing factors. Studies published in the Journal of Orofacial Pain demonstrate that myofascial therapy targeting jaw muscles significantly reduces pain and improves jaw function—often more effectively than other single-intervention approaches.
🔍 Serena at MyoFitness specializes in TMJ dysfunction assessment and myofascial release. She provides detailed palpation of jaw muscles, identifies trigger points, and delivers targeted soft tissue treatment addressing the root causes of TMD pain and dysfunction.
At MyoFitness, Serena specializes in TMJ dysfunction assessment and myofascial release treatment. If jaw pain, clicking, or dysfunction is limiting your quality of life, specialist care makes a profound difference. Three Melbourne clinics offering professional TMJ treatment.
Many people with TMD receive only dental or orthodontic care, or are told to “just relax.” Neither addresses the underlying myofascial restrictions. Muscle tension and trigger points don’t resolve without hands-on treatment. At MyoFitness, Serena’s specialized approach is different: she treats the muscles causing dysfunction directly.
Research demonstrates that myofascial trigger point treatment combined with jaw muscle release significantly improves TMD outcomes compared to other interventions alone. At MyoFitness, Serena combines soft tissue release with dry needling, addressing both muscle tension and trigger point referral patterns. This comprehensive approach resolves pain and restores function.
Serena begins with a detailed assessment of your jaw, including jaw opening range, movement patterns, muscle tension and areas of tenderness. This helps identify the factors contributing to your TMJ symptoms.
The assessment focuses on key jaw muscles, including the masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles. Serena checks for tightness and trigger points that may contribute to jaw pain or referred discomfort.
Treatment can include targeted soft tissue techniques to address tension in the muscles surrounding the jaw. The approach is tailored to your symptoms, jaw function and individual treatment needs.
Where appropriate, Serena may use dry needling as part of your TMJ treatment to target specific muscular trigger points and areas of persistent tension.
TMJ symptoms can be influenced by posture, movement patterns and everyday jaw habits. Serena works on these contributing factors and teaches jaw relaxation techniques to help reduce unnecessary tension.
Your treatment plan may include specific jaw stretches, relaxation techniques and tension-release exercises to continue your progress between appointments. Serena can guide you on how to perform these exercises safely and consistently.
Our Surrey Hills clinic on Canterbury Road is an easy trip for anyone in Box Hill and the surrounding suburbs, including:
MyoFitness also operates clinics in North Melbourne at 154 Peel Street and Surrey Hills at 296A Canterbury Road. All three clinics offer Watson Headache® Approach assessment and treatment for migraine.
Three well-established clinics across North Melbourne, Yarraville, and Surrey Hills, each delivering the same standard of clinical care.
A clinical team spanning remedial massage, myotherapy, physiotherapy, lymphatic drainage, and psychology under one roof.
Recognised for clinical outcomes, patient experience, and professional standards across the allied health industry.
Every session begins with a clinical assessment. Treatment is directed at the actual cause of your pain, not just the location where you feel it.
