Anaya Nolan
Intraoral massage is a common treatment for TMJ disorders, which cause jaw pain and can lead to headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain. The treatment involves the therapist inserting a hooked finger into the patient's mouth to palpate their jaw muscles and facial bones. In Virginia, massage therapists must be licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing and complete 500 hours of training, as well as meeting other requirements such as being over 18 years old and passing a criminal background check.
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What You'll Learn
Virginia massage therapist qualifications
To become a massage therapist in Virginia, applicants must satisfy several requirements and obtain a license. The Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON) is responsible for issuing massage therapist licenses in the state. Applicants must apply for a license online through the VBON and submit an array of documentation.
Firstly, applicants must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character. They must also complete a criminal background check and submit the results with their application. In addition, applicants must have completed a course of study in massage of at least 500 hours from a recognized school. The school must mail the applicant's official transcript directly to the VBON. If the applicant was educated in a foreign country, they must also pass a Board-approved English language proficiency examination and have their education evaluated to ensure it meets VBON's educational requirements.
After completing their course, graduates must take and pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) issued by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). Official exam results must be sent directly from the FSMTB to the VBON.
Once a candidate has submitted a completed application for licensure, they may provisionally practice massage therapy in Virginia for up to 90 days with written authorization from the Board. However, they cannot use the title "massage therapist" or "licensed massage therapist" during this time. The fee for application and initial licensure is $140.
Massage therapists in Virginia must renew their licenses every two years. During each two-year cycle, they must either complete 24 hours of continuing education or 12 hours of continuing education and 12 hours of teaching.
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Licensing requirements
To obtain a massage therapy license in Virginia, applicants must meet several requirements and adhere to specific regulations. Here are the licensing requirements for massage therapists in Virginia:
Education and Training:
Prospective massage therapists in Virginia must complete a minimum of 500 hours of instruction from a recognized massage therapy school. This educational program should include both theoretical classroom learning and practical hands-on experience. The training must cover the theory, method, profession, and practice of massage therapy.
Age Requirement:
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to qualify for a massage therapy license in Virginia.
Background Check:
A background check, including fingerprinting for a national criminal history, is mandatory for all applicants. This ensures the safety and trustworthiness of licensed massage therapists. Applicants with a criminal history are advised to provide complete documentation, and a criminal record does not necessarily preclude certification.
Examination:
To obtain a license, applicants must pass a standardized examination. Massage therapists in Virginia are required to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). Additionally, the state requires an examination for initial licensure, known as the Licensing Examination of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
Application and Fee:
The application process involves submitting the completed application form, along with a non-refundable application fee. The fee for application and initial licensure is $140. Once an application is submitted, candidates may provisionally practice massage therapy in Virginia for up to 90 days with written authorization from the Board, but they cannot use the title of "massage therapist" or "licensed massage therapist" during this provisional period.
License Renewal:
Licenses must be renewed every two years by the end of the licensee's birth month. The renewal fee is $95, and late renewals incur an additional fee of $30. Continuing education requirements for renewal include completing 24 CEU credit hours, with specific guidelines provided by the state.
Endorsement and Out-of-State Licensure:
Virginia allows endorsement for individuals who are or have been licensed in another U.S. state or territory. If their credential has lapsed, they must be eligible for reinstatement. Massage therapists licensed in other countries can be certified by examination if they meet equivalent educational requirements.
Additional Regulations:
Virginia has specific regulations for massage therapy establishments. Massage therapists must work in approved establishments and cannot maintain their living quarters on the licensed premises. Each place of business requires a separate license, which must be displayed prominently. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the premises, and massages must not be given in rooms with locking doors.
These licensing requirements ensure that massage therapists in Virginia adhere to comprehensive standards, promoting safe and professional practice.
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Massage therapy establishments
- Submission of an application form, including name, address, date of birth, criminal record, and other information required by the Chief of Police. The applicant must be 18 years of age or older and of good moral character.
- Successful completion of a course of study in massage of at least 500 hours from a recognized school, with submission of a diploma, certificate, or other proof of educational attainment.
- A separate license is required for each place of business, with an annual license fee of $50. The license must be displayed prominently on the premises and is valid for one year.
- The establishment must pass fire and health inspections, and the City Clerk must not have reasonable grounds to believe that granting the license would violate the law or that the application contains false or misleading statements.
In addition, massage therapy establishments in Virginia must adhere to specific regulations regarding their employees and operations:
- Only employees who are licensed massage therapists can perform massages in the establishment.
- Massage therapists cannot be required to pay any fees or rent for the right to perform massages in the establishment as a condition of employment.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be kept, sold, dispensed, or consumed on the premises.
- Massages must not be performed in any enclosed space with a locking door.
- Massage therapists cannot maintain their living quarters on the same premises as the massage establishment, unless the massage therapy is practiced as a home occupation.
- The licensee or manager of the establishment is responsible for supervising business operations and ensuring that no acts of prostitution, sexual misconduct, or other violations occur on the licensed premises.
These regulations outline the requirements and standards that massage therapy establishments in Virginia must adhere to, ensuring the safety and professionalism of the industry.
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Intraoral massage procedure
While there are many ways to treat jaw pain, intraoral massage is a commonly requested type of TMJ treatment. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull and sits in front of the ears. This joint enables the movement of the jaw by opening and closing the mouth, as well as a gliding motion back and forth and side to side.
The procedure starts with an assessment of your jaw. The therapist will ask about teeth grinding, jaw injuries, and observe your jaw movement to determine the cause of dysfunction, the degree of impact on mobility, and the actions triggering the pain. The therapist will wear gloves to ensure sanitation and avoid infection.
During the massage, the therapist will insert a hooked finger into the inside of your cheek to palpate your jaw muscles and facial bones. They will apply gentle and slow pressure, as the muscles inside the mouth are rarely touched and may be tender. The massage will focus on releasing the muscles and fascia involved with chewing and jaw clenching. The therapist may then move on to massaging your gums and the roof of your mouth, increasing blood circulation in your gum tissue.
After the intraoral work, the therapist will treat other areas affected by jaw pain, such as the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles. These areas may be treated with myofascial release, trigger point therapy, assisted stretching, deep tissue techniques, or a combination of these methods. The whole treatment typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
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TMJ treatment options
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joints that enable the movement of the jaw, allowing us to chew, speak, and swallow. TMJ disorders, or TMD, are characterised by craniofacial pain involving the joint, masticatory muscles, or muscle innervations of the head and neck. TMD can include dysfunction of the joint itself or the associated ligaments, muscles, and bones. The symptoms can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain and can also include limitations of jaw function, dizziness, and popping sounds when opening the mouth or chewing.
There are a variety of treatment options available for TMJ disorders, and research on this topic is still emerging. The National Institutes of Health brochure on TMJ recommends using conservative and reversible treatments that do not involve surgery or cause permanent changes to the jaw or teeth. Some of the treatment options include:
- Self-management techniques such as avoiding gum, biting nails, and opting for soft foods instead of difficult-to-chew foods.
- Avoiding large jaw movements like yelling or loud singing and practising proper posture, especially when seated at a computer.
- Performing exercises recommended by dental or medical professionals to strengthen or relax the jaw.
- Jaw rest, a soft diet, moist warm compresses, and passive stretching exercises.
- Physical therapy, including specialised options such as ultrasound, iontophoresis, electrotherapy, or low-level laser therapy.
- Radio wave therapy, trigger-point injections, or electrical currents.
One of the more commonly requested types of TMJ treatment is intraoral massage. This type of massage involves the therapist touching the patient's face and mouth to palpate the jaw muscles and facial bones. After massaging the areas surrounding the TMJ, the therapist may move on to the gums and roof of the mouth, increasing blood circulation in the gum tissue. Intraoral massage can be intense, even with slow and gentle pressure, due to the sensitivity of the muscles in this region.
In addition to these conservative approaches, more aggressive treatments include occlusal adjustments, intraoral appliances, and surgery. However, it is important to note that evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of TMJs do not currently exist, and patients may experience varying outcomes with different treatments.
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