Buccal vs Intra Oral Massage
- Carolyn Khoo
- 27 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Buccal vs Intra Oral Massage: What is the difference and which do you need
If you have been researching facial rejuvenation or jaw pain relief in London, you may be comparing buccal vs intra oral massage in London and wondering which one is actually right for you. Buccal massage and intra oral massage.
At Khoo Massage Therapies, this is one of the most common questions I get.
Are they the same thing?
The honest answer is yes and no.
Both techniques involve working inside the mouth using gloves. But their purpose, outcomes, and who they are best suited for are quite different. Understanding that difference matters, especially if you are dealing with pain rather than simply wanting your face to look fresher.
Below is a clear breakdown so you can choose what your body actually needs, not just what is trending on social media.
What is intra oral massage
The goal: Functional relief
Intra oral massage is a clinical, evidence informed technique used to treat the muscles responsible for chewing and jaw stability. These are known as the muscles of mastication.
It is most often used in the management of TMJ related pain, jaw restriction, headaches, and facial tension that does not respond well to external massage alone.
Research consistently shows that muscle related pain is the most common presentation of temporomandibular disorders.
Large epidemiological studies use standardised diagnostic frameworks to classify TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction). These include the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD and the updated Diagnostic Criteria for TMD, both internationally accepted systems used in research and clinical settings to distinguish muscle related pain from joint and disc disorders.
When these criteria are applied, myofascial muscle pain is identified as the dominant subtype of TMD. Across populations, studies report that approximately 50% to over 70% of people diagnosed with TMD present primarily with muscle driven pain rather than structural joint pathology. Ohrbach et al found that myofascial muscle pain is the dominant subtype of TMD in clinical populations.(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2010.07.009)
How it works
Intra oral work allows direct access to muscles that cannot be reached externally, particularly the lateral and medial pterygoids. These muscles play a major role in jaw opening, closing, and side to side movement. When they are overactive or shortened, symptoms such as jaw locking, clicking, ear pain, and temple headaches often follow.
Manual release of these muscles has been shown to reduce pain and improve jaw range of motion when combined with consistent treatment. A systematic review published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation reported that manual therapy targeting masticatory muscles can significantly reduce pain intensity and improve function in people with TMD. (https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12993)
Best for
Teeth grinding or clenching
Jaw locking or reduced opening
Clicking or popping with pain
Chronic tension headaches
Singers, actors, and voice professionals with jaw restriction
What is buccal massage
The goal: Sculpting and deep release
Buccal massage takes its name from the Latin word bucca meaning cheek. It is often described as a natural facelift, although that term can be misleading if it is taken too literally.
While buccal massage does reduce muscular tension, the emphasis is usually on circulation, lymphatic flow, and soft tissue mobility rather than clinical pain management.
How it works
Buccal massage involves working the cheek muscles from both the inside and the outside at the same time. This dual approach encourages lymphatic drainage, reduces facial fluid retention, and improves tissue glide.
Studies on facial massage and lymphatic drainage show measurable reductions in facial puffiness and short term improvements in skin appearance, largely due to improved circulation rather than structural change. A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reported improved facial contour appearance and reduced oedema following manual facial massage techniques. (https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13877)
Best for
Facial puffiness or fluid retentionDA
Jawline and cheek contour definition
Stress held in the face
Pre event facial preparation
Clients wanting relaxation with visible short term results
Comparison at a glance
Feature | Intra Oral Massage | Buccal Massage |
Primary focus | Jaw function and pain relief | Facial sculpting and tension release |
Common concerns | TMJ pain, grinding, headaches | Puffiness, facial tension, stress |
Technique | Targeted clinical muscle work | Rhythmic sculpting and drainage |
How it feels | Specific and therapeutic | Relaxing and rejuvenating |
Typical outcome | Improved jaw mobility and pain reduction | Lifted appearance and reduced puffiness |
Which one should you book
Choose intra oral massage if:
You wake up with a stiff or painful jaw. Your teeth feel sore from grinding.
You experience headaches that start around the temples or ears.
You use your voice professionally and feel restricted jaw movement.
If pain or function is the main issue, this is the technique that addresses the root cause rather than just the surface.
Choose buccal massage if
You have an event coming up.
Your face looks puffy or tired.
You hold stress in your jaw and cheeks but do not have significant pain.
You want a visible refresh without invasive treatments.
The Khoo Massage Therapies approach
In practice, the divide is not always so clean.
At my Hackney studio, I often combine intra oral and buccal techniques when appropriate. A jaw that functions better usually looks better too. Reducing muscle overactivity can soften facial tension and change how the face rests at baseline.
Sessions are adapted in real time based on your symptoms, history, and tolerance. This is not a one size fits all treatment.
If you are dealing with TMJ pain, facial tension, or both, the goal is always the same. Restore balance. Reduce overload. Help the system calm down.
Ready to experience the difference
If you are looking for a TMJ specialist in London or buccal massage in Hackney, you are in the right place. Book a session or get in touch if you are unsure which approach suits you best.
Your face will usually tell us what it needs.
References
Ohrbach R, Dworkin S F. The evolution of TMD diagnosis past, present, future. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2010. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2010.07.009
La Touche R, Fernández Pérez J J, Proy Acosta A, et al. Manual therapy and exercise in temporomandibular disorders. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2020. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12993
Kobayashi Y, Tagami H, Tsukahara K. Effects of facial massage on facial morphology and skin characteristics. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13877
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