Restorative Buccal Facial Massage

A signature treatment blending Celluma LED, intraoral buccal massage, facial cupping, and gua sha

This unique session combines my background in TMJ massage therapy and facial lymphatic drainage with relaxing, restorative facial massage techniques. By working with the muscles, fascia, and soft tissues of the face, jaw, and neck—including buccal (intraoral) massage and lymphatic facial massage—I help release tension that contributes to jaw discomfort while promoting a refreshed, well-rested appearance. Rather than focusing solely on skincare, this treatment addresses the muscles beneath the surface that influence how your face feels and expresses itself.

Many clients book this session because they want both therapeutic relief and a relaxing facial experience. They often leave feeling lighter through the jaw and face, with less tension from clenching or stress and a greater sense of ease. Gentle lymphatic techniques may also help reduce temporary facial puffiness, while relaxed facial muscles often leave clients looking more rested, refreshed, and open. It's a wonderful standalone treatment or a maintenance session after completing more focused TMJ or headache therapy.

What is Buccal Massage?

Buccal massage (also called intraoral massage) is a specialized technique performed inside the mouth that allows me to reach facial muscles that simply cannot be accessed from the outside. As a licensed massage therapist, I use this technique to work with the muscles of facial expression (mimetic muscles) around the lips, cheeks, nose, and mouth, along with deeper jaw muscles that influence tension and movement.

While TMJ massage is primarily focused on the muscles influencing the jaw joint to reduce pain, improve jaw function, and treat muscular dysfunction, buccal massage has a different emphasis. It combines relaxation with detailed work on the muscles of facial expression, helping release habitual tension from clenching, stress, and repetitive facial expressions. Many clients enjoy how relaxed, refreshed, and naturally expressive their face feels afterward.

Steps and techniques I use in the 90-minute Restorative Buccal Facial Massage

Before Your Appointment

• Please arrive with clean, makeup-free skin (mascara is fine).

• If you have a beard or significant facial hair, this treatment won't allow full access to the facial muscles.

• I'll be working on your neck, scalp, face, and inside the mouth, so expect to leave with a little "massage hair." Feel free to bring a hat if you're heading out afterward.

What Results Can I Expect?

Many clients notice they feel lighter through the face and jaw after just one session. Gentle lymphatic techniques may also help reduce temporary facial puffiness, while releasing facial muscle tension often leaves clients looking more rested and refreshed.

If your goal is ongoing facial wellness or relaxation, regular maintenance sessions can help you continue enjoying those benefits.

Already a TMJ Client?

This session is different from my TMJ Pain Relief Massage. While both include work with the jaw, this treatment emphasizes the muscles of facial expression, lymphatic facial massage, relaxation, and overall facial well-being. It offers a gentler experience than my structural TMJ sessions while still addressing facial tension.

Celluma LED is included and can be customized using either relaxation or pain-relief settings based on your goals for the session.

Pregnancy

This session can be safely enjoyed during pregnancy. Many prenatal clients appreciate the relaxing facial massage and the temporary reduction in facial puffiness. While the Celluma LED is running, I can also incorporate gentle massage to the upper hips, side ribs, and low back to encourage comfort and easier breathing.

Contraindications for Celluma light therapy

• Photo-sensitive medications

• History of epilepsy or seizures

• Over pregnant belly

• Within 3 days of steroid injection at site

• Over any cancer or any known metastasis before getting clearance from doctor

• On children under 12

Contraindications for facelift massage

• If the face is swollen or inflamed

• 10-12 weeks after facial / jaw surgery

• Contagious diseases

• Botox or fillers if within 2 weeks

• Wait 2 weeks if you have had Retin-A, Renova, or Adapalene retinoid

• Eczema, psoriasis, herpes, lesions

• Sunburn, irritated skin or severe acne

• Skin cancer

The science behind Celluma LED light therapy

Light therapy works by emitting particles of light (photons) at specific wavelengths like red and near infrared light. See image below for the options my machine can emit.

In our cells, light energy is absorbed by photoacceptors in the mitochondria. (link about mitochondria & Celluma)

The resulting elevation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), or cellular energy, is used to power metabolic processes to repair or regenerate cell components and foster mitosis, cell proliferation, and restore homeostasis.

Scheduling

Current clients may schedule the “facelift massage & LED 90 minutes” as a normal booking.

New clients, please fill out my contact page letting me know you’d like the facelift massage service and if I’m accepting new clients I’ll quickly send you a booking link. Please check your subfolders or spam incase my response gets redirected.

Rates are $192 for the 90 minute service.