I Have TMJ, and This Tool Has Completely Melted Away All My Tension

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If there was an award for "Person Most Likely to be Stressed at All Times," it would go to me. My shoulders are perennially tense, there's never a day that goes by when I am not worried or anxious about something, and most frustratingly, my TMJ is always acting up.

I have been struggling with jaw issues since I was a teenager and have tried my best to soothe the discomfort in that facial region without getting masseter botox. Don't get me wrong, that is definitely an option I am considering as I near my 30s, but for now I sleep with a night guard; I limit myself from eating chewy and crunchy foods (think: bagels, pizzas, and chips); and I treat myself to facials/buccal massage at Face Gym every so often, which helps quite a bit but only temporarily. So what's a girl gotta do to alleviate the gnawing pain at home?

Over the years, I've done a lot of research and tested many tools for jaw pain, but nothing holds a candle to the Lanshin Massager by ACERA. This handheld massager is too good to gate-keep and has completely game-changed my at-home routine in not only my face, but on other tense points of my body and even the scalp.

Founded by Sandra Lanshin Chiu, a former financier who specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the nifty little tool is best described as a hand-held hot stone massage. Its silicone-covered body sort of looks like a mini octopus with prongs for kneading and features an interior vessel where hot water is poured into. The water then heats up the body, which is made of porcelain and glazed with crushed tourmaline, and uses special technology to deliver infrared heat energy capabilities.

When used in tandem with your favorite body oil, this massager does wonders for aches and pain. Wonders. And the way the prongs knead away all discomfort and boost circulation? I'd go as far as to say it rivals the handiwork of my favorite masseuse. I use it on my neck and shoulders too, and I have quickly learned this thing is truly a miracle worker. It's also handy for those who are sensitive to deep massages because you can customize how much pressure you want to use against your skin.

The key to getting the most out of the Lanshin is by choosing the right water temperature and filling the vessel 3/4 of the way. Do not, I repeat, do not pour in boiling water because the porcelain can and will burn your skin. If you do pour in boiling water, you'll have to let the tool sit out a bit until it feels comfortable against skin. I usually set my teapot to 150 to 160ish degrees and find that's the perfect sweet spot range for me. If you're not sure your ideal temperature, the best way to find out is by testing the porcelain on your hand or arm first.

I can go on and on, but I will leave you with this: If you are experiencing TMJ or any jaw discomfort, tense muscles, or body aches, do not sleep on the Lanshin massager. Trust me.

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