Buccal Massage Courses – Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder Information

Looking for a Buccal Massage Course? Here's What You Need to Know.

Interest in Buccal massage is growing in popularity, and we do receive enquiries each month asking if Gateway Workshops offers this course.

The short answer?
No, we don’t.

We offer a safer alternative, an accredited insurable TMJ course which has massive benefits for your clients, which our students love.

Gateway Workshops is rated 5 out of 5 stars on Google, Trustpilot, Facebook and others, by thousands of students across the UK & Northern Ireland.

Here’s what they’re saying about our TMJ alternative course option …

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Fanatastic tutor, this is the first time using Gateway and I was very impressed. This TMJ with Cupping and Wood facial course was incredible! The tutor was so professional and explained everything step by step. I feel confident offering this to my clients now. I’ve been in beauty therapy for 15 years and this was one of the best facial training days I’ve done. Really impressed with the content and the hands-on practice. I want to book the Gua Sha Facial course next!”

As well as teaching hundreds of experienced Massage & Beauty therapists and complete beginners weekly, we also are trusted by many Award- Winning Leading Hotels and Spas.

Clients include: Champney’s, Gleneagles and Cliveden Hotel (5 Star Hotel and Spas) Dior, Bobbi Brown, major film companies, and the makeup team for Hollyoaks on Channel 4 and the NHS.

And if you're a professional therapist or new to the industry, you’ll want to understand why we offer an alternative TMJ course.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

- Why we’ve chosen not to teach Buccal Massage
- The risks and contraindications every therapist should know
- Why many insurers now consider it high-risk
- A safer, insurable alternative that still treats jaw tension, TMJ, and facial tightness
- What we teach instead and why it’s the better choice

Many students are unsure where to begin when searching for Buccal Massage training. With conflicting advice online and unregulated providers offering vague promises, it’s more important than ever to understand what’s actually safe, insurable, and recognised by industry bodies.

We also believe that skilled Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Dentists, who often are trained in Buccal massage, have had a wider training for this therapy and benefit from their training in other areas to deliver it well.

This page was created to give you clarity before you commit to a course that could put your career at risk.

To view the TMJ Cupping course and start learning a safe, insurable method today: We have included a link to our alternative course, which gives similar results (if not better than Buccal Massage) without any of the health concerns.

When you book with us, you will be safe in the knowledge that you will be training in one of our top-rated, top-selling courses, as recommended by our students. The link for this course can be found at the bottom of this page.

Why We Don’t Offer Buccal Massage Training

These are the reasons why we do not offer Buccal Massage Training

At Gateway Workshops, our reputation is built on:

- Accredited training
- Safe, insurable techniques
- And most importantly, protecting our students

Buccal massage involves working inside the client’s mouth to access muscles related to the jaw, facial tension, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). While it can provide some benefits, it’s also:

- Clinically invasive
- Risk-prone
- Legally complicated
- And not accepted by many UK insurance providers

We’ve seen countless examples of therapists investing in short Buccal Massage courses that fail to cover the risks properly. In many cases, therapists walk away with a certificate that sounds impressive but lacks real-world value, and worse, isn’t accepted by insurers.

Our goal is to protect your reputation long-term, not just sell you a trendy course that feels good on paper.

The Potential Risks of Buccal Massage

Intraoral Work Requires Medical-Level Hygiene

Buccal massage requires gloved fingers in the client’s mouth. This means:
- Cross-contamination risks
- Extra hygiene protocols (far beyond typical massage)
- A much higher chance of infection

Many UK Insurers Will Not Cover It

Therapists have reported:
- Claims being rejected
- Insurers refusing to renew cover
- Needing to take out expensive specialist insurance separately

Even if a course is accredited, you may still not be covered.

It’s a Claim Waiting to Happen

- Clients may experience soreness, swelling or nerve discomfort
- You’re working in a high-risk area (inside the mouth)
- One wrong move could lead to a complaint, or worse, legal action

We won’t put our students in that position.

In addition to the hygiene and insurance risks, there’s also the issue of client consent and expectations.

Many clients are not comfortable with intraoral techniques, especially if they aren’t clearly informed beforehand. This opens therapists up to complaints, misunderstandings, and reputational damage, even when the treatment is performed correctly.

A Safer Alternative

What We Offer Instead: A Safer Alternative

We offer a safer, accredited, insurable alternative that still helps clients with:

- Jaw tension
- Teeth grinding
- Facial tightness
- TMJ dysfunction

It’s our TMJ Cupping Facial Massage Course, and it gets real results without the risks.

By focusing on a safe, external technique like TMJ cupping, you avoid the regulatory grey areas and protect both yourself and your clients. It also opens up your services to a wider audience, many clients will actively seek out therapists who specialise in jaw tension relief without wanting invasive treatments. This approach meets that demand with zero compromise on safety.

Course Overview

About the TMJ Cupping Course

You’ll learn how to:

- Apply facial cupping tools to relieve jaw tension
- Promote lymphatic drainage in the face and jaw
- Relax muscle tightness around the TMJ
- Integrate cupping into facials or massage treatments
- Work confidently with full insurance cover

Who This Course is Perfect For:

- Facial massage therapists
- Holistic and beauty practitioners
- Beginners looking to expand their skills
- Anyone looking to offer a safe, accredited TMJ treatment

You don’t need prior cupping experience; everything is taught step by step.

This training also covers professional consultation protocols, contraindications, and practical aftercare, so you know exactly how to treat clients safely and effectively.

The techniques can be used as a standalone treatment or added to existing facials or massage sessions, giving you flexibility to expand your treatment menu and increase your income potential.

Accreditation & Insurance Info

Accredited. Insurable. Approved.

Unlike Buccal massage training, our TMJ Cupping Course is:

✅ Fully accredited
✅ Professionally insurable in the UK & Ireland
✅ Open to beginners
✅ This course is insurable, accredited or approved by the professional bodies ThinkTree, CTHA, ABT - Associated Beauty Therapists, WMA - World Metaphysical Association, The Accreditation Council of Holistic Healers (ACHH).

For Existing FHT MembersIf you are already an FHT member, this course will be recognised by them.

This is a professionally recognised one day course, allowing you to gain insurance, offer it to your clients and charge, and work in spas, hotels, salons or mobile.

Trusted, Recognised & Insurable Courses on Government/Councils Approved Accredited list.

We handle the checks, so you can focus on your training and career.

We’ve worked closely with our insurance partners to ensure that every part of this course meets the required standards. When you finish the training, you’ll receive a certificate that’s not just decorative, it’s fully valid for insurance cover across the UK and Ireland, giving you peace of mind as you begin offering TMJ cupping to clients.

Why This Matters

Why This Matters for You as a Therapist

Choosing the wrong course could cost you:

- Your insurance
- Your professional reputation
- And worst of all, your clients’ trust

We created this course as a trusted, proven solution for therapists who want results, without risk.

Clients today are more informed than ever. They want to know their therapist is trained in evidence-based, safe techniques, and they’ll often ask where you trained.

That’s why choosing an accredited course from a reputable provider like Gateway Workshops isn’t just smart, it’s essential for building long-term trust with your client base.

Quick Comparison: Buccal Massage vs. TMJ Cupping

👉 On mobile? Scroll right to see the full table

While Buccal Massage might look more advanced on the surface, it doesn’t automatically mean better results. In many cases, clients report greater comfort and visible relief from external cupping techniques when used properly. The key is understanding which methods are truly safe, accessible, and effective, and that’s exactly what this course delivers.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still call myself a TMJ specialist if I don’t do Buccal massage?
Yes. Most clients prefer external treatments. Our course gives you the tools to address jaw tension effectively.

Q: Will my insurer cover this course?
Yes. The course is approved by major UK and Irish insurers.

Q: Is this beginner-friendly?
Yes. You’ll be guided step-by-step, even if you’re new to cupping or facial work.

Q: Do I need prior cupping experience?
No. Everything you need is included in the training.

Many therapists come to us after realising their previous training didn’t give them what they needed, whether that’s insurance approval, hands-on guidance, or confidence working with real clients. This course is designed to fill those gaps. We focus on practical, insurable skills that work in the real world, not just what looks good in a brochure.

Trust & Credibility

Trusted by 80,000+ Students

Gateway Workshops has trained over 80,000 students across the UK and Ireland. Our reputation is built on:

- Expert tutors, Clear, practical training
- Aftercare and support
- Accreditation and insurance compatibility

We’re one of the UK’s most trusted providers for professional therapists.

Our students consistently report that our support doesn’t end when the course finishes. We provide ongoing guidance, updates, and resources to help you stay confident and compliant as you grow your career.

That’s why thousands of professionals across the UK continue to choose Gateway Workshops year after year.

Ready to Train Smarter, Not Riskier?

If you’ve been unsure about how to support clients with jaw pain or facial tension, or if you’ve been hesitating to train in Buccal Massage because of the risks, this is your answer. Our TMJ Cupping Course lets you offer real, visible results without stepping outside your insurance coverage or clinical skill set.

If you’ve already taken a Buccal Massage course elsewhere, we strongly recommend checking the terms of your current insurance policy. Many therapists are surprised to find they are no longer covered. If you’re not sure, speak to your insurer directly, or reach out to us and we can point you in the right direction.

Choosing the right training now means fewer problems later. We’ve built this course and this page to help you make an informed, confident decision, and we’re here if you need support at any point along the way.

Click below to view the TMJ Cupping course and start learning a safe, insurable method today:

Trusted by 80,000+ students across the UK.

Gateway Workshops provides accredited, insurable training with expert support at every step of your professional journey.