Pronounced 'buckle', it basically means 'cheek'. In a massage context, it means we're accessing the deeper muscles of the face from inside the mouth. This allows for more thorough release of tension and more targeted therapy.

The intra-oral portion may feel unusual at first, especially if it's your first time. You’ll feel gentle but targeted pressure on the inside of your cheeks and along your jawline, following specific muscle groups. Some areas might feel tender if you hold a lot of tension (which is very common), but many clients say it feels surprisingly relieving, like a deep stretch for your face. It’s not painful - I hear some version of 'weird but good!' a lot.

We'll set up hand signals in case you want me to stop at any point (so it's easier to communicate while my hand is in your mouth!). As always, you can stop or change the treatment at any time if it's not feeling right.

Not at all. While it’s known for visibly sculpting the cheekbones and jawline, the benefits go beyond appearance. Buccal massage is especially effective for reducing muscle tension, improving circulation, and supporting lymphatic drainage. It can help with jaw pain, teeth grinding, puffiness, and even emotional release - many people store stress in their faces without realizing it.

Other surprising benefits of buccal massage include pelvic health (your jaw shares a tissue sheath with you pelvis, and tension in one place can cause tension in the other); vocal resonance for singers; immune support via the lymhatic organs in your face (tonsils!); and brain health.

Yes yes yes. Provided you don't have any of the contraindications (things that prevent you from making it safe, listed further down in these FAQs), this treatment is gentle and always hygienic. The intra-oral portion is done using medical-grade gloves, and my hands will NEVER touch your face after they've been inside your mouth.

There’s typically no downtime. Some clients experience mild tenderness in the jaw or cheek area afterward, similar to the feeling after a deep tissue massage. A flushed or lifted look is common right after the session. Occasionally, clients feel a bit emotional or tired—this is a normal part of releasing tension and held patterns in the face. If one of your treatment goals was to look lifted, the extra stimulatory work may cause some short-term fluid retention in the face that should resolve overnight.

Please arrive with a clean face (ideally no makeup, as it will get disrupted), remove your jewelry, and have your intake form completed with accurate information. Please be prepared to have some oil in your hair - if you really want to avoid that please let me know (I'll ask you too, in case you forget). I'll do what I can to prevent it, but you may still have a bit in your hairline.

You may notice results after just one session - especially in terms of softness, facial symmetry, or tension relief. However, like any bodywork, cumulative sessions offer deeper and more lasting benefits. I recommend 2 treatments/month for the first 2-3 months, followed by treatments every 4-6 weeks for maintenance.

Please note visible results are not guaranteed - while this is typically the effect of this treatment, some folks don’t notice changes - others find it takes a day or so. The main goal of this treatment is always tissue, muscular, lymphatic, and nervous system health.

Yes, as long as you have been cleared for treatment by your care team. We'll talk about it beforehand so I know how to modify the treatment for your comfort and safety, and best results. Please reach out anytime to share details (confidentially) at hello@goodhabitldn.com

It is! However, positioning becomes an issue after the first trimester, since your growing belly will prevent you from being on your back. As soon as you are directed by your care team to avoid sleeping on your back, we can no longer proceed. At that point I can't get the full access to your face that I need to give you the best value and results.

Botox: Please wait 2 weeks before getting treatment. After that, this massage is highly recommended to support circulation and integration.

Dermal Fillers: Wait at least 1 month. During treatment, stimulating techniques will be modified to respect filler placement.

PDO Threads: Wait 6 months—stimulating massage techniques will be omitted entirely.

Microneedling: Wait 10 days to allow the skin barrier to fully recover.

Laser Treatments: Wait at least 2 weeks, or longer if advised by your provider.

If you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out; I'm happy to help you time your treatments safely and effectively.

I can't offer you this treatment if you have -

recent face or dental surgery

gum disease

skin irritations

acne that is active and severe

rosacea

active infection

conditions that prevent you from lying on your back (eg, later term pregnancy)

face injections within the following time frames -

Botox: Please wait 2 weeks before getting treatment. After that, this massage is highly recommended to support circulation and integration.

Dermal Fillers: Wait at least 1 month. During treatment, stimulating techniques will be modified to respect filler placement.

PDO Threads: Wait 6 months—stimulating massage techniques will be omitted entirely.

Microneedling: Wait 10 days to allow the skin barrier to fully recover.

Laser Treatments: Wait at least 2 weeks, or longer if advised by your provider.