You might think that jaw problems only affect the jaw but the more you know the more you see that this is just not the case. The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint connecting your lower jaw to your skull. There are two joints, on either side of your head just in front of your ears. These joints allow your jaw move up and down as we chew bite and speak but also from side to side.

 

What we find here at Possum Hollow is that there is more to your jaw than meets the eye. Some people may only look into jaw problems if there is obvious signs of jaw dysfunction like popping sounds or jaw pain. However there are other symptoms that can be helped with integration of your jaw.

As we look deeper into the jaw joints (TMJ’s) we also discover that they do not operate in isolation but belong to one of the body’s main structural regulating systems known as the Stomatognathic System. Stomato = of the face & mouth and Gnathic = to gnaw, chew and bite.

 

Although Stomatognathic System is involved in the functions of chewing, biting, swallowing and even speech at the level of the jaw joints (TMJ’s ) its influence extends right throughout the body via the muscular and nervous systems because it has mechanical connections between the cranium and pelvis via the spinal column and indeed spinal cord.

 

• Injury
• Weakened jaw disc
• Lack of exercise
• Stress and Anxiety
• Clenching ( this is know as Bruxism which comes from the Greek word “Brygmos” meaning grind or gnash the opposing row of upper and lower molar teeth)
• Chewing gum
• Caffeine
• Nutritional deficiencies including low magnesium Drugs – eg. Ecstasy
• Poor posture (forward head posture), wear and tear of osteoarthritis or the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ 

 

It can be more common in women aged between 30-50 but I have seen it even in children and in some males. One interesting connection I have seen also is that when the jaw is not aligned there can be an effect with the neck, diagraphm and sacrum. Within the skull, the occiput drives the temporal bone and the temporal bone influences the jaw.  Therefore restrictions, and imbalances, especially in the back and sides of the head can create uneven positions of the lower jaw and contribute to TMJ problems.  However restrictions through the occiput and temporals can be influenced by postural imbalances from below (such as pelvic/sacral imbalance and tilts/rotations through the trunk and related soft tissues, many of which then run up to attach to the base and sides of the skull) extending the chain of cause and effect to many other areas of the body.  Does the problem come from the jaw or from even the lower spine.  

 

There also can be an effect on breathing so the client is more inclined to mouth breath especially at night. This can effect oxygen levels, adrenals and ultimately and metabolism (energy loss and weight gain)

If you have  concerns about your jaw and would like to have it assessed  and properly evaluated make and appointment with a  Possum Hollow practitioner to do so.  In fact the TMJ’s are so important to your health that a routine check every few months is an excellent idea. I asked a few of our practitioners to share their approach to jaw conditions:

 

Neurostructrual Integration (NST)

NST balances the TMJ's using a whole body response that also targets the sacrum and spinal column as both these structures belong to the same system that the TMJ's do. (Stomatognathic System)

Using a step by step systematic approach NST cleverly strips away the underlying muscular, nervous and fascial restrictions that cause TMD and provides the body with a deep re-set that not only alleviates the symptoms of TMD but provides sustainability of corrections setting the patient on the road to good health once again. We have three practitioners of NST here - Tricia Mold, Devikirin (Mel Sproule Carroll) and Melissa Morrish.