Jaw-Pelvic Floor Connection by The Belly Whisperer

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)/ Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Association to Abdominopelvic Dysfunction: Numerous studies show that JAW PAIN and clenching (commonly called TMJ or TMD) can be associated with upper cervical dysfunction and headaches BUT... Is there a correlation between pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction and Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction? There is a correlation between chronic pain (especially chronic pelvic pain), stress, and/or anxiety with people suffering from TMJ! Why? Here the short answer: Inflammation due to a certain disease process can result in inflammation in many other parts of the body. Thus, inflammation in the TMJ can occur with lupus, interstitial cystitis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, irritable bowel disease, Crohn’s and Celiac Disease, complex regional pain syndrome, etc. So is there a link between the PF and TMJ? I think so! BUT I think there needs to be more research and studies in this specific area. Here is current evidence: 1. Facial tissue connections throughout the entire body. There are fascial lines and connections that run from the jaw down toward the pelvis! 2. There is a connection during embryologic development at around day fifteen. During gastrulation, two depressions form on the dorsal side of the embryo. One goes on to form the mouth and the other goes on to form the openings of the urinary, reproductive and digestive tracts. They remain connected by the spine. 3. There is also cranio sacral connection. We have a dural tube that is a sheath of connective tissue that protects the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid. If one end of the dura tube has increased tension due to restrictions it effects the other end (imagine a rope from skull to pelvis). Therefore, it is IMPORTANT to TREAT the entire body when working with patients! Physical therapists have to be detectives of the body and find the SOURCE of a patient’s problem! Your physical therapist should be assessing the ENTIRE BODY even if you only have symptoms in one area of the body! If you are suffering from something that seems untreatable or is undiagnosed by multiple medical professional, I urge you to keep searching for someone to HELP! LINK in BIO to my website to SCHEDULE an ONLINE appointment today! https://www.bellywhispereroc.com More info on Instagram: @the.belly.whisperer Let's talk tummy! -The Belly Whisperer