The Surprising Connection Between Pelvic Health & Jaw Tension

I have my osteopathic practitioner to thank for teaching me many years ago about the surprising interconnection between jaw and pelvic health. 

When trying to resolve concerns in the pelvis, an osteopath will often treat the jaw (or vice versa) because they know that the jaw and pelvis are physiologically connected.  The alignment and level of relaxation experienced in each area can profoundly affect the other. 

For the many patients I have shared this concept with, it has been a real “aha” moment that has shifted their body awareness forever by urging them to ease up any tension they hold unconsciously in these two major regions of their body.

Once I learned how interconnected the jaw and pelvis are, I started asking every patient with pelvic or abdominal concerns about their jaw health.  I was startled to find out that an overwhelming 90% of my female patients reported jaw grinding, clenching or TMJ/TMD-type concerns or needed to wear a dental night guard.  This clinical observation confirmed a link between the jaw and the pelvis in my practice, which is more common than you’d think.

As a naturopathic doctor and Arvigo® therapist who regularly teaches my patients an external Arvigo® self-abdominal and pelvic massage technique to decongest and align the pelvis, I now always remind my patients to begin by releasing their jaw and removing their tongue from the roof of their mouth.

Because I can experience jaw tension myself, I have explored more insights about the fascinating connection between the jaw and the pelvis and discovered helpful strategies for reducing jaw tension.

Understanding how the jaw and pelvis are connected

Early embryo connection: The genesis of the jaw and pelvic connection starts at the embryological phase. At about day 15, in a phase called gastrulation, two depressions form on an embryo. One becomes the oropharyngeal membrane that eventually forms the mouth, and the other is the cloacal membrane that eventually forms the openings of the urinary, reproductive, and digestive tracts. They remain connected even as the spine develops and grows, creating a greater space between them.

Fascial tissue link: The thin sheath of fascial tissue that envelopes and holds our inner body together and keeps us aligned includes a fascial line from the pelvis to the jaw. Osteopaths are experts in adjusting and realigning fascial tissue, which is why they have always known about the connection between the jaw and pelvis.

Hint from midwives and doulas: When helping women give birth, midwives and doulas often encourage women to sigh and relax their throat and jaw to help release pelvic tension and allow for easier labour. Natural childbirth expert Ina May Gaskin even coined the term “sphincter law” to explain that if the jaw and throat are relaxed, the buttocks and pelvis will be too.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): TCM connects the jaw and the pelvis through the meridian or energy channel of the gallbladder. Therefore, when treating concerns in either region, it is common to massage and use acupressure or acupuncture on specific points along the gallbladder meridian.

Research studies: Studies by dentists and physiotherapists are exploring the connection between the jaw and pelvis. Notably, a 2009 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics from Hanover Medical School in Germany concluded that temporomandibular joint dysfunction plays an important role in the restriction of hip motion experienced by patients with complex regional pain syndrome, indicating a connection between these two regions of the body.

Anatomically similar shapes: If you visualize the structure of the pelvic ‘bowl’ topped with hips on either side that move with reproductive and urological openings at the base and then visualize the jaw, it is quite similar in structure to your jaw joints at the top and the large opening of the mouth at the base.

Tell-tale stress reaction: When your body undergoes shock, stress, trauma or strong emotions such as anger, it is a very normal physiologic reaction to clench your buttocks, tighten your vagina and clench your jaw. However, learning to release that subconscious tension once the crisis has passed is what most of us need to focus on learning.

“Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.” -Joan Lunden.

 

Strategies to Help Release Jaw Tension, Especially if Connected to Pelvic Tension

1. Jaw relaxation visualizations and meditations: I was amazed when I Googled “jaw relaxation meditations” to see how many resources are available to guide you on brief contemplative exercises to unlearn the tension you may be holding in your mouth or jaw. Keeping a jaw tension diary is also key since we are all creatures of habit, and you may hold your jaw tightly while working on your computer versus someone else who really holds it during exercise.

2. Massage the inside of your mouth: With clean hands and clipped fingernails, massage the inside of your mouth and particularly the large muscles at the back of the mouth that are responsible for opening and closing the jaw. You will be amazed at how hard these muscles can feel, almost like bones. Simply holding gentle pressure there can start to release some of the muscle tension.

3. Yoga poses: Those that can integrate both the jaw and pelvis include squatting poses, cat cow pose and any poses that stretch the neck.

4. Deep breathing: Can generally help you gain greater body awareness and remind you to open your jaw and breathe more into your belly. A pro tip is to inhale for 4 counts, hold the inhale at the top for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, and hold the exhale at the bottom for 4 counts before inhaling again. This technique immediately makes the breath deeper and more meditative.

5. Get a referral: To an osteopath, craniosacral therapist or pelvic floor physiotherapist for further assessment, guidance and customized exercises tailored to your needs. 

6. Consider seeing a holistically-minded dentist: They can assess your jaw function and appropriately refer you to an osteopath or specialist to decrease jaw tension. The dentist may also design a tailored night guard to prevent damage to your teeth from grinding or clenching.

7. Sing: (‘Let it go’ would be a great song suggestion!) and sing more often to get comfortable releasing tightness in your jaw and mouth.

8. Set a timer when working: For every 10-15 min. Take this time to check in and see if your jaw is relaxed and to get up and move your body, particularly your pelvis.

9. Do a 20-minute walking meditation: While being conscious of your jaw/mouth and pelvic movement patterns or tendencies.

10. Consider learning Arvigo® self-abdominal massage techniques: To reduce tension in your belly and pelvis and consciously soften your jaw muscles to improve both your pelvic and jaw health.

Learning about the valuable interconnection between jaw and pelvic health has literally made my patients’ jaws drop. Remember, the simplest way to start using this insight is through daily body awareness and observations, including noticing when you might be tightening your jaw, which could be contributing to tension or symptoms in your pelvis. 

Arvigo® Self-Abdominal Massage Resources

Dr. Christine Matheson, ND is proud to be one of the only naturopathic doctors in Ontario and Canada who is an Arvigo® therapist teaching Arvigo® self-abdominal massage through her signature ‘Belly Be Well’ Programs.

Learn more about the Arvigo® Techniques of Maya Abominal Massage and find an Arvigo® Therapist near you through Tul’ix Indigenous Arts (formerly the Arvigo Institute).

Access Dr. Christine Matheson’s ‘Top 6 Tips to Get Your Belly Well’ here!

Dr. Christine Matheson, ND has been practicing as a licensed naturopathic doctor since 2001 in Ontario, Canada. She’s also an Arvigo® Therapist and a certified Kundalini yoga instructor who helps women experience wellness from the inside out by taking the vital step of achieving better belly health through thriving gut health, improved pelvic health and fertility health if trying to conceive. Her signature Belly Be Well™ Programs are offered either through one-on-one naturopathic consultations or online group classes and combine teaching natural lifestyle approaches with the unique benefits of the Arvigo® Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy. Christine is honoured to have been one of the first naturopathic doctors in Canada who pioneered working as part of an integrative medical team in a hospital setting at the former Women’s Pelvic Centre at Women’s College Hospital. She aims to help as many women as possible unlock their ultimate vitality through better belly health and have a better relationship and connection to this important region of the body. 

Press & Media about Arvigo Massage

Huffington Post- Maya Massage: A Healing Practice Every Woman Should Know

Daphne Oz Article in Oprah.com-Arvigo Maya Fertility Massage: More than a Belly Rub

Global News: Can Maya Abdominal Massage Aid Digestion?