The jaw (or TMJ for Temporomandibular Joint) is frequently unacknowledged as a source of pain in many head, neck, face, and vocal conditions. People who experience headaches, motor vehicle accidents, sport or work site injuries, often have jaw issues that can accumulate to overwhelming levels. 

Clenching the teeth is a very common habit during sleep, while concentrating, or from stress. This often results in an accumulation of both compressive forces in the joints and asymmetrical muscle tightness which can lead to clicking, pain and ultimately joint damage.

Resolving the joint compression and muscular tightness can re-pattern the jaw mechanics and save pain and difficulties decades later.

TMJ pain and dysfunction may be secondary to other conditions including:

• headaches / migraines,
• chronic ear and sinus issues,
• asthma / breathing impairments,
• cases of scoliosis or low back pain,
• pelvic and spinal health and function,
• motor vehicle accidents, 
• sport injuries,
• surgical scar tissue in the body, and
• pregnancy.

Assessment begins with looking at:

• symmetry of mouth opening / closing, 
• teeth clenching and / or grinding habits,
• sinus and ear health and function,
• cranial bone health and function, 
• speech and breathing patterns, 
• dental history, and
• postural and repetitive movement habits.

What to expect:

• A series of 3 to 8 weekly or biweekly  treatments is often required in an attempt to re-pattern the TMJ Dysfunction (TMJD), and / or laryngeal position. 
• Treatment goals and criteria for detecting progress will be established so you may measure effectiveness.   
• Longstanding issues can frequently be improved but possibly not fully resolved.  In these cases clients “graduate” after an initial series to monthly or seasonal visits of 2 treatments within one week to keep old patterns from recurring; feeling well for longer is the intent.
• Compensating structures, associated symptoms, previous injuries and / or pathologies and lifestyle factors will all be considered within the treatment planning.
• The initial 60 minute consultation includes a health history interview, assessment and treatment. 
• Follow up treatments are 60 minutes. 

My Education and Courses for the head, neck and jaw:

• TMJ Mastery (with John W. Corry, RMT),
• A Whole Body Approach to TMJ Dysfunction (TMJ Massage Therapies),
• Clinical Assessment of the Neck and TMJ (Dexterity Professional Development),
• Clinical Assessment of the TMJ: Advanced Understanding of ROM (Dexterity Professional Development),
• Fascial Approaches: Head, Neck and Jaw (Stuart Therapies and Seminars),
• Guasha for the Head, Neck and Jaw (Inner Ocean Healing),
• CranioSacral Basic Elements Levels 1 and 2 (The CranioSacral Therapy Alliance),
• Structural Myofascial Therapy: Connection with the Fascia (Baron Bodyworks Education), and
• Myofacial Integration: Levels 1 and 2 (with Yvonne Pellerin, RMT).