Did you know that there is a link between TMJ and Vaginsimus? As many as 90% of women with Vaginismus also have TMJ like issues because the jaw and the pelvic floor are the 2 most common areas to hold tension in the body. In addition to this, the jaw is connected to the pelvis, so they directly affect each other. If you're curious to learn more about their relationship then read on!
What is TMJ? This acronym stands for Temporomandibular Jaw Joint and when people say they have this they are referring to the disorder. This means that the joint of the jaw is not in optimal alignment, thus causing pain and discomfort to the jaw, which, if left untreated, can distribute itself throughout the body, to the head, neck, shoulders, and back. This affects 3 million diagnosed Americans a year and probably many more who are undiagnosed. The TMJ is a modified hinge joint (“Ginglymoarthrodical”) that attaches the jaw bone to the cranium and the temporal bone. It is the first joint that humans really learn to control and utilize so it houses many old patterns and emotions.
What causes TMJ? Probably the most obvious link to jaw pain, it can be caused by issues with the teeth, but that's not always the root of this disorder. Bad posture habits are one cause, such as rounded shoulders, forward neck, and anterior pelvic tilt. Rounded shoulders give a humpback appearance, with the face and chin tilted forward, in a downward position. This bad posture is a sign that your sternoclavicular joints are unstable so your body is compensating by slouching. If your head and neck have bad posture, you could be straining your jaw and jaw joint. A forward, protruding neck is another poor posture habit that strains the muscles in the back of your neck. When these muscles are strained they begin pulling on the muscles and nerves that connect to your head, neck, or jaw. Spending most of the day sitting at a computer, for example, can lead to chronic shortening of the hip and neck flexors, which can then lead to TMJ and pelvic floor dysfunction alike.
What are symptoms of TMJ and how does the pelvic floor tie in? Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, earaches or ringing in ears, popping or clicking sounds in the jaw joint, or difficulty chewing or biting. Anxiety can cause you to clench your teeth and also your pelvic floor. Have you ever tried taking one of those deep, belly breaths and releasing your pelvic floor, only to discover that you didn't know you were clenching in the first place? This is why so many PT's are against Kegeling, because we do them all the time while being completely unaware, so we don't release, just clench, holding tension in our body. It's been observed that our our pelvis mirrors our jaw, so whatever one is doing the other will imitate it. However, these 2 parts of the body are linked even before entering outside factors. They are connected in embryo, through the gallblader meridian in Chinese medicine, and even have similar shapes (pelvic bowl to jaw and mouth). In addition to this, the TMJ alters movement patterns and affects entire lines of fascia, like the “spiral” and “lateral lines” going from the jaw to the pelvis. Also, the psoa is a pelvic and low back muscle which is the first to react to stress. This is where the fight, flight, or freeze response comes into play during a stressful situation. We have a physiological response to a psychological event which our body holds onto, making it difficult to return to a relaxed state afterwards. You can read this article written by a licensed massage therapist for a better understanding of this connection. Have you heard the term "muscle memory" in reference to Vaginismus? Well, it's believed that certain areas of the jaw also hold onto trauma in the same way that certain areas of the hips do, meaning that they have direct associations with something traumatic that's happened to you in the past and will clench when triggered by a reminder of it. All of this data combined creates a very interesting case for how our bodies hold tension and why our jaws affect our pelvises so deeply.
How do you treat TMJ? As with anything, there are simple steps you can take in your daily life to lessen the effects of this disorder or you can seek out professional help to manage it. You can reach out to a dentist, an osteopath, cranial sacral therapist, or pelvic floor therapist for assistance with these problems. Massage therapy helps fix the alignment of the jaw as well as restoring the range of motion to it, while myofascial release can also help remove tension from the hips. Another option is utilizing the neurology tool Proprioceptive-Deep Tendon Reflex® (P-DTR®) to help rewire the communication lines to and from the TMJ, allowing the brain and body to be on the same page. This gently works with nerves and specific stimuli instead of using a more hands on approach like gentle Cranial work, where the bones of the cranium are opened to create new space where there was none before, as well as release adhesions. To fix the problem of rounded shoulders on your own, lie face down on the floor, with your hands close to the sides of your armpits, and bend your arms at a 90-degree angle. Next, squeeze your shoulder blades together for about five seconds, and then release. Continue this routine for about 12 repetitions (reps), two to three times a day. To correct a protruding neck, slowly move your head backward as you bring your chin down toward your sternum. Hold this position for about five seconds and you will begin to fill stretching in the back of your neck, then release the pose. Do this about ten times a day. Yoga poses that integrate both the jaw and pelvis like squatting poses, cat cow pose, or any poses that stretch the neck are also useful. Simply singing and sighing can make a huge difference. For some good information on this, check out the V Hive Podcast's episode 61 with Dr. Bhavti Soni, the Connection Between Pelvic Pain, TMJ, & Headaches. If you are suffering from both of these conditions know that you are not alone! 90% of those with TMJ are women, surprise surprise, so this is sadly a common occurence.