The Fascinating Connection Between Jaw and Pelvic Floor Tension
In the world of health and wellbeing our bodies are like a web of connections that can surprise us. Would you believe that there is a link between jaw tension and pelvic floor tension? These two areas might seem totally different, but they actually affect each other in some pretty interesting ways.
The jaw, often considered the body's powerhouse for chewing, speaking, and expressing emotions, holds immense tension for many individuals. Factors like stress, anxiety, teeth grinding (bruxism), or even poor posture can contribute to chronic jaw tension. Conversely, the pelvic floor, a group of muscles situated at the base of the pelvis responsible for supporting vital organs, bladder control, and even sexual function, can experience tension due to a variety of factors.
The Connection Between the Jaw and Pelvic Floor
The jaw and pelvic floor share an embryological connection, both being formed around the same time of gestation (15days). During this time two depressions are formed, one will eventually become the opening to the mouth and the other becomes the opening to the urtehra, anus, and reproductive organs. On top of this we have a facial line called the deep frontal fascial line that connects the jaw and pelvic floor together, your fascia is a form of connective tissue that I like to describe as a glad wrap that surrounds your muscles. It holds your bones, nerves, blood vessels, muscles and other tissues in place. Your vagus nerve is also strongly related to your jaw and pelvic floor, it provides sensory information from the uterus to the brainstem and is one of the main nerves of your parasympathetic nervous system.
It has been shown that your pelvic floor has an automatic response to stress, if you are upset or stressed your pelvic floor muscles may clench and tighten as a result, you may also notice that you may clench your bum muscles in response to stress. If you are stressed, angry or emotional you may find yourself grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw or holding your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Both the pelvic floor and jaw will response to many forms of threat or stress to the body.
Furthermore, breathing patterns can play a significant role in this connection. Shallow or dysfunctional breathing habits, often associated with chronic stress or tension, can lead to an imbalance in the musculature around both the jaw and pelvic floor, exacerbating their respective tensions.
Additionally, when women give birth they may make many loud animalistic sounds, often being compared to the sound of a cow giving birth – a low groan, moan or moo. These low toned noises help relax the mouth and jaw and in turn your pelvic floor assisting in the passage of baby through the birth canal.
Signs and symptoms of jaw or pelvic floor tension:
Low back pain, pelvic girdle pain or hip pain.
Urinary leakage or incontinence.
Difficulty passing a bowel movement.
Pain with sexual intercourse or inserting a tampon.
Straining when passing a bowel movement.
Frequent urination.
Jaw pain.
Clenching of the jaw.
Grinding the teeth.
Holding your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
What you can do to help relax your jaw and pelvic floor
Tongue positioning- Relax your tongue form the roof of your mouth, relax and unclench your jaw.
Deep breathing- Practice regular deep breathing focusing on relaxing your jaw muscles or your pelvic floor muscles. Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds and repeat, this will help relax both your pelvic floor and jaw muscles and can be done multiple times throughout the day.
Yoga- Yoga can be great to help relax your jaw and pelvic floor. Some specific exercises of particular benefit includes- Malasana, Childs pose, happy baby, cat cow.
Mouth & Jaw Exercises- Puff your cheeks, sigh, hum or moo. All of these exercises can relax your jaw and surrounding muscles and assist in both the relaxation of your jaw and pelvic floor
Visit a Pelvic Floor Osteopath
Considering visiting a pelvic health osteopath. At Tugun Osteopathy we treat the body as a whole assessing how your whole body can influence your pelvic floor. We have specific training in pelvic health and pelvic floor conditions and can perform both internal and external assessments of the jaw and pelvic floor. An internal and external assessment and treatment of the jaw and pelvic floor has proven to be incredibly beneficial for many of our patients. If you would like to know more or to book an appointment call us on 0405 640 786.