*Please Note: This is an article you need to read in full. Don’t skim!

So I’ve experienced a bunch of TMJ in my life and as such, have been in search of good stretches and releases for my sore Jaw muscles. Most of what I find is junk but every now and then you find someone who has a whole bunch of good work on the jaw.

Watch This TMJ Seminar

There’s an amazing TMJ Seminar I came across recently that I highly recommend to Vancouver TMJ sufferers.  

Introducing: Kristin Schumaker.

I should mention I’ve seen her first name spelt differently on the web a few times but the seminar title I enjoyed of hers is:

Reclaiming your Livelihood: Neurovascular release for the jaw and head. 

This seminar is available through Anatomy Trains. Kristin’s full programs are quite expensive but she has a two hour seminar through the Anatomy Trains membership that I was really impressed with. I think a monthly membership to Anatomy Trains is $24.

Not bad and you can do the free trial and cancel for free if that’s all you need.  Just search  for the Anatomy Trains website or that title of Kristin’s seminar above in black online and it should take you to the site and show you who you’re looking for. The rest of the site is focused on anatomy and massage work but it was Kristin’s Seminar I was really impressed with.

One More Stretch

The next stretch or release I’ve been very impressed with has been a stretch of the buckle area of the jaw. This was done by my Chiropractor as part of some active release therapy (ART) I received. I believe most Physical Therapists should know what to do if you ask about the “Buckle” area of the Jaw. It’s the bottom back corner in case you’re wondering (pictured below).

tmj buckle jaw area stretch

Stretching this area which is routinely tight has made a big difference for me and I don’t see it recommended online very much. Maybe more like I never see it recommended. The next time you’re in to see your Physio or Chiro, I highly suggest asking about it and seeing if it’s an area where you can get some relief.

Mental Perception of the Jaw

Mental perception is kind of a loose term I use to describe how somebody thinks of a movement, position or  posture.

For Example: When someone’s swinging a golf club and they perceive that they need to move down into the shot and then stand up out of the shot, they have a very clear mental perception of what movement they’re trying to achieve. This is good if the movement is good and bad if the movement is bad.

In the case of the jaw, it was great for me to understand that the jaw sits in more of a sling position. Somewhat like a hammock. In other words, there’s no need to heavily contract or hold the jaw in a given position. It’s kind of just hanging out and that’s a much better way to think about how to hold it.

We get too involved with chin tucking exercises, tensioning our jaw and aggressively stretching it. These ideas may not have as much of an effect if we’re constantly holding the jaw in a tight position day in and day out.

Give the idea of a sling or hammock position for the jaw some thought and discuss it with your physical therapist as a possible new way to percieve position. You may find it’s a little bit easier on the body, shoulders, neck and jaw overall.

Cheers,

FS Studios

 

Kristin’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaaNjtHMVplpagcG7wr5E2Q