The Surprising Link Between Jaw Pain, Pelvic Floor, and Posture

by Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness Staff | Apr 14, 2025 | Pain and Headaches, Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction | 0 comments

I’m excited to share insights on a topic that might surprise you: how face pain, jaw pain, headaches, tooth pain, and even sinus issues can be connected to the pelvic floor. Yes, you read that right—our pelvic floor plays a role in many of these areas.

Discovering the Connection

I want to share with you an amazing conversation I had recently with Dr. Pick, a dentist in West Des Moines who specializes in jaw pain, sleep issues, and teeth grinding. Our chat reminded me just how closely related the pelvic floor, jaw, breathing, posture, and even pelvic health issues (like incontinence or pelvic pain) really are. It’s as if these different body parts are “friends” working together, and when one isn’t in harmony, the rest can be affected too.

Why Alignment Matters

Let’s talk about alignment! How we position our neck, rib cage, and pelvic floor has everything to do with how our system functions. Picture this: when your ears are lined up over your shoulders, your jaw aligns naturally. But if your head juts forward, your jaw follows suit, which can lead to discomfort and misalignment.

Our bodies are ultimately pressure systems, and each body has various “openings” where this pressure is managed. These include the pelvic floor, the diaphragm, and the throat (or glottis). For everything to work in sync, these openings need to align properly. When they don’t, it can lead to issues like jaw pain, headaches, and even urinary incontinence.

The Pelvic Floor and Jaw: Posture and Stress

Posture

Our posture plays a huge role. For example, if you’re sitting on your tailbone (instead of your sit bones), you might notice your head naturally leans forward. However, if you adjust to sit more on your pelvic floor (yes, it makes a difference!), your head and jaw can align better, reducing strain and tension.

Stress

Another very common factor! Many of us hold tension in our jaw and pelvic floor muscles without realizing it. The good news? Learning to relax these muscles can have a big impact on our overall comfort and health.

Try This Quick Exercise to Relieve Tension

One effective way to reduce tension is through breathing exercises. By practicing deep belly breathing (not chest breathing), you can help relax your pelvic floor and jaw muscles. Try this exercise:

Inhale deeply, expanding your belly outward to feel your pelvic floor stretch and open.
Hold for four counts.
Exhale slowly for eight counts, letting your body relax and become heavy.

This kind of breathing can help “reset” your alignment, manage pressure within your body’s openings, and even reduce the risk of issues like prolapse or incontinence.

Addressing Muscle Tension: Techniques and Resources

Muscle tension in the neck and jaw is part of the same problem. If you suffer from severe jaw pain, treatments like dry needling can help release the tension in your neck muscles, which, in turn, can relieve pressure on your jaw. If TMJ, TMD, or other jaw pain issues are a concern, Dr. Pick is a fantastic resource in the West Des Moines area, and we’d love to collaborate with him to support you.

Pelvic Floor and Jaw Pain Are Connected—Let Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness Help

If you experience jaw pain, TMJ, tension headaches, or pelvic floor issues and feel overwhelmed or anxious, know that these issues may be connected. Proper alignment, pressure management, and relaxation techniques can make a world of difference.

If you have questions or personal experiences with this, please comment below. We’d love to hear your stories and how you’ve managed similar issues. Who knew the pelvic floor and jaw were related? If you need extra support, get in touch with our PT team! Here’s to better alignment and less pain!