04/30/2026
The muscles and nerves around the head, neck, and jaw don’t just act locally. They influence the entire system.
The TMJ and surrounding structures are directly integrated with brainstem centers responsible for balance, coordination, and autonomic regulation. Changes in jaw position or neuromuscular tone can alter posture, movement patterns, and how the body organizes stability.
There is also a strong relationship between jaw function and the cervical spine, with clear links between TMJ dysfunction, neck pain, and reduced movement capacity. At a neurological level, trigeminal and cervical systems are closely connected, meaning input from the jaw can influence tone, coordination, and perception throughout the body.
This is why assessment matters.
When you understand how to evaluate these cranial muscles and nerves, you are not just testing a local structure. You are gaining insight into how the system is organizing movement, tension, and adaptation as a whole.
Join us in person or live-stream at our upcoming workshop in May to learn more about this and the treatments and movement protocols that follow: https://www.templehp.com/product/workshop-knoxville-may-2026/