Understanding TMJ & The Stomatognathic System

Your jaw does a lot more than chew. It helps you breathe, speak, balance, and stabilise your posture. At The Body Lab, we dive deep into the stomatognathic system—a fancy word that covers your TMJ (temporomandibular joint), jaw muscles, hyoid bone, tongue, upper cervical spine, and facial bones. We look at how it all connects to pain, posture, sleep, and performance.

Signs Your TMJ Might Be the Problem

You don’t need to be clenching 24/7 to have TMJ issues. Here are some symptoms we see in clinic:

  • Jaw clicking, locking, pain

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Neck and shoulder tension

  • Sinus congestion or facial pain

  • Ear fullness or ringing

  • Clenching or grinding (especially at night)

  • Difficulties with swallowing or speech

  • Chronic upper cervical pain

The jaw is one of the most neurologically dense joints in the body. Its dysfunction can ripple through your entire nervous system.

The Body Lab Approach

We don’t just treat the jaw. We assess how your jaw moves, how your head is positioned, and how your whole body responds to that movement. This includes:

  • TMJ range of motion testing

  • Tongue and hyoid assessment

  • Cervical spine and cranial mobility

  • Breathing pattern assessment

  • Foot-posture relationship to jaw function

  • Movement-based retraining of jaw mechanics

TMJ & Movement Therapy: What Makes Us Different?

Jaw Posture = Body Posture

Here’s what current research shows:

  • Jaw position can affect postural stability [1,2]

  • TMJ dysfunction can influence foot proprioception [3]

  • Tongue posture is tied to breathing mechanics, sleep, and digestion [4,5]

  • Hyoid bone is linked to cervical spine and swallowing function [6,7]

We see this in clinic all the time—jaw issues that cause low back pain, or poor foot mechanics that drive jaw clenching.

A Real Client Journey

"I came in for neck pain and tension headaches. Turns out, my jaw and tongue posture were completely off. After three sessions focusing on jaw motion and cranial therapy, I had less pain, better posture, and could even breathe easier. Who knew your tongue could change your spine?!" — Amelia, client at The Body Lab

What to Expect in Your Session

Every TMJ consultation includes:

  1. A comprehensive TMJ and tongue assessment

  2. Hyoid bone positioning and motion testing

  3. Cervical-cranial palpation and motion release

  4. Tailored cranial therapy (including intraoral work if needed)

  5. Personalised movement re-education (jaw, breath, neck, foot)

  6. Take-home practices and home care guidance

Why Your Tongue Matters

Your tongue is a powerhouse of posture and function. A low tongue posture can:

  • Narrow your airway

  • Contribute to snoring or sleep apnoea

  • Disrupt swallowing mechanics

  • Reduce spinal alignment

We retrain tongue posture to support:

  • Breathing efficiency

  • Cervical spine stability

  • Occlusion and bite correction (in collaboration with your dentist)

Conditions We Help With

  • TMJ Dysfunction

  • Bruxism (night clenching)

  • Headaches/migraines

  • Neck pain or whiplash

  • Forward head posture

  • Sinus congestion

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea support

  • Post-concussion or vestibular issues

Integrative TMJ Support at The Body Lab

We bring together:

  • Cranial Therapy (hands-on work to release tension)

  • Functional Acupuncture (for nervous system regulation)

  • Movement Therapy (to train better alignment and control)

  • Breathing and Tongue Work (to reconnect posture + function)

You’ll get:

  • A tailored treatment map

  • Home practices

  • Resources to support long-term results

Research-Backed, Clinically Proven

We draw on the latest studies in biomechanics, neurology, dentistry, and cranial research:

  1. Cuccia A, Caradonna C. The relationship between the stomatognathic system and body posture. Cranio. 2009.

  2. Gangloff P et al. Effects of jaw clenching on postural stability. Neurosci Lett. 2000.

  3. Berni KC et al. Relationship between dental occlusion and posture in children. J Appl Oral Sci. 2011.

  4. Huang Y et al. The role of tongue posture in craniofacial development. Orthod Craniofac Res. 2016.

  5. Guimaraes KC et al. Effects of oropharyngeal exercises on sleep apnea. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009.

  6. Mayuga et al. The hyoid bone's role in cervical spine and airway mechanics. Clin Anat. 2014.

  7. Okeson JP. Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion. 7th ed.

Ready to Fix Your Jaw?

Book your session today and take the first step toward a better jaw, spine, breath, and life.

Location: 21 Chisholm Street, Ainslie ACT (Home Clinic)
Session Duration: 60 mins initial, 45 mins follow-ups

Online Booking

Let’s unlock your TMJ and get the rest of your body back online.

more information can be found here