The Jaw and Pelvic Floor Connection
The jaw and pelvic floor are surprisingly interconnected, even though they are anatomically far away each other. They’re connected through neurological, muscular, and fascial connections.
In my pregnancy and postnatal yoga classes we often explore this connection in an embodied way. We observe how we may hold tension in our jaw and use techniques and awareness practices to come into contact with our habitual patterns. Releasing the pelvic floor in labour can be particular helpful in easing baby’s pathway through the pelvic outlet.
Here is how the jaw and pelvic floor are connected and below I talk you through some of these techniques…
1. Neurological Relationship
Both the jaw (via the trigeminal nerve) and pelvic floor (via the pudendal nerve) are connected to the central nervous system.
Stress, tension, or relaxation in one area can influence the other via reflex pathways and co-activation patterns in the brain and spinal cord.
2. Myofascial (Connective Tissue) Connection
The fascia, a web of connective tissue throughout the body, links the jaw to the pelvis through continuous chains like the deep front line (as described in anatomy trains theory by Thomas Myers).
Tension in the jaw can transmit through the fascia, affecting posture and muscle tone down to the pelvic floor and hips and even feet.
3. Muscular Co-activation
Functional patterns show that tightening the jaw can create reflexive tightening in the pelvic floor and vice versa.
So clenching your jaw or grinding teeth can lead to pelvic tension.
4. Postural and Breathing Patterns
The diaphragm, jaw, and pelvic floor are all involved in core stability and breathing mechanics.
Dysfunction in breathing (e.g., shallow chest breathing) can create compensatory tension in the jaw and pelvic floor due to disrupted pressure systems and stabilization patterns.
Interestingly…
People with TMJ, chronic jaw tension, or grinding may also experience pelvic floor dysfunction.
Conversely, pelvic floor therapy may sometimes include jaw relaxation techniques, because relaxing the jaw can help release the pelvic floor.
Below are some techniques that I use in my classes to bring you into gentle contact with this relationship between the jaw and pelvic floor.
Gentle Jaw Massage
How to:
Take your four fingers of both hands to your lower jaw. Bite gently down and you may notice the large masseter muscles ‘pop’ out. Soften the bite and melt your fingers into the muscle, gently circling as you like.
As you massage, draw attention to your breathing - can you breathe all around your rib cage.C
Become aware of tension held in the body - all the tiny muscles in your face, as well as muscles around your hips, glutes, inner thights and pelvic floor. Become aware of any pulling in of the belly - can you relax your tummy muscles. .
“Shhh” Sound
Inhale through your nose, gently expanding your ribs.
On the exhale, make a long, slow “shhhhhh” sound—like calming a baby.
Let your jaw stay relaxed and slightly open.
Humming Bee Breath
This is a wonderful practice to stimulate the vagus nerve and promote softening of jaw and pelvic floor through vibration. Babies love hearing this sound out of the womb - they often get very still and quiet. You could even hum gently onto their tummies. In the womb this is like a lovely sound bath for your baby too. You could use this practice during labour, in pregnancy and far beyond into your postnatal life.
Inhale through your nose.
Exhale with a gentle hum for as long as you like (without forcing the breath out or exhaling to discomfort). Soften your teeth away from each other.
Where can you feel the vibration?
Repeat as many times as you like.
If you are experiencing jaw pain or pelvic floor tension please contact me for how we may be able to work together.