Restorative Physical Therapy

🦶 ➡️ 🧘‍♀️ ➡️ 🗣️ It sounds crazy, but clenching your jaw or struggling with pelvic floor coordination can actually be linked back to your feet. You shouldn’t treat the body like a bunch of isolated parts. It actually works as one complete system.

The human body is connected by a continuous web of connective tissue called fascia. Specifically, your “Deep Front Line” runs straight from the arches of your feet, up through your pelvic floor, and all the way to your jaw and tongue! Your jaw, pelvic floor, and feet are intimately connected through your nervous system. Tension or weakness at the bottom of the chain can cause compensations all the way at the top. When your feet are rigid, stuck in tight shoes, or lack coordination, your body must find stability somewhere else often by clenching the pelvic floor or tightening the jaw.

If you want a functional pelvic floor and a relaxed jaw, you have to build a strong foundation from the ground up. 🏗️

Let Restorative Physical Therapy help you:

✔️ Restore mobility in your feet

✔️ Improve your pelvic floor response

✔️ Release that stubborn jaw tension

We call this exercise “Toe Yoga”. IYKYK

Give this a try, and notice how your pelvic floor and jaw respond. Save this post to use as your daily warm-up! 📌

👇 Drop a 🦶 in the comments if you’re going to try this!

Nightguards are great, but they are only half the solution. 🦷

We love this analogy because the helmet (nightguard) is essential! It protects your teeth from cracking and saves your enamel. But shouldn’t we stop the head-banging in the first place? Do you religiously wear your nightguard but STILL wake up feeling like you chewed rocks all night? 🪨 A nightguard will save your teeth, but who is saving your jaw muscles? 🤔🦷

As Physical Therapists, we look at the system! Teeth grinding and TMJ pain are rarely just mouth issues. They are often caused by:

💥 Poor oromotor habits

💥 Poor resting tongue position

💥 Imbalances in neck mobility

💥 Improper breathing mechanics

💥 Forward head posture putting strain on the jaw

💥 Hyperactive or tight muscles in the neck, face, and shoulders

💥 Unmanaged stress

💥 Dysregulated nervous system

A nightguard protects your teeth, but at Restorative Physical Therapy, we treat the muscles, joints, ligaments, discs, and mechanics that are actually causing the grind. We may even need to refer you out for an airway assessment or myofunctional therapy to maintain better control of the tongue. We want to help you stop grinding for good.

Tired of waking up with an aching jaw and stiff neck? Let’s find your root cause. Call to book an evaluation today!

⁉️ To See a TMJ Physical Therapist BEFORE or AFTER wisdom teeth removal ⁉️

🦷Prehab:
If you're already experiencing signs/symptoms of TMJD, start PT prior to surgery to lessen pain, address preexisting impairments, and improve daily life. The trauma from surgery can temporarily worsen TMJD symptoms, but we’re here to help. Symptoms can range from jaw pain, popping/clicking, and limited opening to earaches and headaches.

🦷Rehab:
Most surgical swelling and stiffness should significantly improve within 1 to 2 weeks. If you are 3+ weeks post-op and still struggling to open your mouth normally, or if you are experiencing new, localized jaw pain, it is time to get evaluated by a specialized physical therapist.

We don’t just treat backs and knees—physical therapy can restore normal joint mechanics, release tight jaw muscles, and get you chewing comfortably again.

💬 Drop a comment: Did your jaw stiffness clear up after surgery, or did it linger? Let’s chat below!

👇 Save this reel for later or share it with someone who just got their wisdom teeth out!