Medical yoga for pain in the temporomandibular joint
When tension bites - holistic ways to relieve the jaw
Cracking, pain when chewing, tension in the neck, head or even shoulders - temporomandibular joint complaints are widespread, but are often underestimated. The temporomandibular joint is often an expression of deeper physical or emotional tensions - from grinding your teeth at night to constant stress-related pressure.
Medical Yoga offers a holistic approach to jaw relaxation: body-centered, nervous system-friendly and deeply regulating - from the tongue to the diaphragm.
Causes of temporomandibular joint pain
The temporomandibular joint (articulatio temporomandibularis) is one of the most complex joints in the body - mobile, finely tuned, closely connected to the cervical spine, skull and autonomic nervous system.
Typical causes of pain and functional disorders are
Nocturnal or stress-related teeth grinding (bruxism)
Malocclusion or misaligned teeth
Myoarthropathies (CMD)
Chronic muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and face
constant emotional tension ("gritting your teeth")
Vegetative imbalance (sympathetic dominance)
The result: pain, restricted movement, cracking noises, headaches, tinnitus, migraines - and even psychosomatic disorders.
How does medical yoga help?
Medical yoga does not view the temporomandibular joint in isolation, but as part of a holistic pattern of tension in the body. Through targeted mobilization, vegetative regulation, breathing work and mindful awareness, the tension cascade can be interrupted and sustainably changed.
1. regulation of the autonomic nervous system
An overactive sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight mode") increases muscle tone - especially in the jaw, face and neck. Medical yoga uses:
Breathing techniques with prolonged exhalation
Humming vowels ("mmm", "ooo") to activate the vagus nerve
Restorative postures for deep relaxation
Meditative elements for inner peace
2. gentle mobilization of the temporomandibular joint
Targeted exercises help to regain range of motion, reduce tension and improve muscle coordination:
Jaw opening and closing with manual support
Tongue mobilization (e.g. tip of the tongue on the palate)
TMJ massage with the ball of the thumb
Chewing without force - with mindful execution
3. connection to the shoulder-neck complex
Jaw problems are often coupled with tension in the shoulder and neck area. Medical yoga therefore integrates:
Mobilization of the cervical spine with breathing movement
fascial stretching of the trapezius muscle
Shoulder circles with eye movement for sensorimotor integration
Gentle rotational movements while sitting or lying down
4. mindfulness and emotional processing
Many sufferers feel: "I'm biting my way through." Medical yoga opens up spaces for self-observation and emotional regulation:
Body journeys with a focus on the jaw and heart
Meditative reframing techniques ("I can let go")
Integration of touch (e.g. hand on chin, forehead or heart area)
For whom is medical yoga suitable for TMJ disorders?
People with CMD, bruxism or functional jaw problems
Patients with tension headaches or neck tension
Affected persons with stress-related complaints in the face/head area
after orthodontic or dental treatment
as a supplement to osteopathic or physiotherapeutic therapy
Therapists who want to integrate the temporomandibular joint into their holistic work
Conclusion: relaxation begins in the jaw
The jaw is more than just a joint - it is often a mirror of our inner tension. With medical yoga, a new balance can be established in a gentle, self-effective way: between tension and relaxation, movement and rest, control and letting go. And sometimes the path to more inner peace begins quite simply with a soft jaw.
Would you like to learn how medical yoga can be used specifically for jaw problems?
Then discover our online training courses for therapists, yoga teachers and bodyworkers.
👉 Find out more now at www.hockenholz.com