The Connection Between Jaw Tension and Pelvic Floor Tightness

Did you know that your jaw and pelvic floor are closely connected? It may sound strange, but tension in one often leads to tension in the other. If you clench your jaw, grind your teeth, or hold stress in your face, you may also be unknowingly tightening your pelvic floor—contributing to discomfort, pain, or even incontinence.

Why Are the Jaw and Pelvis Connected?

The jaw and pelvic floor are both controlled by deep postural muscles and share nerve pathways through the fascia and the central nervous system. When we hold stress in our jaw, it signals the rest of our body—including the pelvic floor—to contract.

Signs You Might Have Jaw & Pelvic Floor Tension:

• Clenching or grinding your teeth (especially at night)

• Frequent headaches or TMJ pain

• Feeling “tight” or tense in your lower abdomen or pelvic floor

• Experiencing discomfort with sitting or sex

• Having trouble fully relaxing your pelvic muscles

How to Release Both Areas:

🔹 Try Tongue & Jaw Relaxation: Rest your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth and let your jaw release. Breathe deeply and consciously relax your facial muscles.

🔹 Practice Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing: Breathe in through your nose, expanding your belly, and exhale slowly. This helps reset both jaw and pelvic tension.

🔹 Self-Massage: Gently massaging the jaw and pelvic area (or working with a professional) can release stored tension.

🔹 Check Your Posture: Forward head posture can contribute to both jaw and pelvic tension—keep your spine aligned to reduce strain.

If you’ve been focusing only on your pelvic floor but still experience tightness, checking in with your jaw tension might be the missing piece. The body is deeply interconnected, and sometimes the best pelvic health strategies start at the top!