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MYOFASCIAL TECHNIQUES In the Jaw/Cervical Technique, gentle, specific touch is used to help refine the client's proprioception. When your client opens their jaw, feel for contraction or extension in the posterior neck. Use verbal and tactile cues to help the client discover a way to let the jaw open without cervical extension or contraction. Images courtesy Advanced-Trainings.com. The Jaw/Cervical Technique Indications • Cervical extension or muscular contraction with jaw opening, especially when accompanied by: • Neck tension, pain, or movement restriction • Jaw tension or pain; temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) • Headaches (both tension and migraine) Purpose • Refine proprioceptive awareness of any jaw/neck movement coupling • Increase self-care options for practicing relaxed and easy jaw movement Instructions • Use your fingertips to gently feel for any posterior neck involvement in slow, active jaw opening (Images 3 and 4). • Check movement with the client's head and neck in a neutral position, as well as in fully rotated positions. • If you find neck extension or contraction with jaw depression, help your client feel this, too, by directing their attention to these sensations with your words and your touch. Use gentle, but specific pressure into any areas of contraction or extension in order to further increase your client's proprioception. • Offer proprioceptive cues such as: "Just allow your jaw to fall open as your neck stays relaxed," "Let your shoulders, tongue, and neck soften as you move," "Let it move even less. Can your jaw move a little before your neck tightens?," etc. • Repeat in a seated or standing position; offer as client self-care homework and practice. Considerations • Keep jaw-opening within the client's comfort range. • Use your touch to help the client feel their unneeded movement or tension, rather than trying to rub or manipulate any tight muscles you find. Keep in mind that this is a reeducation technique, rather than tissue manipulation. • Slow, focused, small, active movements will often be more effective than large, fast movements. • Not everyone has coupled jaw/neck motion. Repeat the test in various positions, but if no coupling is found, this technique is not indicated. • Many jaw problems resolve on their own after a few months of stress reduction and self-care. 5 Chronic or severe temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) sufferers can benefit from a combination of methods, which together offer physical, educational, psychological, and social support. For More Learning • "Neck, Jaw & Head," "TMJ & Jaw Issues," or "Whiplash" in the Advanced Myofascial Techniques series of workshops and video courses. • Advanced Myofascial Techniques, Vol. 2, chapters 11–13, "Cervical Issues." (Handspring, 2016) 3 4