Jaw & Pelvic Floor Connection
What Your Jaw Might Be Telling You About Your Pelvic Floor
Something I’ve observed with clients over time: the jaw, diaphragm, and pelvic floor are constantly communicating. Tension or discomfort in one area can often reveal what’s happening elsewhere in the body.
Many people don’t realize that jaw clenching, headaches, or pelvic discomfort might actually be connected. The body isn’t a collection of isolated parts — it’s a system, and understanding these connections can help explain why some symptoms appear in seemingly unrelated areas.
The Body’s Three Major Diaphragms
The jaw, the respiratory diaphragm (under your lungs), and the pelvic floor are three of the body’s primary diaphragms. These structures work together to:
Regulate abdominal pressure
Support healthy breathing
Maintain postural stability
Influence nervous system state
Distribute tension throughout the body
When one area is holding excess tension or not functioning optimally, other areas often compensate. That means jaw tension could show up as neck pain, headaches, pelvic discomfort, or even urinary or digestive symptoms.
Common Symptoms That Might Be Connected
If you notice more than one of the following, it could reflect these whole-body connections:
Jaw pain or clenching
Headaches or facial tension
Neck stiffness
Difficulty taking a full breath
Pelvic pain or pressure
Urinary leakage
Constipation
Painful intimacy
These symptoms aren’t a sign that something is “wrong” — they’re your body communicating. Recognizing these patterns is often the first step toward finding relief.
Why a Whole-Body Approach Matters
Treating symptoms in isolation can miss the root cause. At Root & Ember Physical Therapy, we take a whole-body approach to pelvic floor and musculoskeletal health. By looking at how the jaw, diaphragm, and pelvic floor interact, we can identify patterns of tension and movement that may be contributing to discomfort elsewhere.
Even small shifts in tension can make a big difference, but how they are addressed is unique to every body. Physical therapy guidance can help restore balance safely, reduce discomfort, and support better breathing, posture, and movement.
Next Steps
If you’ve noticed tension, discomfort, or pain in either your jaw or pelvic floor, an evaluation can help uncover what your body may be trying to communicate. Understanding these connections is often the first step toward feeling more comfortable and moving freely again.
Curious if your jaw and pelvic floor might be connected? Schedule a consultation at Root & Ember Physical Therapy to explore your body’s patterns and find a personalized approach to relief.
