The Fascinating Links Between Your Jaw, Neck, Pelvis and More

Have you ever had an ache in your neck that crept up into your jaw or ear? Or maybe a shoulder that just wouldn’t settle, only to realise it was linked to how you clench your teeth at night?

It might sound surprising but the jaw, ear, neck, teeth, shoulders and pelvis are all part of a beautifully complex system that works together every day to help us speak, chew, turn our heads and carry stress. When one part of that system becomes irritated or out of balance, it can have a ripple effect across the rest of the body. Let’s take a closer at how this all connects.

The Fascinating Links Between Your Jaw, Neck, Pelvis and More

To understand how these areas affect each other, picture the body as a group of close neighbours. The jaw (also known as the temporomandibular joint), the neck and shoulders share muscle groups, nerves and even posture habits. They support one another constantly, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

The Jaw and Neck

The jaw isn’t just about chewing. It moves every time we talk, laugh or swallow. Its movement relies on small but powerful muscles that attach to the sides of the skull, the cheekbones and the upper neck.

When the neck is stiff, overworked or stuck in poor posture (picture this: hunched over a laptop or looking down at your phone), it can pull on the muscles that also help move the jaw. This can lead to jaw pain, tension headaches or even clicking and popping when you chew or yawn.

The Jaw and Shoulders

The muscles that control jaw movement, like the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles, don't work in isolation. They connect indirectly to the muscles of the neck and upper back, especially the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and levator scapulae — all of which support head position and shoulder movement. When your head shifts forward (like when you're looking at a screen), the neck and shoulder muscles tighten to stabilise it. This forward head posture can subtly pull on the jaw and cause muscle imbalances that contribute to jaw tension or pain.

The Jaw and Ears

The jaw sits just in front of the ear canal. This is why some people with jaw problems feel ear pressure, fullness or a dull ache, even though nothing is wrong with their hearing. The two share nerves and space, so when the jaw is tight or misaligned, it can send confusing signals to the brain that feel like an earache.

The Jaw and Teeth

Clenching or grinding the teeth, especially during sleep, can strain the jaw joint. Over time, this can irritate the surrounding muscles and nerves. Many people who grind their teeth also experience headaches, neck tension or even pain that radiates down into the shoulders. Dentists and physiotherapists often work together to spot these patterns and ease the strain.

The Jaw and Pelvis

The body is a whole, integrated system. Even though the jaw and pelvis seem far apart, they communicate through a chain of muscles, connective tissue called fascia, nerves and movement patterns.

Here’s how this works:

• Through the Spine and Posture: The pelvis forms the base of the spine. Changes in pelvic tilt affect spinal curvature and head position. If the pelvis tilts forward or backward, it changes the curve of your lower back and influences how your head sits on your neck. A misaligned pelvis can cause compensations up the chain, affecting the neck and jaw position. This subtle shift can affect how your jaw moves or feels.

• Through the Fascia: Fascia is like a web that wraps around muscles and organs, linking the jaw, tongue, diaphragm, pelvic floor and inner thighs. The “deep front line” described by Thomas Myers connects the jaw, tongue, diaphragm, pelvic floor and inner thighs. Fascial tightness or restrictions in one area can transmit tension to others, influencing jaw and pelvic function.

• Through Breathing and the Nervous System: Both the jaw and pelvis respond to how we breathe and handle stress. Shallow breathing can create tension in the jaw and pelvic floor while deep breathing helps relax these areas and calm the nervous system.

  
  

In everyday life, this means someone with jaw tension might also feel tightness or discomfort in their hips or pelvis or low back. Or a person with pelvic issues may notice jaw fatigue or neck pain. When one part struggles, the rest often tries to compensate.

When Symptoms Overlap

Because these regions are so closely connected, it’s not always easy to pinpoint where a problem starts. Common overlapping symptoms include:

• A dull ache in the ear with no signs of infection

• Clicking or locking of the jaw

• Headaches that start at the base of the skull

• Stiffness or pain in the shoulder blade area

• Pain when chewing or opening the mouth wide

• Tingling or numbness in the face or arms

Stress, anxiety and disrupted sleep can also make these symptoms worse, as tension builds in the jaw, neck and shoulders.

How Treatment Can Help

The good news is that symptoms involving the jaw, neck, shoulders and pelvis often improve with the right approach. Since these parts of the body are so interconnected, treatment works best when it addresses the whole system rather than just one area in isolation.

Physiotherapy

A physiotherapist will first listen to your story and assess how your body is moving. They may look at:

• Jaw movement and alignment

• Posture of the head, neck and shoulders

• Muscle patterns at the jaw, neck and shoulders

• Breathing patterns

• Strength and control around the pelvis and spine

Treatment may include:

• Hands-on techniques like gentle joint mobilisation, soft tissue release and dry needling to ease tension

• Posture retraining and ergonomic advice for work and sleep setups

• Targeted exercises to improve mobility and strength

• Gentle jaw movement exercises or guided relaxation techniques

• Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing

• Mindful movement

Clinical Pilates

Pilates, when tailored by a qualified instructor with clinical knowledge, is especially helpful for long-standing or recurring issues. It focuses on:

• Core and pelvic floor control

• Spinal alignment

• Breathwork

• Whole-body coordination

This helps to reduce unnecessary tension in the jaw, neck and shoulders while improving movement patterns that support recovery.

Counselling or Psychology

Our thoughts, emotions and stress levels influence how our body holds tension. Worry, overthinking and chronic stress often lead to jaw clenching, shoulder tightness and shallow breathing.

Dental Care

A dentist, especially one familiar with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), can help with:

• Assessing how your teeth bite and whether that contributes to strain

• Identifying signs of grinding or clenching (like wear on teeth or bite imbalances)

• Fitting a night guard or splint to protect your teeth and ease jaw pressure during sleep

• Coordinating care with your physio or GP

Pain Specialists or Doctors

For persistent, complex or widespread symptoms, a GP or pain specialist can help coordinate care. They might explore:

• Imaging (if needed)

• Medications to manage pain short-term

• Injections or other medical options for nerve irritation or joint inflammation

• Referral to specialists such as neurologists or oral surgeons if needed

🧠 Remember: The goal is not just to reduce pain but to restore comfort, confidence and ease in everyday movement. A holistic approach takes time, but it often leads to better long-term results.

Final Thoughts

Your body is deeply connected. Pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders or pelvis is often a sign that something in that system needs gentle support. At Lokahi Healthcare, we take a whole-person approach, combining physiotherapy, clinical pilates and counselling to help you feel better in body and mind. We listen closely, treat with care and guide you toward lasting relief and confident movement. If something doesn’t feel quite right, we’re here to help. Reach out to us.