Discover how TMJ and neck pain are intimately linked through nervous system pathways, and learn practical self-healing techniques including targeted exercises, breathwork, and nervous system regulation that provide both immediate relief and lasting results.

The key insight from the latest research is that we need to address both the peripheral drivers—the actual muscle and joint issues—and the central drivers, which is the nervous system dysregulation.
How to heal a crunchy sore neck that Amy be related to chronic TMJ, have tried pup physio etc, how can I heal my neck myself. Herbal and good exercises breathwork or whichever if it’s related to a nervous system issue. I just wake up in pain every day and it’s ruining my quality of life. Stretches and exercises and a guided hypnotism or meditation to heal that I can follow along with with affirmations


Creato da alumni della Columbia University a San Francisco
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Creato da alumni della Columbia University a San Francisco

Nia: Hey there, welcome to today's episode! I've been getting so many messages about neck pain lately, especially from listeners dealing with that awful crunchy, sore feeling when they wake up. And many of them mentioned TMJ issues too.
Miles: That's exactly right, Nia. What's fascinating is how interconnected our jaw and neck actually are. According to the research, if you have TMJ pain, you're almost certainly experiencing neck pain too—and vice versa. They're basically partners in crime.
Nia: Oh wow, I had no idea they were that linked! I always thought of them as separate issues.
Miles: Most people do! But here's what's really interesting—the muscles that control your jaw movement actually work in coordination with your neck muscles. So when one area gets tense or inflamed, it creates this domino effect.
Nia: That explains why so many listeners say they've tried treating just their neck or just their jaw with limited success. It sounds like we need a more comprehensive approach.
Miles: Absolutely. And the good news is we have some really practical techniques that can provide both immediate relief and long-term healing. We're talking about specific exercises, breathwork, and even some nervous system regulation practices that can make a huge difference.
Nia: I know our listeners are going to love this because neck pain can be so debilitating. One person wrote that it's literally ruining their quality of life—waking up in pain every single day.
Miles: That's all too common, unfortunately. But let's start with something they can try right now—a simple jaw relaxation technique that can immediately begin releasing tension in both the jaw and neck. Let's break down these practical exercises step by step...