Hey, it’s Dr. Izzy here—your Sydney chiropractor (or your next chiro 😉).

If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain, clicking, clenching, headaches or migraines, you might assume it’s all coming from your jaw. And while the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) plays a big role, there’s often another major playerbehind the scenes that gets missed:

👉 Your upper cervical spine.

Yep, the top of your neck—specifically the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae—can silently affect your jaw mechanics, your bite, your posture, and even the tension around your skull. When things aren’t functioning well here, your body starts to compensate, and the first place it often shows up is your jaw.

The Jaw-Spine-Head Connection (It’s All Linked)

The TMJ doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s intricately connected to your head, neck, spine, and nervous system. Think of it like a pulley system—when one part is tight or off-centre, the whole system shifts.

If your upper cervical spine is misaligned or restricted, it can affect:

• The balance of your jaw
• The muscles of your face and neck
• The tension in your temples, eyes, and ears
• Even your bite pattern and breathing

It’s no coincidence that people with chronic jaw issues often report:
⚡ Ongoing headaches or migraines
⚡ Tension across the base of the skull
⚡ Clicking or clenching (especially during stress)
⚡ Neck stiffness and shoulder tightness

This is why looking at the jaw alone doesn’t always give you lasting relief. You have to assess the entire brain-to-body connection.

What’s Happening at the Upper Neck?

The C1 and C2 vertebrae sit right beneath the skull and house a critical part of the nervous system—the brainstem. Misalignments or fixations here can interfere with:

• Neurological input to the jaw and face
• Muscle tone regulation in the jaw and neck
• Balance and proprioception
• The autonomic nervous system, which controls your stress response

So, if you're clenching, grinding, or experiencing migraines, your upper neck may be driving the dysfunction—even if you don't feel pain in that area.

This Is Where Collaboration Matters

Here’s the truth: the best outcomes happen when we connect the dots—and that’s why at BRAIN TO BODY®, we work closely with trusted professionals who see the big picture.

When it comes to TMJ, jaw function, bite health, and performance, our go-to dentist is Dr. Lewis Ehrlich at Sydney Holistic Dental Centre.

Not only is he one of the most progressive minds in dentistry, but he’s also the one responsible for my own smile—and I trust him deeply.

Dr. Lewis doesn’t just look at teeth—he looks at how your jaw, bite, and breathing influence your posture, performance, and overall health. And that’s why working together—chiropractor + dentist—creates powerful, lasting change.

The BRAIN TO BODY® Approach: What We Do Differently

When clients come in with jaw pain, headaches, or upper cervical tension, we don’t just chase symptoms. We assess the entire neuro-structural system, including:
🔎 TMJ movement and tension
🔎 Upper cervical joint alignment and mobility
🔎 Posture and breathing mechanics
🔎 Neurological testing and movement patterns

If we see that jaw mechanics and bite alignment are part of the issue, we refer to Sydney Holistic Dental Centre to co-manage your care. Because true healing comes from integration, not isolation.

So… What If You’ve Tried Everything Else?

If you’ve had splints, massages, even Botox for jaw tension—and you’re still dealing with pain, tension, or migraines—this could be your body asking for a deeper solution.

✅ Get your spine assessed
✅ Get your jaw and bite professionally reviewed
✅ Stop trying to fix everything on your own

Your next best move might just be a team-based approach, with your dentist and chiropractor working together.

Ready to Get Started?

Book your visit at BRAIN TO BODY®, and let’s take a look at what your body’s really trying to tell you. If we believe it’s time to involve a dental specialist, we’ll connect you with Dr. Lewis Ehrlich at Sydney Holistic Dental Centre—so you get the expert care you deserve, on both sides of the jaw-spine equation.

Your jaw, neck, and nervous system will thank you.

See you in the studio,
Dr. Izzy
Sydney Chiropractor | Founder, BRAIN TO BODY®

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