Precise, therapeutic work for jaw tension, headaches, and chronic neck discomfort.
Jaw tension and neck pain are some of the most common issues I treat in Milwaukee, especially for people who spend long hours at a desk, clench their teeth, or carry stress through their face and shoulders. TMJ-related pain doesn’t just sit in the jaw—it's tied into how you breathe, how you hold your head, how your upper spine moves, and how your nervous system responds to daily demands.
My approach blends targeted therapeutic massage, intra-oral work, myofascial release, and precise neuromuscular techniques to help you unwind the patterns that keep your jaw and neck stuck in a cycle of tightness and pain.
Most people dealing with TMJ dysfunction or chronic neck tension have a mix of factors feeding their symptoms. Clenching or grinding, forward-head posture, long hours on screens, and stress-driven guarding all play a significant role. The jaw often becomes the body’s pressure valve—tightening whenever your system feels overwhelmed. When the neck becomes rigid or misaligned, the jaw follows, and vice versa.
In Milwaukee, I see this especially in clients who work corporate or remote jobs, students at UWM and Marquette, and anyone who juggles a high cognitive or emotional load. These patterns are common, but they are not “just how it is.” With the right kind of work, they can change.
Sessions focus on reducing strain through the jaw, neck, head, and upper spine using a blend of techniques backed by anatomy, movement science, and nervous system awareness. I draw from Precision Neuromuscular Therapy (PNMT), myofascial release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue techniques, intraoral TMJ massage, and cervical mobilization—applied gently and deliberately, not aggressively.
Work around the masseter, pterygoids, and temporalis helps reduce clenching and jaw locking. Releasing the neck and upper cervical muscles can ease headache pressure, improve head rotation, and reduce the tight, heavy feeling behind the eyes or at the base of the skull. I also work with the shoulders, ribcage, and breathing mechanics, since restricted ribs and shallow breathing significantly influence jaw tension.
This isn’t random deep pressure or “digging in.” It’s slow, precise bodywork that looks for the actual source of the pain and works with your nervous system—not against it.
Cupping can be a helpful addition for clients dealing with TMJ tension, neck pain, and headache patterns. Instead of pushing into tight areas, cupping gently lifts the tissue, creating space through the fascia and easing the constant pressure that contributes to jaw clenching and neck strain.
Around the TMJ and upper neck, I use small, controlled cups to decompress the masseter, temporalis, and cervical muscles without overwhelming sensitive tissue. This can reduce the dense, gripping quality that builds with clenching and help calm the tension that radiates into the temples or behind the eyes.
For headaches and upper spine tension, cupping along the neck, shoulders, and upper traps helps improve circulation, reduce protective bracing, and support better movement through the upper ribs and collarbone. Sessions stay slow, precise, and responsive so your system can relax instead of reacting.
Cupping isn’t about leaving marks or doing something intense—it’s about creating just enough space for the jaw and neck to move with less resistance and less pressure.
Clients often notice a clearer, lighter sensation through the jaw and temples, improved range of motion in the neck, and a drop in the constant background tension they’ve grown used to. Headaches may lessen in frequency or intensity, chewing may feel easier, and the jaw may click or catch less. Many people report feeling more grounded and less overwhelmed, simply because the nervous system is no longer fighting chronic tension around the face and spine.
For many Milwaukee clients who’ve tried everything—mouthguards, chiropractic, dentist visits—targeted therapeutic bodywork finally gives them the relief they’ve been missing.
This session is a good fit if you experience TMJ dysfunction, jaw clenching, tension headaches, migraines triggered by muscle tightness, neck pain, or upper spine strain. It’s also helpful for people recovering from dental or orthodontic work, individuals with stress-related tension patterns, and anyone whose posture or work habits contribute to discomfort.
The jaw does not exist in isolation. It reacts to posture, stress, breath mechanics, and the way the upper body organizes itself. That’s why each session looks beyond the jaw: the neck, shoulders, ribs, and head all play a role. By addressing the full pattern—not just one muscle—we create relief that lasts longer and feels more stable.
I work with clients from all over the Milwaukee area—Bay View, Riverwest, Shorewood, Wauwatosa, East Side, and the Third Ward—many of whom found me because they were searching specifically for TMJ massage, headache relief, or neck pain therapy when nothing else was helping. If you’ve been dealing with tension that disrupts your sleep, focus, or daily comfort, this work can help you move toward relief.
If your jaw, head, or neck pain has been keeping you stuck in a cycle of tension, I can help you break that pattern and feel more at ease.