TMJ/TMD

Free Your Jaw — and the Rest of You

Relieve jaw tension, improve mobility, and ease related pain.

Jaw pain, clicking, or tension can radiate through your head, neck, and even your pelvic floor — but relief is possible.

We Treat

  • Jaw pain or tenderness in TMJ joints

  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds

  • Difficulty chewing or opening your mouth

  • Jaw locking, headaches at temples or skull base

Key Facts

  • General Population: TMJ disorders affect approximately 5-12% of the population.

  • Women vs. Men: Women are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop TMJ disorders than men.

  • Age Group: The highest prevalence is among women aged 20-40.

  • Severe Cases: Chronic and severe TMJ disorders (often requiring medical intervention) are 9 times more common in women.

Why Women Are More Affected

  • Hormonal Influence: Estrogen may affect the TMJ and pain sensitivity.

  • Hypermobility: Women have greater ligament laxity, which can contribute to joint instability.

  • Higher Prevalence of Bruxism & Stress Disorders: Clenching and grinding are often linked to TMJ dysfunction.

TMJ & Pelvic Floor Connection

  • Fascial Link – Jaw, diaphragm, and pelvic floor are interconnected.

  • Posture – Poor alignment affects pelvic stability.

  • Stress Response – Clenching and pelvic tension often coexist.

  • Breathing – Dysfunctional breathing disrupts core-pelvic function.

  • Shared Conditions – EDS, fibromyalgia, and anxiety impact both.

Our Approach

We use joint mobilization, soft tissue release, and posture training to reduce strain, restore jaw mobility, and ease related discomfort. Here are all of the ways PT can help:

Manual Therapy

  • Joint Mobilization: Gentle hands-on techniques improve TMJ movement and alignment.

  • Soft Tissue Massage: Relieves tension in the jaw, neck, and surrounding muscles.

  • Myofascial Release: Targets trigger points in the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles.

Exercises for TMJ

  • Controlled Jaw Movements: Improves coordination and reduces clicking or locking.

  • Isometric Strengthening: Builds muscle support around the joint.

  • Tongue and Posture Training: Helps maintain proper jaw positioning.

Postural Correction

Many TMJ issues are linked to poor neck and head posture. PT addresses:

  • Forward head posture (which strains the jaw)

  • Upper back and neck alignment

  • Ergonomic corrections for daily activities

Pain Management

  • Cold/Heat Therapy: Reduces inflammation and muscle tightness.

Education & Habit Modifications

  • Avoiding excessive gum chewing, nail-biting, and jaw clenching

  • Relaxation techniques to reduce stress-related jaw tension

  • Breathing exercises to decrease jaw tightness

Coordination with Other Providers

  • Collaboration with dentists for bite alignment or splints

  • Working with orofacial pain specialists for complex cases

Your First Visit

  • Detailed history + TMJ assessment

  • Immediate manual therapy and posture strategies

  • Many notice improvement after the first session

Direct Access

No referral needed—California law gives you direct access to physical therapy. You can book with us anytime.

Insurance & Rates

We operate out-of-network to provide the highest quality care without restrictions.

  • PPO plans: Pay at the time of service; we’ll provide a superbill you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement (typically 30–90%).

  • HSA/FSA: Accepted.

  • HMO plans: These plans generally do not reimburse for out-of-network care, but many patients still choose to see us for the high-quality, specialized care we provide.

  • You can view our current rates anytime in the scheduling tool.

Improve jaw mobility and reduce discomfort—start your treatment today.

*Booking Note: For TMJ/TMD issues, book with Aly or Naz.

Jaw Pain and Pelvic Issues? They're Connected.

Download our one-pager to learn how TMJ and pelvic health are linked.

  • "Five huge shiny stars for the ladies of Healthy Pelvis! Dealing with pelvic health is so delicate and these expert practitioners strike just the right tone to help you recover your pelvic floor muscle tone. Whether you’re seeking help for pelvic pain, postpartum recovery, or general pelvic floor health, their holistic and evidence-based approach fosters both healing and confidence. I felt truly cared for and empowered throughout my treatment. Thank you Healthy Pelvis! 🙏💖🫐"

    B.E.

  • "I cannot recommend Sonia highly enough! She was an absolute lifesaver during my second pregnancy and postpartum journey. If you're looking for a pelvic floor physical therapist who truly makes a difference, especially during pregnancy and postpartum, Sonia is amazing!"

    S.Y.

  • "Aly Tisthammer has been great for me and I always look forward to our next session. She is knowledgable, patient, and kind. I would highly recommend her for Physical Therapy!"

    M.T.

  • "Run, don’t walk, to an appointment with Tanya. I just completed a workout that, this time last year, I completely failed—thanks to my uncooperative pelvic floor. Turns out, you do need a functioning pelvic floor to get through a boxing-style workout with jump rope, double unders, kicks, and jumping jacks for a full hour. I’m happy to report it was 100% improved thanks to Tanya’s clear, easy-to-understand exercises. Do yourself a favor and book the appointment!"

    V.R.

  • "I was referred to Aly for persistent shoulder and knee joint pain stemming from a history of sports injuries. She’s been phenomenal at identifying the underlying causes and prescribing targeted exercises to improve my mobility and strengthen key muscle groups. I would highly recommend her for a wide range of physical therapy needs!"

    R.S.

  • "Tanya quite simply provides amazing healing. She’s knowledgeable, skilled, and kind. She strikes a great balance between being respectful and approachable, without being overly serious. Her treatment was impressively effective, and I wish more women knew this kind of care was available."

    C.B.

  • "Working with Sonia really helped me postpartum. She takes the time to really understand how one can best activate their pelvic floor, for me it was a lot of visual cues. I feel like I’m able to work out again and more intentionally. I learned so much about the importance of taking care of my pelvic floor for long term health! I so appreciated her professionalism and kindness! Thanks Sonia!

    T.T.

  • "I feel more confident and equipped to handle whatever comes my way, thanks to Tanya. If you're struggling, don’t settle for a dysfunctional pelvic floor—get the help you need. Highly recommend!"

    T.C.

  • "I really enjoy working with Dr. Aly! I started treatment with her after my C-section, following a diagnosis of moderate diastasis recti by my OB. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. I’ll definitely be returning to her in the future!"

    A.C.

  • "Incredible experience with Tanya for improving my pregnancy sciatica. After just two sessions, my pain is significantly reduced and I feel stronger. I really appreciate Tanya’s warm and attentive energy in each session. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!"

    J.H.

  • "I’ve been working with Dr. Aly to strengthen my pelvic floor following major surgery. From the start, she made me feel completely at ease—she’s a great listener, incredibly patient, positive, and highly skilled. Her deep knowledge and care have helped me make great progress.

    L.S.

  • "Tanya had me walking again after excruciating hip and back pain in my third trimester left me crawling up the stairs at night. The treatments had tremendous immediate impact and felt great too. I feel ready to take on birth next and am looking forward to more sessions. Thank you!"

    K.N.

  • "Working with Tanya at Healthy Pelvis has been nothing short of magical! I went to Tanya 8 weeks postpartum and within minutes of meeting her, she had diagnosed my pelvic floor issues. After a few short weeks of treatment, I feel a world of difference in my strength, core and energy. Thank you for all your help and support in my recovery!"

    S.V.

  • "Highly recommend Healthy Pelvis! They are professional, helpful and really care about their patients!"

    J.F.

  • “Healthy Pelvis has been a great place to start physical therapy and recovery after my caesarean. I was uneducated and uninformed about recovering after giving birth so I was very happy to come across Healthy Pelvis. I'd highly recommend giving this place a try. I work with Dr. Aly and she gives me a program that works best for me and I'm sure she will for you too, whatever your goals are.”

    J.V.

  • "I’m so glad I found Healthy Pelvis and Aly! I didn’t realize they treat more than the pelvic floor. I have had pain in my big toe from arthritis for many years and it was getting to the point where I was considering surgery. Someone recommended reaching out to Healthy Pelvis and I’m so glad they did! In addition to manual therapy in the office, I have been able to reduce the amount of pain through muscle building exercises at home. I feel so relieved that I don’t need to consider foot surgery anymore. Aly is an extremely knowledgeable PT and is a lovely person as well. I highly recommend Healthy Pelvis!"

    T.J.

  • "I found Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy during a time when there were unknowns about my bladder health, including a working diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. Aly immediately put me at ease with her knowledge and empathy. After a few sessions I was feeling exponentially better both mentally and physically. I am now continuing my progress with the tools Aly gave me. I am so thankful I found this place!!"

    K.B.

  • "Not only did Tanya provide exceptional care during sessions, but she also equipped me with valuable tools and exercises to continue my progress at home. Thanks to her guidance, I've noticed a significant improvement in my pelvic health and overall well-being. If you're seeking a pelvic physical therapist who is knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated to your health journey, look no further than Healthy Pelvis.

    W.W.

  • "Tanya at Healthy Pelvis has really changed my life. I thought bladder control was something I would never get back, but my expectations were quickly exceeded. Tanya is fun, patient, and makes discussing a sensitive topic really straight forward. The exercises were manageable and effective. I am pleased to say that I have graduated from the program with success! I definitely recommend Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy."

    J.F.