The Sacrum–TMJ Connection: How Your Tailbone Can Affect Jaw Alignment
Most people think of jaw pain (TMJ issues) as something that starts in the head or face. But according to the work of Jean-Pierre Barral and Dr. John Upledger, the sacrum — the triangular bone at the base of your spine — plays an important role in how your jaw aligns and functions.
The Sacrum and the Dural Tube
Running from the inside of your skull all the way down to your sacrum is a protective sheath called the dura mater. This “inner lining” of the nervous system keeps the brain and spinal cord supported. The dura attaches firmly at the sacrum, meaning that any tension or restriction here can travel upward through the spine and influence the bones of the skull.
The Role of the Temporal Bones
At the top of this chain are the temporal bones, located at the sides of your head. These bones form part of the joint where your jaw (TMJ) hinges open and closed. When the sacrum is restricted — from posture, pelvic imbalance, or injury — the resulting pull through the dural tube can subtly shift the temporal bones. Even small changes here can impact how the jaw tracks, leading to tension, misalignment, or pain.
A Two-Way Street
Just as restrictions at the sacrum can affect the jaw, strain at the jaw can also travel downward through the same system. Jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or TMJ dysfunction can create compensations that ripple down into the neck, pelvis, and sacrum. This interconnectedness is why practitioners trained in CranioSacral Therapy often assess and treat both ends of the system.
Why This Matters
Understanding the sacrum–TMJ connection helps explain why local treatment at the jaw alone may not always resolve symptoms. By addressing the whole craniosacral system — from the foundation at the sacrum to the intricate mechanics of the temporal bones — therapists can support more lasting relief.
Your jaw and your tailbone might seem worlds apart, but they are linked through one continuous system of membranes and fascia. As Barral and Upledger highlighted, when the sacrum moves freely, the whole system — including the TMJ — has a better chance to function smoothly and without pain.
