Craniosacral therapy for the Face

Craniosacral therapy is often sought for issues relating to the cranium (the skull) and the face.

1.     TMJ issues

The temporomandibular joint or TMJ is the joint that lies between the temporal bone and the mandible or lower jaw bone. A misalignment of any of the temporal bones, the parietal bones, the sphenoid bone or the occiput will force the TMJ out of its optimal position, causing stiffness and pain. The craniosacral therapist can alleviate pain at the TMJ, reduce clicking or popping, and restore smooth mobility of the jaw.

TMJ issues are commonly caused or exacerbated by anxiety, by clenching of the jaw or bruxism (teeth grinding), which are brought on by stress. Since Craniosacral therapy helps to regulate the nervous system and lower anxiety levels, it helps the jaw to relax and drop down, freeing the TMJ of mechanical stress.

Chronic TMJ issues usually involve painful spasms of the masseter, temporalis, lateral pterygoid and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Craniosacral therapy helps to release the tightness of these muscles  and a craniosacral therapist can safely perform intraoral holds to directly access and release pterygoid muscle tension deep within the mouth, if required. This helps the patient to easily open his mouth, where restricted and increases the range of motion.

TMJ and the muscles around it

The jaw and its alignment are affected by the structures that lie within the neck and the cervical spine, including the hyoid bone in the throat and the thick muscles that attach to it. Forward head postures (common amongst those who work on computers for long hours) pull the mandible backward and load the TMJ, causing pain and stiffness.

The actress, Brooke Shields is a vocal advocate for Craniosacral therapy, having received it to address her TMJ issues.

Brooke Shields successfully treated her TMJ disorder with Craniosacral therapy

2.     Cranial nerves

Our nine cranial nerves are housed within the cranium. Each has a vital function ranging from the optic nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve that facilitates swallowing and feeding, the vestibulocochlear nerve that regulates our sense of balance, the vagus nerve which facilitates respiration, heartbeat and digestion, the trigeminal nerve and the facial nerve that ennervate the muscles of the face. Structural issues of the head and neck can impinge upon a nerve root that arises from the brain stem, disrupting the function of the cranial nerve and causing nerve pain or palsy. Trigeminal neuralgia for instance, causes sharp shooting pain in the face, and Craniosacral therapy is one of the few manual therapies that can help with this. Read about how Craniosacral therapy cures chronic pain conditions like this one at Craniosacral Therapy Treats Chronic Pain

Craniosacral therapy can alleviate Trigeminal Neuralgia

3.     Head and neck issues that affect the face

Strained or pulled muscles of the neck will affect the muscles and structures of the face. For instance, the levator scapulae muscles extend from the shoulders, through the neck, up the sides of the head into the face and when triggered, cause a lot of pain in the eyes, face and head. The sternocleidomastoid muscles that are used for chewing extend from the mastoid process below the jaw through the neck and attach at the clavicle or collar bone, above the chest. Craniosacral therapy can address the root cause of the complaint and release the entire large muscle to bring relief from pain or stiffness.

4.     Structural issues arising from the birth process

When the fetus travels through the narrow birth canal during childbirth, huge compressive forces are exerted on its body, particularly on the skull, as it moves head-first towards the exit. Often at birth, we can see the facial asymmetries that result. Read about how Craniosacral therapy helps infants with these birth injuries at Craniosacral therapy helps infants and children recover from birth injury When the sphenoid is compressed, one can see an asymmetry in the eye orbit and the maxillae. A compression within a temporal bone will affect the ears, the jaw, the sides of the face. The most common compression of the cranial base within the occiput is far more subtle and less visible, but it will affect many of the structures of the face, and even the whole body.

Over time, some of these can self-correct during the growth process of the child. Sometimes however, they do not, and the imprint of the birth pattern remains within the bones that have ossified to form the mature adult face. The patient may have pain or stiffness that cannot be explained, since they are unaware of these misalignments. The sphenoid bone articulates closely with 12 other cranial bones – it is the keystone that locks the structures of the cranium together. A misalignment of the sphenoid bone will directly affect the face, head and neck, causing headaches, pain and discomfort. A misalignment at the sphenobasilar joint that connects the sphenoid to the occiput will affect the entire body through the long chains of connective tissue and fluid dynamics. Craniosacral therapy is unique in being able to address and work with bony compressions arising from the birth process, even in adult individuals.

Craniosacral therapy is also commonly used

·      to address vestibular issues relating to balance by working on the structures of the inner ear. Mary Ellen Clark, an American diver and two-time Olympic bronze medallist has publicly attributed her recovery from debilitating vertigo and her return to competition, to her craniosacral treatments. Read about how Craniosacral therapy treats vertigo at Craniosacral therapy treats Vertigo

·      to alleviate pain caused by dental surgery, orthodontic work and issues of the palate

·      recovery from injury to or surgery on the face or cranium. NFL superstar footballers Ricky Williams, George Visger,  Markus Koch and Terrelle Smith have credited Craniosacral therapy with successfully treating their severe head and neck trauma. Watch the video here https://www.instagram.com/reel/DlaweVDx-zq/?igsh=MXJyd2t1bmF2YnlpYw==

Ricky Williams, star athlete, recovered from severe head trauma after getting Craniosacral therapy

·      to drain congested sinuses by improving fluid drainage

·      for its aesthetic side effects. Chronic stress causes facial muscles to contract, which can restrict local blood flow and accelerate the appearance of fine lines or deep wrinkles. Releasing this deep-seated tension can relax facial expressions, improve vascular circulation to deliver skin nutrients, and promote a softer, more symmetrical appearance. See some pics of our patient before and after receiving 6 sessions of Craniosacral therapy here.

Correcting facial asymmetry with Craniosacral therapy

The human face is the interface between our inner and outer worlds. We use our face and the sensory organs within to communicate, to see, to hear, to taste and to speak. The human being is a designed to be a social animal - like all mammals, we are designed to regulate our nervous systems by social engagement - the face is our primary tool for exercising this skill. Specialists in the field of trauma advocate social engagement techniques to resolve PTSD and traumatic stress. At Craniosacral Care with Niyati Nath, we use the newest Craniosacral techniques informed by cutting edge research in the field to work with the structural and psychosocial issues of the human face. We have a special certification for working with the face, received at an international training in Italy in 2025 from the acclaimed training institute, ICSB. The face contains an intricate network of bones, muscles, nerves and sense organs, as well as representing our very sense of self and facilitating interpersonal communication, both verbal and non-verbal. One needs to work delicately and with great finesse to support these vital functions, and this is something that we can offer you.

Read our client testimonial under the head “Trauma” from a survivor of head trauma from a brutal attack at https://www.craniosacral.care/items/trauma