The TMJ Handbook: A Therapeutic Guide to Relieving Jaw Tension and Pain with Yoga and Mindfulness

by Cator Shachoy

Alleviate TMJ pain with a powerful, integrative mind-body program that draws on yoga, mindfulness, and craniosacral bodywork and includes more than thirty instructional movements and eleven audio downloads.

In The TMJ Handbook, Cator Shachoy explains the anatomy and physiology of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)—what we commonly refer to as "TMJ." She unpacks the physical, emotional, and energetic reasons why this pain can occur and become so debilitating—including injury, stress and tension, emotional trauma, grief and rage, hormonal imbalances, among other causes. She then offers a unique and effective approach to reducing TMJ pain that combines yoga, massage, meditation, and craniosacral therapy. The TMJ Handbook delves into:

A definition and explanation of jaw tension and jaw anatomy
Headaches, stress, and trauma
Conscious healing touch and self-massage
Yoga poses and sequences

Shachoy shares inspiring and instructive stories of patients she has treated and empowers us with the knowledge and skills to help ourselves. This fully illustrated guide has more than thirty instructional movements and eleven audio downloads.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2024

Reviews

[Emily]

Although many practitioners attend yoga classes to relieve tension in their bodies, they frequently grit their teeth through challenging postures, so this book will surely bring a smile to their lips and relief to their heads with the wise approach it takes to using yoga and meditation to relieve TMJ. The book is well-organized and carefully illustrated, from its initial overview of TMJ and other forms of jaw tension, with illuminating details that remind readers all their physical systems work in an integrated way (spoiler: tense hips and feet impact the jaw!) through its clear explanation of how to start yoga and mindfulness practices for relief. The author’s deep knowledge gained through teaching yoga and practicing craniosacral massage comes through on every page, and she is careful in balancing her recommendations of alternative healing with conventional modalities (another spoiler: go to the dentist).

[Mollie Jenckes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book outstanding. An excellent and thoughtful review of a very important topic that can be overlooked among the many 'self help' concepts. These is so much to this book..It is comprehensive and detailed..also excellent and expert illustrations which really enhance the text. If it sometimes seems to be too much detail..in reflection it is all needed. The book also serves as an excellent resource over time..to re-read and gain further understanding and then as a valuable 'point look up'! Mollie

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book greatly aided my understanding of jaw tension causes. Thanks to detailed descriptions and illustrations I was able to immediately incorporate jaw tension-relieving yoga and mindfulness into my day.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. Mostly medical advice and stories from others. It’s not till the end that it’s even yoga related, and it many of them are things I already do for stretching. Some see helpful and wrote notes for, but otherwise reads more liked a medical textbook than anything else.

[Connie]

#GoodreadsGiveaway

I need this one so bad!

[Katie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful ❤️