If you spend your Tuesday nights at a BJJ gym in Parramatta or Rydalmere, you’re familiar with the “stack.” It’s that lovely moment where your opponent drives your knees toward your ears, and your entire spine resembles a C-clamp.
While we often worry about our lower back or neck in this position, there is a “silent” victim: Your Jaw (TMJ).
The Anatomy of the Stack
When you are compressed, your neck muscles (specifically the SCM and Scalenes) go into overdrive to protect your airway and spine. Because these muscles share a “fascial” highway with your jaw, that tension travels upward.
If you find yourself clenching your teeth while defending a pass, you are creating massive amounts of pressure in the Temporomandibular Joint. Over time, this leads to:
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Clicking or popping when you eat.
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Waking up with a “tired” jaw.
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Headaches that start at the temples.
The “Tongue-Up” Drill
One simple way to protect your jaw while rolling is to practice proper tongue posture. By placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth (just behind the front teeth), you create a “pneumatic” support for your jaw. This makes it much harder to clench instinctively when you’re under pressure.
The Fix: If your jaw is already “locking,” manual therapy to release the masseter and pterygoid muscles can provide instant relief. Don’t wait until you can’t open your mouth for your post-training acai bowl.
Click here to book in an assessment now: https://recovery-physio.au1.cliniko.com/bookings?appointment_type_id=488955
