Beyond the Bite: Airway–Jaw–Neck Integration

This 21-hour continuing education course equips physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, speech-language pathologists, myofunctional therapists, dental professionals, dental hygienists, massage therapists, and other allied healthcare providers with a comprehensive framework for understanding and managing patients experiencing headaches, craniofacial pain, and temporomandibular disorders. While grounded in the foundational principles of Dr. Mariano Rocabado, the course expands beyond traditional TMJ mechanics by integrating airway health, breathing patterns, and the compensatory behaviors that frequently drive chronic head and neck dysfunction.

Participants will explore the anatomical and functional relationship between the cervical spine, mandible, and airway system, with particular attention to how airway compromise and breathing dysfunction can contribute to clenching, bruxism, snoring, and persistent muscle tension. Through lecture, demonstration, and hands-on lab sessions, clinicians will learn to evaluate mandibular and craniocervical mechanics, recognize airway-related compensations, and apply manual therapy, postural correction, and neuromuscular re-education strategies to restore functional balance.

The course is designed to benefit professionals across different scopes of practice. Physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and dentists may directly apply manual assessment and treatment techniques. Speech-language pathologists and myofunctional therapists will gain insight into the cervical and mandibular mechanics that influence swallowing, breathing, and oral posture. Dental hygienists and massage therapists—who may encounter patients with chronic jaw tension, clenching, and head and neck discomfort—will learn to recognize common patterns of dysfunction, understand the role of airway instability in these conditions, and make more informed referrals to appropriate providers.

A strong emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration between rehabilitation professionals and dental providers, offering a practical framework for addressing the complex interaction between airway stability, cervical spine alignment, and occlusal forces. This integrated approach helps clinicians better support patients with headaches, TMD, cervical dysfunction, and airway-related compensations that are frequently overlooked in traditional treatment models.

Participants receive 21 continuing education hours upon completion of the course.

 Refund Policy: 100% refund with at least 14 days’ notice.
Cancellations within 14 days are subject to a 5% processing fee.

Dr. Jenny Hobson, PT, DPT, MTC, CFC, CMTPT
Dr. Jenny Hobson is a European-trained physical therapist with over 25 years of experience treating patients with chronic pain, headaches, and complex neck disorders. She earned her degree in physical therapy with a specialization in manual therapy from Hogeschool van Amsterdam in the Netherlands, followed by clinical internships in Holland and Madrid, and a residency in Advanced Orthopedics in Chicago.

Dr. Jenny holds certifications in Manual Therapy, Craniofacial Therapy, and Trigger Point Dry Needling, and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Florida. A pioneer in Illinois, Dr. Jenny helped introduce dry needling to Illinois in 2010, training under Dr. Jan Dommerholt. Fluent in Spanish, she continues her advanced studies in Santiago, Chile with Dr. Mariano Rocabado, a global leader in craniofacial rehabilitation. She is one of only two PTs selected to teach his approach through the University of St. Augustine.

With extensive expertise in Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT & IAOM) and breathing re-training, Dr. Jenny teaches patients how to use their mouths, jaws, and airways correctly to optimize function and reduce pain. She is a certified Buteyko Breathing educator (under Patrick McKeown) and trained in the Restorative Breathing Method by Dr. Lois Laynee, focusing on cranial nerve function and autonomic nervous system regulation.

A core focus of her work is stabilizing the airway, particularly the throat, which plays a critical role in maintaining neck posture, reducing bruxism, and relieving muscle and joint strain. Her integrative, airway-centered approach helps restore function and eliminate pain, rather than just managing symptoms.

At the Hobson Institute in Chicago, she treats patients of all ages—from infants to adults—for conditions including tongue-tie, mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, and sleep-disordered breathing. Her clinics also address the full-body impacts of dysfunctional breathing, including altered craniofacial growth, ribcage mechanics, and spinal alignment. Dr. Hobson is actively engaged in research on nasal release techniques for post-concussion syndrome and how dental appliances like the Aqualizer influence pelvic symmetry during gait.

She currently oversees three clinics in the Chicagoland area, where she continues to lead innovation in interdisciplinary, airway-focused physical therapy.

Dr. Jenny’s ultimate mission is to empower healthcare professionals across all disciplines to recognize and address airway compromise—shifting the current fragmented system into an integrated, collaborative model where every provider is equipped to identify, refer, or treat airway dysfunction as a foundational component of whole-body health. 

21 Continuing Education Hours available for Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, SLPs, RDHs, Myofunctional therapists and Dentists

• Learn to assess and properly treat TMJ and upper cervical dysfunction

• Develop a shared clinical language between the multidisciplinary team of PTs, Chiros, Osteopaths, Myofunctional therapists, Massage Therapists and Dentists.

• Gain confidence in Rocabado-based manual therapy and motor control techniques

• Enhance patient outcomes through interdisciplinary care

• Earn 21 continuing education hours

• Small group size for personalized instruction (limited to 32 attendees)

By the end of the course the participants will be able to (within their own practice act of their profession)

• Describe the functional relationship between the jaw, neck, and skull.
• Identify and assess common dysfunctions of the TMJ and craniocervical region.
• Develop interdisciplinary care plans integrating physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, massage therapists, myofascial trigger point therapists, speech-language pathologists, myofunctional therapists, and dentists.
• Integrate clinical reasoning for managing craniofacial pain, headaches, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
• Explain the progression of intracapsular TMJ disc pathology as an initial stage of dysfunction.
• Discuss how disc displacement can progress to an anterior disc subluxation.
• Review the effects of a descending occlusal problem on spinal and pelvic alignment.
• Discuss findings from the Aqualizer study demonstrating correction of iliac crest asymmetry secondary to malocclusion.
• Review ascending influences from leg length discrepancies to the head and neck.
• Predict the effects of oral bad habits in children and adults.
• Describe craniomandibular parafunction (teeth grinding) as a cause of micro-repetitive trauma.
• Explain how loaded gliding of the TMJ with systemic joint laxity contributes to progressive joint disc pathology and degenerative joint disease.
• Apply examination and treatment techniques to soft and hard tissues of the maxillofacial region with emphasis on correct force and direction to avoid injury.
• Explain the major causes of condylar height loss and resultant facial asymmetry.
• Identify signs and symptoms of vascular irritation affecting the TMJ.
• Apply manual and muscular techniques for disc subluxation treatment.
• Discuss the use of removable interocclusal appliances for joint stabilization.
• Apply Rocabado-based techniques, including the Roll Back and pain mapping strategies.
• Review airway stabilization techniques to reduce clenching and snoring.

This course is designed to equip physical therapists, chiros, osteopaths, SLPs, Myofunctional therapists and dental professionals with the tools to effectively assess and treat patients experiencing headaches and craniofacial pain. Grounded in the foundational work of Dr. Mariano Rocabado, the curriculum explores the anatomical and functional interrelationship between the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Through lecture, demonstration, and hands-on lab sessions, participants will learn to evaluate mandibular and craniocervical mechanics, use manual therapy techniques, and apply principles of motor control and movement re-education. The course strongly emphasizes interdisciplinary care and communication between PTs and dentists, providing a clinical framework that improves outcomes for patients with TMD, headaches, and cervical dysfunction.

A desire to grow as a clinician and collaborate with other disciplines.

For host partner opportunities for a PRIVATE COURSE for your staff and colleagues, contact us to learn about exclusive benefits for workshop hosting.  Please email admin@hobsoninstitute.com to inquire the minimum requirements for sponsoring a course in your city. 

1 instructor for the first 16 participants and an additional assistant 16-30 students.

• Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths treating patients with TMD, headaches, or cervical dysfunction

• Dentists managing patients with craniofacial pain or bite-related disorders

• Myofunctional therapists, SLPs, RDHs, Healthcare professionals interested in collaborative, integrative care models

• Providers seeking Rocabado-based training for improved interdisciplinary outcomes

Friday 3-8pm)  to Saturday (8-4:45pm) Course Schedule

Day 1

2:30 – 3PM Registration

3-3:30pm Introductions and Course Introduction

3:30 PM – 4PM Brief Anatomy Review

4-6 PM
Practical: Evaluation of the TMJ and Cervical Spine

• Postural assessment, spinal curves
• Pelvis alignment
• Hypermobility testing
• TMJ joint and mouth ROM assessment
• Pain provocation tests
• Cervical spine joint and ROM

6:00 – 6:30 PM – Snack Break & Question and answers

6:30 -7pm Practical Review of the Rocabado 6X6 exercise program.

7-8PM Review of Cervical spine techniques

• Upper Cervical Sidebending C2-C3
• Downglides and upglides
• PA glides

8PM Adjourn for the evening

Day 2

8:00 -8:30am Questions and Answers about Day 1

8:30– 9:30 AM
Lecture: Brief review of Pain Mapping, Myofascial Trigger point Referred Pain Patterns, and Disc Pathology

• Myofascial trigger points and referred pain patterns
• Disc displacement and diagnostic criteria
• Airway management for snoring, clenching, and bruxism
• Review of current research on bruxism and airway correlation

9:30 AM – Questions and Answers

9:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Practical: Craniofacial and TMJ Treatment Techniques

• Cranial loading and pain mapping
• Facial muscle palpation and soft-tissue differentiation
• TMJ manual therapy: long-axis distraction, medial/lateral glides
• Stabilization and proprioceptive training for the TMJ

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch Break

1:00 – 3:00 PM
Lecture & Practical: Managing TMJ Conditions and Related Pathologies

• Facial asymmetry and degenerative changes
• Hypermobility, inflammation, and degenerative joint disease
• Muscle pain and inflammation management
• Dry needling applications demonstrations for facial and cervical muscle pain

3:00 PM – Questions & Answers

3:15 – 4:45 PM
Practical: Disc Displacement and Functional Rehabilitation

• Manual techniques for disc displacement correction
• Hyperboloid exercises for range of motion
• Rocabado “Roll Back” technique
• Review, Q&A, and hands-on troubleshooting