Maria Katrina Paras

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<p>If you’ve ever woken up with a tight jaw, nagging headaches, or unexplained facial tension, you’re not alone. For many, the culprit is the <strong>temporomandibular joint (TMJ)</strong>—the small but mighty hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. And while we often dismiss jaw pain as stress or teeth grinding, <strong>Dr. Chelsea Ignacio-Pinzon, dentist, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, and myofunctional therapist</strong>, believes the story goes much deeper.</p><p>“I’ve always believed that a ‘balanced smile’ comes from a stable gait and good posture,” she shares. “The head, neck, and jaw are intimately connected, and if you’re suffering with pain in one, we must address the others.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758508681990Metro Style Dr Chelsea Ignacio-Pinzon.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Dr. Chelsea Ignacio-Pinzon, a dentist and TMJ care specialist</span></span></span></div><p>As a former fitness enthusiast turned mother of two, Dr. Chelsea knows firsthand how the body operates as an interconnected system. For her, dentistry isn’t just about teeth—it’s about treating the body and emotions holistically. “Everything is connected through fascia and muscle chains,” she explains. “If one stays stuck and restricted, so does everything else. That’s why I don’t just release the jaw. I work through the body and all its connections. Relief isn’t about chasing pain in one area; it’s about treating the whole system, including our emotions.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TMJ, Explained Simply</strong></div><p>The TMJ isn’t just a medical term—it’s one of the most active joints in our body. “It allows us to open and close our mouth, chew, bite, speak clearly, and move our jaw side-to-side,” Dr. Chelsea says. However, when inflamed or misaligned, it can lead to a cascade of issues, including clicking jaws, stabbing ear pain, tinnitus, and even chronic headaches.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758509128789Metro Style TMJ Jaw Pain.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p><strong>In Traditional Chinese Medicine, jaw tension is also linked to imbalances in the gallbladder and stomach meridians, as well as stored emotions such as frustration and overthinking. </strong>“This is more than stress,” she adds. “Clenching can actually be your body’s survival response. At night, if you’re not breathing well, the jaw may clench or shift forward and back just to keep your airway open. You’re asleep, but your jaw is working overtime to help you breathe.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Facial Cupping: More Than Skin Deep</strong></div><p>For those seeking both relief and radiance, Dr. Chelsea often turns to facial cupping—an ancient practice with modern appeal. “Cupping boosts collagen production, improves blood circulation, relaxes fascia, reduces puffiness, and releases built-up tension in the head and neck,” she explains. The result? Not just a relaxed jaw, but a brighter, firmer, glowing complexion.</p><p>“When we do a jaw release, it’s not just about easing pain or loosening tight muscles; it’s about clearing what your body has been silently carrying — anxiety, anger, emotional trauma, chronic tension,” she says. “Facial cupping depuffs, tones, and firms the skin while giving that ‘ahhh’ moment of release.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758509350012Metro Style TMJ 1.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Facial cupping depuffs, tones, and firms the skin, while aiding in jaw release.</span></span></span><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>What to Expect in a Session</strong></div><p>A TMJ consultation with Dr. Chelsea is anything but rushed. She begins by asking about a patient’s stressors and symptoms, then examines jaw movement, checks for tenderness, and may recommend x-rays or photos for diagnosis.</p><p>For those open to facial cupping, she describes the approach as “where deep release meets sculpting, and where nervous system meets beauty.” She adds, “I’m not just working on your jaw and skin.<strong> I’m working with your muscles, fascia, lymph, and stress response. It’s structural sculpting, nervous system support, and deep muscle release all rolled into one.”</strong></p><p>The results vary, but when the source of tension is released, <strong>patients often describe feeling lighter, more relaxed, and free of stiffness and headaches. </strong>“That’s the moment I love most,” she admits. “When patients tell me they leave feeling better, more glowing from the inside out.”</p><p>When I had the facial cupping session with Dr. Chelsea, <strong>the home service setup was impressive, complete with a sturdy yet comfortable bed, a red light, and all her necessary tools and equipment</strong>. Her voice is calming, easily preparing me for the relaxation ahead. The session is a soothing and rejuvenating combination of <strong>cleansing, facial massage, cupping, and cold collagen mask treatment</strong>. Not to mention the constant red light therapy that uses low levels of red and near-infrared light to penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular activity to improve the appearance of wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne. Her massage techniques were firm yet gentle, showing mastery and precision in every stroke. It was blissful, and I noticed the instant lift right after.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758509453272Metro Style TMJ Before and After.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Post session, overall puffiness is reduced, my eyes &amp; skin are brighter, brows more lifted, and nose &amp;  jawlines are more defined.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Beyond Pain Relief: The Emotional Side of the Jaw</strong></div><p>One of the biggest myths, Dr. Chelsea notes, is that TMJ pain is purely physical. <strong>“The heaviest emotions aren’t always in the heart—they can be stored in the jaw,”</strong> she explains. “Stress, anxiety, depression, even past trauma can live in the muscles of the face. Over time, that stored tension affects not just your jaw, but your facial symmetry, your lymphatic flow, and your overall well-being.”</p><p><strong>Facial cupping, however, isn’t for everyone</strong>. She cautions those with active acne, recent fillers or surgery, or rosacea to avoid it. <strong>But for those who are good candidates, the results are transformative. “It’s by far the best natural anti-aging method</strong>,” she says with a smile. “No need for Botox or fillers. It’s an instant facelift.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Time To Be JAW-some!</strong></div><p>Stress, unsurprisingly, plays a starring role in jaw tension. “When your jaw is tight, it impacts everything—headaches, neck and shoulder tension, poor sleep, even brain fog,” Dr. Chelsea says. Her advice? <strong>Practice mindful habits daily, such as digital detoxes, meditation, posture checks, and simple jaw relaxation exercises, like resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth while breathing deeply. </strong></p><p>She also emphasizes collaboration with other wellness experts, from acupuncturists to physical therapists, to create a truly holistic approach. “There’s no one-size-fits-all. By combining Eastern and Western practices, we can tailor care to what the patient really needs.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TMJ Care Matters Now More Than Ever</strong></div><p>In our screen-heavy lifestyles, she’s noticed a sharp rise in TMJ cases. <strong>“Too much screen time gives us mental overload and subtle anxiety. For many, that tension goes straight to the jaw,”</strong> she notes. Forward head posture, endless scrolling, and teeth grinding under stress have all become too common.</p><p>Her advice for those who’ve lived with pain for years? “Book an appointment with a specialist. Jaw tension doesn’t just cause clenching; it affects your whole facial structure. Everything is connected, so it’s important to release all the surrounding fascia and muscles too.”</p><p>As for her own rituals, Dr. Chelsea keeps it simple: <strong>“Massage, facial cupping, and acupuncture are my favorites. They help me relax, release tension, and reconnect with myself.”</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758510865392Metro Style Dr Chelsea 2.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Dr. Chelsea’s methods are all about structural sculpting, nervous system support, and deep muscle release.</span></span></span></div><div><strong>The Takeaway</strong></div><p>TMJ care and facial cupping aren’t just about relieving pain—they’re about reclaiming balance, beauty, and breath. As Dr. Chelsea reminds us, “If your jaw feels tight or your face looks puffy, that’s your body telling you it’s time to release. <strong>When you let go, you don’t just feel lighter — you glow from the inside out.”</strong></p><div><br/></div><p>***</p><div><br/></div><div><em>For facial cupping, contact Dr. Chelsea at </em><a href="mailto:octo.performance@gmail.com"><em>octo.performance@gmail.com</em></a><em> or +63 998 551 8667. </em></div><div><em>For TMJ care and consultation, message </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558523740400"><em>Dentmate Dental Clinic. </em></a></div>

<p>The heaviest emotions aren’t always in the heart—they can be stored in the jaw.</p>

The heaviest emotions aren’t always in the heart—they can be stored in the jaw.

How TMJ Care and Facial Cupping Restore Your Face's Balance and Glow

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How TMJ Care and Facial Cupping Restore Your Face's Balance and Glow

Danah Gutierrez

Published Sep 22, 2025 11:00 AM PHT

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Updated Sep 22, 2025 11:28 AM PHT

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temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Facial Cupping

Dr. Chelsea Ignacio-Pinzon

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