Level 2 Cranial and TMJ: Integration Through the Body

Cranial & TMJ Level 2 builds directly upon the knowledge and practical skills introduced during Level 1. At this stage, we expand beyond the immediate TMJ and cranium to explore relationships between the:

• Cranium and cranial base.
• Jaw and facial structures.
• Tongue and hyoid.
• Neck and shoulders.
• Breath and upper body.
• Nervous system and pain.
• Wider body.

You will continue developing your hands-on techniques while becoming increasingly confident in assessment, consultation and adapting treatment to different presentations.

The aim is not simply to give you more techniques, but to help you become a more thoughtful and adaptable Cranial & TMJ therapist.

Building on Level 1, this course expands your understanding of Cranial & TMJ work beyond the immediate jaw and cranium, exploring how these areas exist within the wider body and the individual as a whole.

Throughout the course you will explore:

• The jaw and cranium – developing your understanding of TMJ function, cranial relationships, facial structures and patterns of adaptation.
• Hyoid, tongue, neck, shoulders and breath – exploring the important anatomical and functional relationships between these areas.
• Whole-body relationships – considering wider fascial and structural patterns without reducing them to simplistic cause-and-effect explanations.
• Nervous system and pain – understanding protective tone, persistent pain, sensitisation, stress and nervous system regulation.
• Headaches and migraines – different presentations, relevant jaw and cervical relationships, red flags and appropriate referral.
• Dentistry and the TMJ – considering dental history, orthodontics, occlusion, splints and other dental interventions.
• Assessment and clinical reasoning – developing more detailed consultation and assessment skills and learning to recognise patterns within the client’s wider history.
• Trauma-informed therapeutic practice – exploring consent, communication, client agency, practitioner presence and working sensitively with persistent or complex symptoms.
• Practical Cranial & TMJ techniques – refining your Level 1 skills and expanding your hands-on work into the face, hyoid, neck, shoulders and wider cranial system.

Students must previously have completed:

School of Bodywork – Cranial & TMJ Level 1

Level 2 builds directly upon the theory, anatomy and practical skills taught at Level 1, so a good understanding of that material is essential before progressing.

This is a blended-learning course combining pre-course online theory with two practical classroom days.

The online component allows you to explore the deeper theoretical material before attending, leaving classroom time free for:

• Practical demonstrations.
• Hands-on treatment.
• Assessment and palpation.
• Consultation and clinical reasoning.
• Discussion and case exploration.
• Developing and refining your Level 1 techniques.
• Introducing new approaches involving the face, hyoid, neck, shoulders and wider cranial system.

You do not need to memorise every anatomical detail within the theory. The purpose is to deepen your understanding and help you begin seeing the wider relationships within the body.

There is no formal practical examination for Level 2.

Learning is developed through completion of the online theory, discussion, clinical reasoning and supervised hands-on practice throughout the two practical days.

This workshop is a Think Tree CPD Approved course. Students receive a Certificate of Attendance recognising their continuing professional development.

Level 2 forms the second stage of our progressive Cranial & TMJ training pathway and prepares students for further advanced study at Level 3.

Do I need to complete Cranial & TMJ Level 1 first?

Yes. Level 2 builds directly upon the anatomy, principles and practical techniques taught during our Level 1 course.

Is Level 2 mainly about learning more jaw techniques?

No. There is plenty of practical work and you will develop your existing techniques further, but the biggest progression at Level 2 is beginning to understand the jaw and cranium within the context of the wider body.

Will we still work directly with the jaw and cranium?

Absolutely. They remain central to the training, but we expand our approach to include areas such as the face, hyoid, tongue, neck, shoulders and breath where appropriate.

Do you cover headaches and migraines?

Yes. We explore different headache presentations and the important distinction between headaches and neurological conditions such as migraine. We also cover red flags, scope of practice and when referral may be appropriate.

Is trauma covered?

We explore trauma-informed practice and consider how stress, overwhelm and nervous system regulation may influence protective patterns and the treatment experience.

We do not assume every jaw problem is trauma-related, nor are we providing psychological trauma therapy. The aim is to work sensitively and consider the whole person within our professional scope.

Do you cover dental work?

Yes. Dental history is an important part of Cranial & TMJ work, and we consider orthodontics, extractions, implants, splints, occlusion and other dental interventions within the wider clinical picture.