Chronic Neck, Jaw Pain, and Headaches: An Integrative Case Study with Wayne Villeneuve, MSPT
Living Well Center for Integrative Health – Essex Junction, VT
Case Study: Chronic Neck Pain, Jaw Pain & Headaches
Clinician: Wayne Villeneuve, MSPT
Patient: 52‑year‑old Chittenden County resident
Primary concerns: Chronic neck pain, TMJ/jaw pain, and headaches related to stress and previous injuries
A Little About Wayne Villeneuve, MSPT
Wayne, a consummate professional in the field of Physical Therapy, has a rich educational background. He successfully completed his Master's degree in Physical Therapy from the revered Ithaca College, a renowned institution that helps aspirants reach their optimum potential and acquire the necessary skills in their chosen fields. This foundation propelled Wayne toward a fulfilling career in Physical Therapy.
Before Care at Living Well
This patient came to Living Well Center for Integrative Health after years of neck tension, jaw discomfort, and headaches that had not fully responded to prior care. Stress, past injuries, and prolonged postures often led to flare‑ups, disturbed sleep, and difficulty getting through a full day of work and home responsibilities. Chronic neck pain and headache conditions can be complex, and evidence supports multifaceted approaches that combine manual therapy, exercise, and education rather than relying on a single intervention.
Evaluation and Integrated Plan
Wayne completed a thorough evaluation of cervical mobility, muscle tenderness, posture, jaw motion, and headache patterns, as well as the patient’s stress load and daily habits. Assessment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and upper cervical mechanics is important, because research suggests that dysfunction in these regions can contribute to both jaw pain and headache symptoms.
Based on this evaluation, the team developed an integrative plan that included:
Postural restoration®–oriented exercise
Coordinated chiropractic care focused on spinal mobility and alignment
The goals were to reduce headache frequency and intensity, ease neck and jaw pain, and improve sleep and day‑to‑day comfort.
Craniosacral Therapy for Chronic Neck and Head Pain
Craniosacral therapy (CST) uses very gentle manual techniques to address tension and sensitivity in the head, neck, and surrounding tissues. A randomized trial in people with chronic neck pain found that CST produced greater reductions in pain intensity and improvements in disability and quality of life than a light‑touch sham intervention, with benefits lasting up to 3 months after treatment. A systematic review and meta‑analysis also suggests that CST can have meaningful effects on pain and function for people with various chronic pain conditions, although more high‑quality studies are needed.
Craniosacral Therapy for Chronic Neck and Head Pain
In this case, CST was used to help reduce neck and head sensitivity, support relaxation, and create a window of relief so the patient could better tolerate postural and TMJ‑focused exercises.
Postural Restoration® Exercise and TMJ/Neck Mechanics
Wayne incorporated postural restoration–style exercises aimed at improving alignment of the head, neck, ribcage, and jaw, along with targeted strengthening and breathing work. Research on neck and shoulder strength training combined with postural correction indicates this type of approach can reduce headache frequency and improve function in people with chronic primary headaches.
Because the patient also experienced TMJ/jaw pain, exercises and manual techniques were coordinated to support both cervical and TMJ function. Evidence suggests that combining manual therapy to the upper cervical spine with TMJ‑directed interventions can be more effective for pain reduction and jaw opening than routine treatment alone. Physiotherapy approaches for temporomandibular disorders commonly include education, postural correction, manual therapy, and specific exercises tailored to jaw and neck mechanics.
Privacy Notice: All case studies are fully anonymized and represent common conditions treated at Living Well. Identifying details have been generalized to protect patient privacy while highlighting real-life improvements for patients in the greater Chittenden County area.