[Health Column] Facial Asymmetry: More Than Just a Jaw Problem? — Why Cervical and Whole Body Imbalances Matter

hello, Director Moon Ji-hwan of Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital no see.

When I look in the mirror The chin appears slightly tilted to one side , there are times when the facial contours appear subtly different.

Many people find this simple temporomandibular joint problems I think Roman, Actually, it's higher than the face 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae (topmost part of the neck) It plays an important role in the center axis and balance of the face. .

Even a slight misalignment of this area can have a cascading effect on the tilt of the skull, the position of the jaw, and even the balance of the left and right sides of the face.

👉 Why the upper cervical spine is the key to facial asymmetry

👉 Why Facial Asymmetry Is Linked to Systemic Problems

👉 How is it approached in Oriental medicine? I will share it with you.

Why do small changes in the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae affect the face?

👉 The most important structure that holds the center of the head, if the upper cervical spine shakes, the facial alignment may also change.

The upper cervical spine (cervical vertebrae 1 and 2) is a key area that supports the head and determines the central axis. no see.

Even a slight shake in this alignment changes the tilt of the skull, and that change Jaw position/jaw joint movement can have a direct impact on
The movement of the head moving forward when opening the mouth wide and backward when closing it is also This reaction is possible because the upper cervical spine holds the center are you.

✔️ So, on the outside, it looks like only the jaw is crooked, but the actual starting point is upper cervical spine It could be.
✔️ That is, when looking at facial asymmetry, it comes first before the chin. It is important to check the alignment of the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae. do.

How can muscle tension around the temporomandibular joint lead to asymmetry?

👉 Change in head center axis → Change in muscle tension → Asymmetry of jaw movement can be connected to

The temporomandibular joint moves most stably when the muscles on both sides are balanced.

but If the upper cervical spine is misaligned The center of the head shifts slightly,

That change Tension in the muscles around the jaw It also affects.

When one side of the muscle is more tense and the other side is weaker, The lower jaw is pulled in a certain direction Asymmetrical movement or position change may appear.

✔️ Because the skull is a structure made up of several interlocking bones, Even small changes in tension can be seen more clearly in the facial contours.
✔️ In the end, It is not just a problem with the jaw, but rather a result of cervical alignment and muscle balance working together. It could be.

Facial asymmetry, is it really just a facial problem?

👉 Facial asymmetry can be a sign of systemic imbalance.

Imbalances in the upper cervical spine affect not only the face, but also Shoulder-spine-pelvis-legs This can trigger a chain of changes that affect the environment.

Because your body continually creates compensatory movements to maintain balance, changes such as:

🔸 Shoulder heights appear different
🔸 Persistent stiffness in the neck and trapezius muscles
🔸 Imbalance in the distribution of strength between the left and right sides of the waist and pelvis
🔸 Imbalance in which the leg length feels different
🔸 Increased headaches and eye fatigue

✔️ That is, Asymmetry in the face = a sign of body misalignment It could be.
✔️ So There are limitations to an approach that only corrects the face. It can happen.

So how should we approach this in Oriental medicine?

We look at it not only in terms of the face and chin, but also in terms of the ‘whole body flow’.

In Oriental medicine, the face is not considered in isolation, but rather the balance of the flow and function of the entire body is considered important.
To relieve tense muscles and imbalanced fascial flow Acupuncture and herbal medicine This is utilized to control the tension of the muscles throughout the body. An environment that does not cause excessive stress around the chin We aim to create.

Also, if the upper cervical alignment is disturbed,
Considering the flow from spine to pelvis to cervical spine to skull Spinal Alignment Restoration Surgery This can be utilized,
It is explained that assistive devices such as impression machines, hammer correction rods, and correction stones can be helpful in this process.

✔️ The key is 👉 An approach that stabilizes the alignment of the entire body, not just the face.
✔️ It makes sense to increase the possibility of functional improvements.

	bone surgery	Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital Facial asymmetry correction	General manual massage
Correction principle	By cutting and moving the upper and lower jaws, the facial changes are focused only on the chin area, and the eyebrow height and cheekbone position may be different.	The entire facial baseline, including the eyebrows, eyes, cheekbones, corners of the mouth, and jawline, is corrected as the skull and jawbone shape return to their original healthy positions.	Massage of the skin and muscle layers cannot move the misaligned bones.
Treatment method	Surgery is performed under anesthesia and through incision and osteotomy.	Correct even the slightest misalignment using corrective tools.	Stimulates skin meridians and acupuncture points to promote circulation
Treatment time	3-4 hours	About an hour	About an hour
Treatment effect	Focus on external changes such as facial reduction and asymmetry correction	Simultaneously resolves external changes such as facial reduction, asymmetry correction, and V-line as well as treatment effects such as temporomandibular joint disorder and whole body distortion.	Improves blood circulation and improves skin and muscle layer asymmetry
Recovery period	About 2 weeks	No disruption to daily life	No disruption to daily life
side effect	Facial paralysis due to sagging cheeks, pain, and tissue damage, etc.	There is little concern about side effects as it is a fundamental treatment that restores the bones to their original position.	If received incorrectly, the condition may worsen.
Recurrence	In cases of facial asymmetry caused by poor posture and body shape deformation, it is difficult to resolve the problem by simply shaving the bone, so there is concern about recurrence.	There is little concern about recurrence as the entire structure is restored properly rather than just the problematic part being treated.	There is concern about recurrence as only local areas such as muscles and skin layers, not the dislocated bones, are treated.

FAQ

Q1. Will facial asymmetry be resolved immediately if I just correct the upper cervical spine alignment?

A1. Results may vary depending on individual body alignment, muscle tension, and lifestyle habits.

Restoring upper cervical alignment is meaningful in creating an environment that can help restore facial balance, and an approach that views the whole body flow together is more beneficial.

Q2. Does everyone with facial asymmetry need treatment?

A2. Not everyone is a candidate for treatment. Natural left-right differences exist for each person, and unless they cause daily discomfort or functional problems (pain, limited jaw opening, jaw clicking), treatment is not necessarily necessary.

However, if the asymmetry becomes more severe or is accompanied by temporomandibular joint discomfort, a professional evaluation may be helpful.

conclusion

Facial asymmetry is simply Problems with the face and chin only Rather, the result is that the flow of the whole body alignment is revealed on the face. It could be.
especially The 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae are key structures that form the central axis of the head. , changes in this area can affect the balance of the jaw and face.

✔️ Rather than correcting only the face,
✔️ It is important to look at the whole body alignment and muscle flow together. do.

If asymmetry is recurring or temporomandibular joint discomfort persists, we recommend that you seek professional advice to examine overall alignment. The approach that understands the body as a single connected structure is The first step toward a deeper understanding and management of facial asymmetry. no see.

Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital Gangnam Branch

Director Moon Ji-hwan

Graduated from Kyung Hee University College of Oriental Medicine

Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Doctoral Program

Visiting Professor, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University

Former Director of Sasang Medical Banryong Oriental Medical Clinic

Former Director of the Department of Oriental Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Geriatric Hospital

Executive Director of the Korean Society of Spinal Orthopedics

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Medicine

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Internal Medicine

Member of the Korean Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine