Beyond the Bite: Airway, Jaw & Neck Integration – Hobson Institute

Despite appropriate clinical care, many patients continue to present with persistent pain and dysfunction. This course, led by Dr. Jenny Hobson, explores contributing factors related to airway instability and its impact on the pharyngeal system, postural alignment, and craniofacial function.

With completion of over 20 years of training, this interdisciplinary continuing education course examines the relationship between airway function, cervical spine mechanics, and craniofacial pain presentations, with emphasis on integrating airway assessment and stabilization concepts into clinical practice for patients presenting with headaches, TMJ dysfunction, bruxism, and sleep-related symptoms.

Participants will be introduced to a clinically applicable framework for evaluating airway-related dysfunction and incorporating these findings into treatment planning. The course also addresses the relationship between airway compromise, cervical posture, and mandibular function.

Instruction is based on interdisciplinary principles developed through clinical training and collaboration in craniofacial pain and airway-focused care.

Course Topics Include:

• Cervical–mandibular relationships and craniofacial function
• Airway instability and its role in chronic pain presentations
• Postural influences on TMJ and craniofacial mechanics
• Bruxism, parafunction, and airway-related dysfunction
• Interdisciplinary treatment planning and clinical integration

Jenny Hobson, DPT, a European-trained physical therapist, has extensive expertise in manual therapy, craniofacial rehabilitation, breathing and oral posture training. As one of only two physical therapists in the U.S. selected to teach Dr. Mariano Rocabado’s methods through the U of St. Augustine Florida where she earned her doctorate, she brings unparalleled insights into airway dysfunction, breathing mechanics, and postural stabilization. Her advanced training in TMD, Buteyko breathing, spinal posture correction, and airway rehabilitation provides invaluable strategies for early intervention in pediatric patients. She treats both the adult and pediatric patients at the Hobson Institute in Chicago at her 3 locations.  Dr. Jenny has many courses available online for patients and medical providers to learn about how to identify and stabilize the airway, treat TMD, sleep disordered breathing and tinnitus.  She teaches the Rocabado TMD physical therapy  method to PTs and Dentists and is teaching her Intro to Airway Eval & RX to all medical providers through the Hobson Institute.