Workshop – San Juan – November- 2025

Description

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 7th – 9th, 2025:

3 Day – N.A.R.K. For The Head, Neck & Jaw

In this intensive 3-day training, explore the structural and neurological drivers behind temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, Forward Head Posture (FHP), and Upper Cross Syndrome. Deepen your understanding of how cranial nerves, masticatory muscles, and cervical mechanics interact to influence autonomic regulation, chronic pain patterns, and postural distortion.

Using the Neuro Articular Regenerative Kinetics (N.A.R.K.) system, you will learn to assess, mobilize, and retrain dysfunctional jaw and cervical movement patterns—bridging the gap between manual therapy and long-term postural correction. This course blends evidence-informed strategies with practical application for improving outcomes in clients dealing with pain, dysfunction, or performance plateaus.

Achievable Goals:

• Assess and treat TMJ, cranial, and cervical dysfunctions contributing to Forward Head Posture and Upper Cross Syndrome.

• Recognize the neurologic contributions of cranial nerves (CN V, VII, IX, X, XI) to motor tone, sensory integration, and autonomic balance.

• Understand the interconnected roles of masticatory muscles, cervical stabilizers, and respiratory structures in postural compensation and dysfunction.

• Apply the N.A.R.K. system to mobilize, release, and retrain the jaw-neck complex for pain reduction and postural control.

• Integrate clinical findings into functional treatment plans that restore breathing mechanics, sensory-motor timing, and structural alignment.

Learning Objectives:

• Define:
  Clarify the neuroanatomy and biomechanics of the TMJ, hyoid, cranio-cervical junction, and upper thorax. Discuss how dysfunction in these regions alters proprioception, coordination, and vagal tone.
• Assess:
  Perform layered assessments of TMJ mobility, cervical ROM, muscular tone of the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids, and evaluate fascial restrictions. Utilize cranial nerve screenings and postural breath analysis to inform clinical decisions.
• Bridge:
  Correlate clinical signs of jaw and cervical dysfunction with symptoms such as headaches, clenching, dizziness, visual strain, sympathetic dominance, and poor motor control.
• Release:
  Use manual therapy interventions—both intraoral and extraoral—to mobilize restricted tissues, normalize joint mechanics, and release neurofascial restrictions in the cranial, cervical, and hyoid regions.
• Reeducate:
  Apply N.A.R.K.-based neuromuscular reeducation techniques to restore motor coordination between jaw, neck, and shoulder girdle. Reinforce new patterns with graded postural drills and sensory-motor cues.
• Motivate/Movement Plan:
  Develop movement-based strategies that help clients transition from relief to resilience. Build programs incorporating breath retraining, postural endurance, and cranial-cervical integration for active daily living and high-performance function.

Contents:

Essential knowledge:
• Forward Head Posture (FHP) and its effect on anterior and posterior muscles.
• The role of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) in postural control and muscle tone.
• The relationship between FHP and Upper Cross Syndrome.
• The impact of joint dysfunction, including articular cartilage degradation and arthritis, on posture.

Medial knowledge:
• Mechanisms of pain mediation through the serotonergic pathways.
• Inert tissues and their role in movement dysfunction, including ligaments, joint capsules, and cartilage.
• How spinal mechanics and muscle tightness influence postural alignment.
• The relationship between muscle tone, muscle fiber type, and force production as we age.

Additional knowledge:
• The concept of compensatory patterns (ipsilateral and contralateral) and their impact on posture.
• How spinal restrictions (like C1-C2, C2-C3 dysfunction) affect the neck, shoulders, and movement patterns.
• The role of the cerebellum in regulating muscle tone and the implications for clients with right motor dominant patterns.

Course Format: 

Delivery: 70% Hands-On; 30% Lecture w/ Presentation

Presentation: Interactive with Case Studies, breakout sessions and videos.

Videos: Instructor-created videos as well as fun and informative videos from within and out of the industry.

Production: State of the art audio and visual equipment; multi camera setup (when applicable)

Hours: 8:30am Setup; 9am Start; 6pm End; 1 Hour Lunch & Breaks Included

Level: Entry – Intermediate

Language: English

Credits: NCBTMB Approved 8 CEs Per Day

Materials Needed:

• • Note taking supplies
• • Comfortable exercise clothing
• • Therapy table
• • Towel (small, long, workout style)
• • Sheets
• • If you have any or any like it, PKT gear such as lighter resistance therapy bands for arms and knee, yoga mat, and proprioceptive pad. We will have some for sale before and after each day as well as some for use during each day. You can find info on this gear on our shop page: Templehp.com/pkt-shop

Course Enrollment Instructions:

• • Signup in 1 of 3 ways
  • • Adding it to your cart above and checking out through the website
  • • Call our office to pay over the phone (Installments available: 865.288.4412)
  • • Or Email if you have any trouble with the above options: Info@templehp.com
• • Wait for a confirmation email
  • • Includes Further Details:
    • • Location
    • • Date
    • • Times
    • • Hotel Group Room Rates (If Applicable)
    • • CE Information
    • • Materials to Bring
    • • Refund Policy
• • Email info@templehp.com with any questions.