Managing jaw tension and pain.

Do you suffer from jaw pain, often referred to as TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) pain? Clench or grind your teeth? You’ll know if you do. Perhaps your dentist has already told you so too.

Did you realise that jaw clenching and jaw pain are common stress and tension-related problems. 

Now let me ask you, where is your tongue inside your mouth as you read this? Is it plastered to the roof of your mouth like peanut butter?

If you discovered YES, then this is a sign of tongue tension. Who knew tongue tension was a thing?!

Tongue tension is a common habit that goes hand-in-hand with jaw clenching and pain. 

When you clench your teeth and your tongue is plastered on the roof of your mouth you actually limit movement in your jaw and upper spine, which in turn reduces movement of your head and neck in everyday functioning.

Have a think about how these symptoms might affect you in your daily life. 🤔

Here are a few suggestions:

• nodding or shaking your head easily

• turning to look at someone talking to you

• looking over your shoulder to change lanes when driving

Tips:

Try these tips to release jaw and tongue tension, and in doing so, enhance your sense of comfort and freedom of movement of your head and neck for everyday functioning.

➡️ Imagine there’s a space between your top and bottom back teeth, like you have a hard lolly stuck there and you can’t close your jaw. As you do this, focus on gently creating a sense of space inside your mouth.

By creating space between your back teeth, your tongue will have room to soften a little and gently settle in the floor of your mouth; soft, full without pushing on anything. As a result your lips may also slightly part as you breathe.

You may feel like your jaw is wide open but trust me it’s absolutely not.

This will start to release both jaw and tongue tension. Your jaw will thank you and your neck will start to too. 😄

➡️ Clench your jaw then start gently slowly nodding or shaking your head. Then release the jaw clenching (think lolly between your back teeth) and repeat the process of nodding/shaking.

Notice how the mobility of your neck is affected by jaw tension. The less tension in your jaw, the more mobility in your neck AND the less jaw pain. Win win!

Feel the connections between your jaw, your tongue and your ability to move more easily and be more comfortable in your body.

➡️ Keep checking in throughout the day as to where your tongue is inside your mouth. No doubt you will catch it plastered on the roof of your mouth.

Now you recognise this, gently soften the pressing against the roof so that your tongue starts to soften and gently fill your mouth without any pressing.

Feel how your jaw now starts to release a little. You may also notice that as you do this, you automatically take an easy fuller breath.

Enjoy exploring with these tips. The more often you spend a couple of minutes checking in and noticing these habitual behaviours and try these tips, the more likely and faster the change to easier, freer and more comfortable movement of your jaw, head and neck in everyday activities.

Want to learn more strategies for releasing jaw pain and tongue tension? Click on the button to learn about related upcoming workshops.