Do you wake up with a sore jaw or stiff neck? Catch yourself clenching your teeth during the day?
You’re not alone, and it’s not just a bad habit. Jaw clenching (bruxism), neck tension, and poor posture are often signs your nervous system is stuck in stress mode. When we’re stressed, the body holds tension especially through the jaw, neck, and shoulders.
How Stress Triggers Bruxism
Bruxism is often linked to ongoing stress, poor sleep, and shallow breathing. Over time, this creates a cycle of tension that’s hard to break. Many people don’t realise they’re clenching until pain or fatigue sets in.
What We Do in a TMJ Session
Our approach focuses on calming the nervous system and releasing deep tension through the jaw and neck.
- Vagus nerve stimulation using the Sensate device to shift your body out of “fight or flight”
- Dry needling to release the masseter, suboccipitals, upper traps, and levator scapulae
- Myofascial release around the jaw, neck, and shoulders
- Breathwork to ease tension in the chest and upper neck
You’ll also leave with simple breathing exercises to do before bed, helping reduce clenching and support better sleep.