If you tend to clench your jaw throughout the day like I do, then this quick and easy self-massage technique will help. Clenching your jaw increases your stress levels and can cause both headaches and teeth damage. It may surprise you that this simple habit can have long-term consequences. So relaxation is important!
Whenever I catch myself clenching, I use this strategy. Place your palms on the side of your face, a la Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. Match up the heel of your thumb (the meaty part of your palm under your thumb) and the masseter (jaw muscle). Open your mouth slightly and create some space between your upper and lower teeth. While applying the even, equal pressure on both sides, slowly and gently pull down with the palm, massaging over the jaw muscle. Always use a balanced amount of pressure on both sides to avoid pushing your jaw out of alignment, which puts undue stress on the joint.
Do this 3-5 times with varying the amount of pressure and feel your whole jaw and head relax.
Give it a try!
Jenny R.
Jenny is NYS Licensed Massage Therapist who graduated from Finger Lakes School of Massage in 2003. Her integrative massage style blends deep tissue and connective tissue therapies to restore balance to the body and relax the mind. Jenny specializes in focused massage work based on the client and their particular conditions and especially enjoys working with those who have pain related issues of the hips, back, and neck where she can help bring significant pain relief. She also performs Swedish, pre- and postnatal, and hot stone massages.