Why the Mouth is So Important
When we experience stress, it's common for our muscles to tense up, including those in our face and jaw. This tension can lead to the formation of wrinkles and lines in the skin, particularly in areas like the forehead, around the eyes, and the mouth. One common example of this is the furrowed brow, where the muscles between the eyebrows contract and create vertical lines in the forehead. This can happen when we're concentrating, squinting, or feeling anxious or angry. Over time, these lines can become deeper and more noticeable, especially if we habitually furrow our brows.
Similarly, clenching or grinding your teeth, which often occurs during times of stress, can lead to tension in the muscles of the jaw and face. This can cause headaches, jaw pain, and even damage to the teeth and gums over time. It can also contribute to the development of vertical lines around the mouth, commonly known as "marionette lines," as well as deep wrinkles in the cheeks and chin. In addition to creating physical changes in the face, this tension can also make it difficult to let go of stress and relax. When our muscles are tense, our bodies are essentially in a heightened state of arousal, which can make it harder to unwind and feel calm. This can contribute to a vicious cycle of stress and tension, as the more we tense up, the more stressed we feel, and the harder it becomes to release that tension.
Bruxism, or clenching and grinding of the teeth, can affect several muscles in the face and jaw. The muscles most commonly involved in bruxism are the masseter muscle, temporalis muscle, and the lateral pterygoid muscle. All three of these muscles are addressed in session 8 of the ATSI 12 series or in the optional fifth session of the Hip Series that focuses on balancing out the top end of the spine once the bottom end is aligned.
The masseter muscle is located at the side of the jaw and is responsible for moving the jaw during chewing. When you clench your teeth, this muscle can become overworked and tense, leading to pain and discomfort in the jaw. This muscle is one of the most powerful muscles in the human body and is responsible for the movement of the jaw during chewing and biting. It is a thick, flat muscle located at the side of the jaw and is divided into two parts - the superficial masseter and the deep masseter. The superficial masseter muscle is located on the surface of the jaw and is responsible for elevating the mandible (lower jaw) when biting down or chewing. The deep masseter muscle is located underneath the superficial masseter and is responsible for assisting the superficial masseter in elevating the jaw.
During bruxism, or clenching and grinding of the teeth, the masseter muscle can become overworked and tense, leading to pain and discomfort in the jaw as well as wrinkles and deep lines in the face. Over time, this can cause the muscle to become enlarged and hypertrophied, leading to a condition known as masseter hypertrophy. Masseter hypertrophy can cause the face to appear wider or more square-shaped, particularly at the angle of the jaw.
The temporalis is a broad, fan-shaped muscle located at the side of the head above the ears and is responsible for opening and closing the jaw during chewing and speaking. Like the masseter muscle, this muscle can become tense and overworked with bruxism, leading to headaches and jaw pain. It is divided into three parts: the anterior, middle, and posterior temporalis. The anterior temporalis muscle is located at the front of the head and is responsible for elevating the mandible (lower jaw) when biting down or chewing. The middle temporalis muscle is located in the middle of the head and is responsible for pulling the mandible back towards the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during chewing. The posterior temporalis muscle is located at the back of the head and is responsible for retracting and elevating the mandible.
During bruxism, or clenching and grinding of the teeth, the temporalis muscle can become overworked and tense, leading to pain and discomfort in the jaw and head. This can cause the muscle to feel tight and tender to the touch and can contribute to the development of headaches, earaches, and facial pain. Over time, repeated episodes of bruxism can cause the temporalis muscle to become hypertrophied or enlarged, leading to a condition known as temporalis muscle hypertrophy. This can cause the face to appear wider or more square-shaped, particularly in the temporal region.
The lateral pterygoid is a small, flat muscle located at the back of the jaw just behind the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It is moves the lower jaw (mandible) from side to side during chewing and speaking. When this muscle becomes tense or overworked, it can contribute to pain and discomfort in the jaw joint. During bruxism, or clenching and grinding of the teeth, the lateral pterygoid muscle can become overworked and tense, leading to pain and discomfort in the jaw and head. This can cause the muscle to feel tight and tender to the touch and can contribute to the development of headaches, earaches, and facial pain. Over time, repeated episodes of bruxism can cause the lateral pterygoid muscle to become hypertrophied or enlarged, leading to a condition known as lateral pterygoid muscle hypertrophy. This can cause the face to appear wider or more square-shaped, particularly in the region of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
In addition to these specific muscles, bruxism can also cause tension to travel down the neck and shoulders, leading to pain and discomfort in these areas. Overall, it's important to be mindful of the ways in which stress can manifest in our bodies, including in the muscles of our face and jaw. By releasing this tension through awareness, structural integration, physical therapy exercises or relaxation techniques, we can help release tension and reduce the physical and emotional effects of stress on our bodies.
Remember, there are ways to prevent the development of stress and strain patterns in the jaw and face. By learning proper lifting techniques, practicing relaxation techniques, and cultivating mindfulness, you can avoid the problem before it even begins. This is just one of the many aspects that sets our instruction apart from others.