Could the Reason for night clenching of the jaw be linked to computer overuse?
In the past couple weeks I discovered this action that i have created, and viewing it as an unwelcomed habit, due to all the complications its linked to. With countless restless nights, waking up to my body disrespecting itself. My jaw clenches, teeth grinds and feel like as if I am having a nightmare. Realizing this isn’t self-love or care.
What is going on? Am i stress out more than usual? No. So than i started to research on the science behind clenching and grinding of the jaw, in order to begin the healing process.
About 10 percent of adults clench and/or grind their teeth while sleeping and some don’t even know that they are doing it. This filthy habit can cause serious harm to your body including wearing enamel, headaches, ear pain, and creates misalignment. All this pressure puts strain and aggravates the muscles in the lower jaw, TMJ (temporomandibular joint).
Lesson 101 on TMJ
The temporal bone and mandible connect at the temporal mandibular joint, TMJ. To help locate this joint, lightly place two fingers directly in front of your ears and open and close your mouth. The muscles that work on opening and closing the jaw pull on the skull and neck. And muscle tension in the jaw transfers to your neck and sends to your throat, shoulders and even the pelvic floor.
A major symptom/side effect of bruxism or clenching is neck pain, yuck! I hate neck pain! So restricting of movement and plays with our emotions. Our neck is made up of tiny muscles which allows us to move our heavy craniums. These tiny muscles are called the sub occipitals.
Suboccipitals are so Cool!!
Why? You ask.
Close your eyes, place two fingers lightly to the space where your neck meets your noggin, press lightly though. Now, move your eye balls around, like as if you’re watching a fly buzzin' around. You’ll notice a relaxed fluttering movement of the suboccipital muscles. Be patient you’ll feel it. This motion helps with maintaining balance as vision sends nerve pulses to this location of the brain.
Now, that you’ve located your coolest muscle in the cranium. Repeat the same exercise from above. With open eyes, find an object to stare and narrow your vision like focusing on a computer screen. Add pouting of the lips and harden the facial muscle as if you’re angry. What do you notice with your subocciptal muscle now? Very slightly the muscle of your neck spasms and tension is created.
Okay!! Erica what does this have to do with TMJ and clenching???
Well, the TMJ and suboccipitals are obviously connected, like our whole bodies. With this connection i came back to my own clenching issues. I asked myself, "Are you on the computer too much lately, more than usual?" Answer was a 'Yes!"
With all this being said, is our devices and overuse connected to TMJ syndrome, bruxism (grinding) and clenching?
Moving forward with this extremely long entry. We now noticed the relaxed neck muscle compared to the computer operating tense muscle. Very simple when the suboccipital muscles are tense all day, than they have no time to relax, muscle has memory. So when we lay our heads to rest the muscles only know to clench and tense up.
Prevention and Prognosis
Steps that I have been performing on a regular to reduce my clenching;
1. Massage your TMJ area
2. Consciously unclench your jaw during the day
3. Meditate and practice to relax the facial muscles
3. Reduce the use of devices
4. Exercise earlier in the day
Is it possible that we have been missed advice from our trusted doctors that not just stress, and previous trauma is the reason for TMJ issues?? That maybe computer overuse and holding tension in the face could be the major factor.
So if you’re experiencing clenching at night or during the day try reducing computer usage, and please inform me on the results.
Happy Jaw Health!!
Best regards,
The Movement Junkie
Now with all this being said, being at my computer to write this, I will need 3 hours of mediation and mindfulness ;)
In the past couple weeks I discovered this action that i have created, and viewing it as an unwelcomed habit, due to all the complications its linked to. With countless restless nights, waking up to my body disrespecting itself. My jaw clenches, teeth grinds and feel like as if I am having a nightmare. Realizing this isn’t self-love or care.
What is going on? Am i stress out more than usual? No. So than i started to research on the science behind clenching and grinding of the jaw, in order to begin the healing process.
About 10 percent of adults clench and/or grind their teeth while sleeping and some don’t even know that they are doing it. This filthy habit can cause serious harm to your body including wearing enamel, headaches, ear pain, and creates misalignment. All this pressure puts strain and aggravates the muscles in the lower jaw, TMJ (temporomandibular joint).
Lesson 101 on TMJ
The temporal bone and mandible connect at the temporal mandibular joint, TMJ. To help locate this joint, lightly place two fingers directly in front of your ears and open and close your mouth. The muscles that work on opening and closing the jaw pull on the skull and neck. And muscle tension in the jaw transfers to your neck and sends to your throat, shoulders and even the pelvic floor.
A major symptom/side effect of bruxism or clenching is neck pain, yuck! I hate neck pain! So restricting of movement and plays with our emotions. Our neck is made up of tiny muscles which allows us to move our heavy craniums. These tiny muscles are called the sub occipitals.
Suboccipitals are so Cool!!
Why? You ask.
Close your eyes, place two fingers lightly to the space where your neck meets your noggin, press lightly though. Now, move your eye balls around, like as if you’re watching a fly buzzin' around. You’ll notice a relaxed fluttering movement of the suboccipital muscles. Be patient you’ll feel it. This motion helps with maintaining balance as vision sends nerve pulses to this location of the brain.
Now, that you’ve located your coolest muscle in the cranium. Repeat the same exercise from above. With open eyes, find an object to stare and narrow your vision like focusing on a computer screen. Add pouting of the lips and harden the facial muscle as if you’re angry. What do you notice with your subocciptal muscle now? Very slightly the muscle of your neck spasms and tension is created.
Okay!! Erica what does this have to do with TMJ and clenching???
Well, the TMJ and suboccipitals are obviously connected, like our whole bodies. With this connection i came back to my own clenching issues. I asked myself, "Are you on the computer too much lately, more than usual?" Answer was a 'Yes!"
With all this being said, is our devices and overuse connected to TMJ syndrome, bruxism (grinding) and clenching?
Moving forward with this extremely long entry. We now noticed the relaxed neck muscle compared to the computer operating tense muscle. Very simple when the suboccipital muscles are tense all day, than they have no time to relax, muscle has memory. So when we lay our heads to rest the muscles only know to clench and tense up.
Prevention and Prognosis
Steps that I have been performing on a regular to reduce my clenching;
1. Massage your TMJ area
2. Consciously unclench your jaw during the day
3. Meditate and practice to relax the facial muscles
3. Reduce the use of devices
4. Exercise earlier in the day
Is it possible that we have been missed advice from our trusted doctors that not just stress, and previous trauma is the reason for TMJ issues?? That maybe computer overuse and holding tension in the face could be the major factor.
So if you’re experiencing clenching at night or during the day try reducing computer usage, and please inform me on the results.
Happy Jaw Health!!
Best regards,
The Movement Junkie
Now with all this being said, being at my computer to write this, I will need 3 hours of mediation and mindfulness ;)