Jaw exercises can be powerful tools in somatic practices for releasing trauma because the jaw is often a site of tension and stress storage, especially in people who have experienced trauma.
Here’s why jaw exercises can help:
1. Connection to the Nervous System
The jaw is closely connected to the autonomic nervous system, which governs our fight, flight, freeze, and rest responses. Trauma can cause chronic activation of the fight-or-flight system, and tension in the jaw is one way this activation manifests. By releasing tension in the jaw, the body can signal to the nervous system that it’s safe to relax, helping to down-regulate the stress response.
2. Stored Emotions
Many people hold emotional tension in the body, and the jaw is a common place for this to accumulate, especially for unexpressed emotions like anger, frustration, or fear. The jaw’s function in speaking and biting may symbolically represent unspoken feelings or a need for defense. Gentle stretching, massaging, and releasing the jaw can help release some of this stored emotional tension, allowing the body to process and integrate the trauma.
3. Muscle Memory and Somatic Release
Trauma often gets “stuck” in the body as muscle memory. When the jaw is tight, it can inhibit natural movement and expression, including facial expressions, which are crucial for social engagement and emotional regulation. Jaw exercises help to relax these muscles, which can also help free up emotional expression, allowing the body to let go of stored trauma in a non-verbal way.
4. Grounding and Awareness
Jaw exercises help you reconnect with your body by bringing attention to areas that may have been tense or dissociated. This can bring a greater sense of embodiment, making you more aware of physical sensations. Through this awareness, you can begin to feel more grounded and present in your body, which is key to healing trauma.
5. Facilitating Relaxation
Working on the jaw can activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” state), which is essential for healing. Exercises like gently opening and closing the mouth, massaging the jaw, and mindful breathing can reduce hyperarousal in the nervous system, creating a sense of calm and safety. This relaxation facilitates trauma release over time.
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