Gritting your teeth and how to release it via Reflexology
Stress seems to be one of the most common reasons why people come for reflexology. So many people are gritting their teeth and possibly grinding their teeth at night too. This can lead to facial pain, tooth ache and headaches.
The temporo mandibular Joint (TMJ) is the area where to mandible connects to the skull (temporal region). Some refer to the whole area as the jaw. The actual joint is a key area when relating to both skeletal and energetic tension. When a person is tense they may automatically tense this area and be unaware of what they are doing. As the saying goes “grit your teeth and get on with it”.
There are so many ways of accessing the reflex points in your feet and some use a firm pressure and others use a lighter touch. One way of releasing the tension is to use Gentle Touch™ Reflexology, a simple and effective treatment that supports the person’s ability to heal themselves.
In Gentle Touch™ Reflexology the reflex area for the temporo mandibular joint (TMJ) can be found on both the hands and feet. On the hand the reflex point it is midway along the thumb and on the feet it is midway down the big toe (hallux).
On the hand it is located at the middle joint of the thumb. This joint (metacarp-phalangeal joint) represents the reflex point for the TMJ and when massaged can relieve facial and jaw tension. You can practice this for yourself. Slightly bend your thumb and with the other hand, place your thumb on one side of the joint and your first finger on the other and gently massage both sides the actual joint. The pressure should be light enough to be very comfortable (no pain) and enough to be slightly moving the area around the joint (rather than just the skin). Use a gentle rotational movement.
On the foot it is accessed using two fingers placed either side of the big toe/hallux at the joint (metatarso-phangeal). Use a gentle, yet positive touch to massage the actual joint and this can help to release facial tension and free up the energy in around the jaw.
An imbalance here will have a knock on effect to the whole of the skeletal and energetic systems. When tension can be released from here, it can help to improve many other signs and symptoms ranging from anxiety and sinus problems to shoulder and back pain. It is not unusual for people to discover that someone who has skeletal i.e. back pain or sinus pain also grinds their teeth. Working this area can also make a big difference to people.
People may experience an improvement in:
- Facial comfort
- Hearing improves
- Balance is restored
- Teeth and gums repair and heal faster
- Reduction on severity or number of headaches
- Facial numbness lessens
- Reduction of tension across their face
- Circulation and skin tone throughout the face
- Sinuses clear
- Shoulder and neck tension lessens
- Back problems improve
- Hip and knee pain reduction
- Energy levels rise.
For more information on other Gentle Touch™ Reflexology techniques please see www.suericks.com