Unclench
Take a moment to consider your clenching habits.
If you’re like most people, you’re not even aware that you have been clenching your jaw, shoulders, fists and hips.
Many of our physical discomforts can be traced back to the body parts we hold in a state of tension. Below is a brief primer on how to trace from symptoms to muscles chronically tightened.
A clenched hand tightens muscles that can contribute to:
Elbow and wrist pain
Carpal tunnel-like symptoms
Numbness and tingling in the fingers
Weak grip
A few of the many symptoms associated with jaw clenching include:
Headaches
TMJ pain
Tooth aches
Tinnitus
Difficulty swallowing
Clenched low back and buttock muscles create characteristic patterns including:
Low back pain
Sciatic-like symptoms
Numbness and tingling in the leg
Not sure how to unclench?
Counterintuitive but effective. Clench tighter. Your muscles will fatigue and release.
Stretch your muscles in the direction opposite from which they are clenching. Open your mouth wide. Reach out with your fingers. Lie on your back and pull your knees into your chest.