One of the things I hear a lot in clinic is:

“My jaw is always tight.”
Or
“I wake up clenching.”

Sometimes people know they do it.
Sometimes they only realise when we start working around the neck, jaw or TMJ area and they suddenly feel how much they’ve been holding.

Jaw tension is often linked with stress, overthinking, pushing through, or feeling like you always need to “hold it together”.

And the thing is, the jaw doesn’t work alone.

When the jaw is tight, I often see:
• neck tension
• headaches
• shoulder tightness
• shallow breathing
• that feeling of always being “on”

A lot of people are trying to relax mentally, but the body is still physically bracing.

That’s where Bowen can help differently.

Rather than forcing release, Bowen gives the nervous system a chance to settle, which can help the body stop holding so tightly through the jaw and surrounding muscles.

Something you can try at home

One simple thing I often suggest:

Place the tip of your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth.

Then:
• let your teeth slightly separate
• soften your jaw
• take a slow breath out longer than your breath in

Most people notice straight away they were clenching without realising.

You can also gently massage just in front of the ears in small circles while slowly opening and closing the mouth.

Sometimes the jaw is less about the jaw itself…
and more about what the body has been carrying.

If you’ve been dealing with jaw tension, clenching, headaches or neck tightness, Bowen may help support your body to reset.