01/08/2026
If your jaw feels tight, clicks when you chew, or you catch yourself clenching throughout the day 😬 - your body might be stuck in a protective state it hasn’t been able to come out of yet.
The jaw is one of the most sensitive areas when it comes to how your nervous system manages stress. It’s directly connected to your brain through several cranial nerves, including the trigeminal and vagus nerves - the same pathways that influence how you breathe, swallow, and calm your body after stress.
When your nervous system is in constant “go” mode, those cranial nerves stay overstimulated. The muscles of your face, jaw, and neck stay partially “on,” like your body’s holding its breath - ready for whatever might come next.
That’s why jaw clenching isn’t just a habit. It’s a sign of a system that doesn’t feel fully safe to relax yet.
Chiropractic care 👐 supports parasympathetic activation - the part of your nervous system responsible for rest, repair, and restoration. When your brain and body can finally shift out of that heightened state, the muscles begin to release naturally, your breathing deepens, and your jaw (and the rest of you) can finally let go.
Healing the tension you’re feeling is less about muscles, and more about teaching your body that it’s safe to relax again. 🧡