The Emotional Drivers of Teeth Grinding and TMJ
In this episode of The Mind Change Podcast's emotional drivers series, Heather McKean dives into the hidden emotional roots behind TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) and teeth grinding (bruxism). While TMJ and bruxism present as distinct issues, Heather reveals that both often stem from the same unprocessed feelings and unspoken truths.
Heather explains how physical symptoms in the jaw can mirror experiences of being silenced, unheard, or restricted from expressing one’s feelings, often beginning in childhood. Common emotional drivers include growing up in environments where children were “seen but not heard,” where expressing oneself led to criticism, or where perfectionism and control were constant expectations. This inability to communicate freely can cause unprocessed emotions like frustration, fear, and anger to manifest as jaw pain, clenching, or grinding—our bodies’ way of “chewing on” these unresolved issues.
Additionally, Heather explores how TMJ and teeth grinding may signify a deep internal conflict between one’s public and private selves, or an imbalance between masculine and feminine energies, each contributing to physical tension. By bringing these subconscious beliefs to light, you can gain clarity on how you might be replaying old patterns in your adult life, unconsciously inviting circumstances that reflect these unresolved issues.
Tune in! Mind Change provides tools and techniques to help you release emotional burdens and find lasting relief from physical symptoms. With guided support, you can learn to reprogram the subconscious, clearing out the emotional and physical blocks holding you back.
If you’re ready to dive deeper, our online courses are here to support you every step of the way. Each course includes two sessions with a trained practitioner, access to a supportive community, and live mentoring calls with us to provide you with the tools you need for lasting healing.
In this episode, you will learn:
😬 Learn how TMJ and teeth grinding (bruxism) are linked to emotional drivers.
🦷 See how the jaw and teeth symbolize processing life, setting boundaries, and handling emotions.
🤐 Find out how suppressed self-expression, especially in childhood, can create jaw tension.
👫 Discover how jaw alignment reflects masculine and feminine energy balance.
📢 Uncover how unresolved anger and frustration manifest physically as jaw tension.
🚫 Understand how critical or perfectionistic environments may contribute to TMJ by silencing expression.
🔄 Recognize how holding onto past hurts can lead to TMJ and teeth grinding.
⚔️ Learn how internal conflicts between thoughts and actions can cause jaw misalignment.
🌌 See how TMJ sufferers may attract relationships that mirror old wounds and frustration.
💡 Discover how Mind Change can release emotional drivers, aligning inner truth with outward expression.
Get in touch with Heather McKean:
Web: https://www.mindchange.com/our-story
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindchange/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MindChange
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindchange
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