The Hidden Cost of Jaw Tension: How Suppressed Emotions and Trauma Shape Women’s Health

Learn how suppressed emotions like anger contribute to jaw tension and TMJ disorders. Explore the role of TRAUMA, Polyvagal Theory, and SOMATIC EXPERIENCING in women’s health and healing.

“The body speaks what the heart suppresses. Jaw tension, so often held by women, is a silent testimony to unspoken words, suppressed emotions, and untended trauma. When we listen, soften, and release, we invite healing—not just in the body, but in the spirit that longs to be free.” -L. Dummit

Why Does Jaw Tension Matter?

Have you ever noticed yourself clenching your jaw, especially during times of stress or emotional turmoil? For many women, jaw tension becomes an unconscious habit—one that’s deeply tied to unprocessed emotions, particularly anger. Society often discourages women from expressing anger, labeling it as “unladylike” or “too much.” Over time, this suppression creates a cascade of physical and emotional consequences.

The jaw becomes a silent container for unresolved trauma, with women experiencing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders at five times the rate of men. But this isn’t just about physical pain. Chronic jaw tension can impact appetite, lead to emotional eating, and even disrupt intimacy and self-expression.

What if this tension could tell us something deeper about the connection between your nervous system, emotions, and overall well-being? Enter Polyvagal Theory, a revolutionary framework for understanding how stored emotions manifest in the body—and how we can Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates our physical and emotional responses to safety, danger, and life threat. According to this theory, the ANS operates through three primary states:

1. Ventral Vagal State (Safe and Social):

• The body feels safe and connected. Facial and jaw muscles are relaxed, and the vagus nerve supports calm, regulated emotions.

2. Sympathetic State (Fight-or-Flight):

• Anger, stress, or perceived danger activates the sympathetic nervous system, preparing the body to fight or flee. The jaw tightens as part of this survival response.

3. Dorsal Vagal State (Freeze or Shutdown):

• Overwhelming emotions or trauma can cause the body to shut down, leading to chronic tension. The jaw stays clenched, holding onto unresolved energy.

The vagus nerve, the core of Polyvagal Theory, plays a vital role here. It connects the brain, face, and body, regulating emotional and physical states. When anger is suppressed, the vagus nerve struggles to return the body to a calm state. As a result, chronic jaw tension can persist alongside feelings of irritability, anxiety, or emotional detachment.

TMJ Disorders: A Common Result of Suppressed Emotions

Jaw tension isn’t just a momentary habit—it often leads to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which affect the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. Symptoms include:

• Persistent jaw pain and tightness

• Clicking or locking of the jaw

• Headaches and neck pain

• Difficulty chewing

Women are particularly vulnerable to TMJ disorders due to the societal pressure to suppress anger and maintain composure. In addition to the physical discomfort, this tension can exacerbate emotional struggles such as anxiety, overwhelm, or compulsive behaviors like emotional eating or loss of appetite.

The Neuroscience of Suppressed Emotions and Trauma

When anger is suppressed, the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, activates the body’s fight-or-flight response. This triggers the hypothalamus and sympathetic nervous system, creating a cycle of tension and hyperarousal. If the energy from anger or trauma isn’t released, the nervous system becomes “stuck,” leaving the body in a chronic state of stress.

Research shows that prolonged stress and unresolved trauma can shrink the hippocampus (the brain’s memory center) and disrupt emotional regulation. This imbalance keeps the jaw tight, and the nervous system dysregulated, reinforcing both physical and emotional symptoms.

Breaking the Cycle with SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

How can you release chronic jaw tension and the suppressed emotions behind it? SOMATIC EXPERIENCING (SE), a body-based trauma therapy developed by Dr. Peter Levine, integrates the principles of polyvagal theory to help clients process and release stored emotions.

How SOMATIC EXPERIENCING Works:

1. Tracking Sensations: SE focuses on noticing physical sensations like jaw tightness or tension in the body. By gently paying attention, clients begin to “unfreeze” trapped energy.

2. Completing the Stress Cycle: Through guided techniques, SE helps the body process the fight-or-flight energy associated with suppressed anger or trauma.

3. Vagal Tone Regulation: Techniques such as deep breathing, humming, and mindful movement stimulate the vagus nerve, supporting a shift back to a ventral vagal state (calm and connected).

4. Releasing Stored Emotions: Safe, body-centered exercises allow clients to explore and release anger or trauma without judgment, creating space for healing and regulation.

Hope for Healing: A New Path Forward

If you’re tired of living with chronic jaw tension, headaches, or emotional eating, it’s not a matter of willpower. It’s about understanding how your body holds onto unresolved emotions and how your nervous system is trying to protect you.

At Embodied Wellness and Recovery, we specialize in SOMATIC APPROACHES  to trauma healing. Using tools like SOMATIC EXPERIENCING and polyvagal-informed techniques, we help women release stored tension, process suppressed emotions, and restore balance to their nervous systems.

Imagine a life where your jaw feels relaxed, your body feels at ease, and your emotions flow freely. Healing is possible—and you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Take the First Step

Are you ready to reclaim your health and release the weight of suppressed emotions? At Embodied Wellness and Recovery, we understand the intricate connection between your mind, body, and nervous system. Together, we’ll help you heal from trauma, reconnect with your emotions, and discover lasting relief.

Contact us today to begin your healing journey. REACH OUT to schedule a FREE 20-MINUTE CONSULTATION with one of our top-rated somatic THERAPISTS. 

You can also check us out on Instagram @embodied_welllness_and_recovery

or 

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/laurendummit

References

1. Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books.

2. Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.

3. Van der Kolk, B. A.