When we become angry, our body automatically responds so that we are prepared to fight. One part of this response is a tightening of muscles. According to Harry Mills, Ph.D., in his article "Anger Management Relaxation Techniques," anger frequently manifests in the form of muscle tension in the head, shoulders and jaw.
Anger and Stress
Anger is one way that the body responds to stress. According to the American Psychological Association, the three stress emotions are anger, anxiety and depression. Whether you're feeling anger or anxiety, one physical symptom is jaw pain.
Anger Response
Anger triggers the brain to release chemicals such as adrenaline to put your body on high alert. As a result, your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing increase and extra energy is released. Additionally, your body's muscles become tense. In "Recognizing Anger Signs," Mills states that two symptoms of anger are clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth. Tense muscles, a clenched jaw and grinding teeth result in jaw pain.
TMJ
TMJ (temporomandibular jaw dysfunction) is a group of conditions that cause pain and limited function in the joint that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw. One type of TMJ---myogenous---is caused by the same type of muscle tension that inflicts jaw pain. Other symptoms of TMJ are stiff jaw muscles, limited movement or locking of the jaw and painful clicking or popping in the jaw. TMJ may be treated with medications to relieve pain, corrective dental procedures or possibly surgery to improve joint movement.
Bruxism
Bruxism---grinding of teeth---may cause jaw pain, but at the same time, anger may be the cause of bruxism. According to information from the Mayo Clinic, the causes of bruxism include anxiety, stress, tension, anger, frustration and an aggressive or competitive personality type.
Bruxism can go away as your tension and anger diminish, or it can continue and become severe enough to result in headaches, damaged teeth and jaw disorders such as TMJ. In addition to jaw pain, bruxism causes symptoms such as sensitive teeth, worn down or chipped teeth, earache and headache and chewed tissue inside your cheek or on the tongue. Bruxism is treated by stress management, a mouth guard, dental care and therapy to adjust your jaw position and movement.
Anger Management
The key is to control the anger that results in jaw pain. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and controlled muscle relaxation are good tools to use. Deep breathing helps to slow the body down, and gently rolling your head and shoulder will begin to relieve the muscle tension in your jaw.
You can also use cognitive behavioral techniques to manage anger. Take the time to analyze your thoughts, consider why you're angry, how you're feeling and your subsequent behavior, then explore how to change your responses to avoid anger. You may be able to do this on your own, but you can also find a mental health professional to guide you through the process.
