It's been a while since I've visited, but I've had on-going struggles with clenching my teeth at night and I need some ideas. I have never clenched during my waking hours. It only happens while I sleep and have no control over what I'm doing with my muscles. I've tried many things, though, in all honesty, I'm probably not very good at sticking with different techniques long enough to get results. For me, if I don't notice even the smallest improvement right away, it's hard to have faith in it. I've tried many things that work right away, but didn't seem to help with continued use, and then get frustrated. I am fully aware that the grinding and clenching is due completely to TMS. I am a classic TMSer- have known for many years now. I do really well (most days), with not putting focus on my body pains, but the grinding has caused some wear on my teeth and that makes it hard for me to just not think about. I've tried all kinds of night guards and bite splints. The one I have been currently using is great in theory- it is a guard that covers your front top teeth, which keeps the back teeth from touching. But I've just switched to clenching my front teeth- which still puts the jaw muscles in a state of stress, and I am in pain with that thing in my mouth- though it's the best one I've tried. I've been taking adrenal support supplements (herbs, vitamin b etc.), closed the night with slow breathing, fallen off and back on the journal wagon, tapped away with EFT, written calming strokes (as done with graphology), been reading works by and based on Sarno's, listened to binaural beats, relaxation music etc. I kind of have the problem of trying a bunch of things at the same time, then getting overwhelmed with the time it takes to do all of those things everyday, and end up fizzling out. I just read the EFT and TMS thread and think I might want to try the combo of journaling and then tapping it away with EFT, but I always feel like I have to hurry up and figure out what I can do for the bruxing before my teeth get really messed up. I know Sarno recommends not even paying attention to it, but I get worried about the fact that at night, I have no control about of what I am thinking or doing (I know, the worry about it in the waking hours is actually the act of putting my focus on it). I guess I'm just having a really stuck TMS moment and need some ideas and encouragement. My family and I moved to Texas from CO 5 months ago, and it has been VERY hard. I don't do well with change or leaving my security (all that I ever knew- CO., as well as my family and friends.) I appreciate any help or support anyone has to offer. I would love to find a TMS book that talks a lot about clenching, so that I could have help in finding a different and healthier point of view.
Thanks again,
Megan