Bruxism, Cortisol & the Autonomic Nervous System

A Nervous System Approach to TMJ & Teeth Grinding – Chiropractor Islington

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often described as a dental problem.

But in many adults — especially busy London professionals — it is primarily a stress physiology issue.

At Angel Chiropractic in Islington, we take an autonomic nervous system (ANS) approach to TMJ pain and bruxism. That means we don’t just look at the teeth or jaw — we assess how stress, posture, sleep and nervous system balance may be driving the problem.

If you’re searching for a Chiropractor Islington for jaw pain, headaches, or teeth grinding, here’s what’s happening inside your body.

How Cortisol Is Produced (And Why It Matters)

Cortisol is your main stress hormone. It isn’t “bad” — it helps you:

  • Wake up in the morning

  • Stay alert

  • Regulate blood sugar

  • Manage inflammation

Cortisol is produced through the HPA axis (hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal system).

The process works like this:

  1. Your brain detects stress (physical or emotional).

  2. A signal is sent to the adrenal glands.

  3. Cortisol is released into your bloodstream.

In short bursts, this is helpful.

But when stress becomes constant — work pressure, poor sleep, long hours at a desk — cortisol patterns can become dysregulated.

This is where jaw tension often begins.

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Your autonomic nervous system controls automatic body functions like:

  • Heart rate

  • Breathing

  • Muscle tension

  • Digestion

  • Sleep cycles

It has two key branches:

Sympathetic (“Fight or Flight”)

  • Increases muscle tone

  • Raises alertness

  • Elevates stress hormones

  • Prepares you for action

Parasympathetic (“Rest and Repair”)

  • Promotes relaxation

  • Improves sleep

  • Supports healing

  • Reduces muscle tension

In a healthy system, these two work in balance.

But many people in North London are operating in prolonged sympathetic dominance — always “on,” even at night.

How This Leads to Bruxism

During sleep, your brain cycles through light and deep stages.

If stress levels are high:

  • Micro-awakenings increase

  • Sympathetic bursts occur

  • Heart rate briefly rises

  • Jaw muscles contract

  • Grinding episodes happen

This is why bruxism is strongly linked to:

  • High workload

  • Anxiety

  • Poor sleep

  • Late caffeine

  • Emotional stress

Clenching is not a conscious choice.

It is a stress reflex.

The jaw is neurologically linked to emotional processing centres in the brain, which makes it particularly sensitive to tension.

The Cortisol–Sleep–Bruxism Cycle

Chronic stress often creates a loop:

  1. Daytime stress raises cortisol.

  2. Elevated stress disrupts sleep.

  3. Light sleep increases sympathetic activity.

  4. Sympathetic surges trigger jaw contraction.

  5. Morning pain increases stress.

  6. The cycle continues.

Over time this can cause:

  • TMJ irritation

  • Tooth wear

  • Temple headaches

  • Neck stiffness

  • Increased pain sensitivity

Our ANS Approach at Angel Chiropractic

At Angel Chiropractic, Islington, we assess jaw pain through a broader lens.

We look at:

  • Cervical spine function

  • Jaw movement patterns

  • Posture and desk setup

  • Breathing patterns

  • Sleep quality

  • Stress load

Rather than treating only the joint, we aim to support nervous system balance.

Mechanical Treatment

Treatment may include:

  • Gentle TMJ mobilisation

  • Soft tissue release of tight jaw muscles

  • Neck and upper spine treatment

  • Postural correction

  • Ergonomic advice

Improving cervical spine movement often reduces jaw strain.

Dental Protection

If grinding is suspected, we recommend seeing a dentist.

A dentist may assess for tooth wear and recommend a custom splint, such as a Michigan plate, to protect the teeth during sleep.

Protection is important — but it does not regulate the nervous system. That’s where our approach adds value.

Nervous System Regulation

To reduce bruxism long term, we support parasympathetic activation through:

  • Breathwork coaching

  • Mindfulness strategies

  • Sleep guidance

  • Reducing sympathetic overload

  • Lifestyle recommendations

A simple starting point:

Lips together, teeth apart.

And try this daily:

  • Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds

  • Exhale slowly for 6–8 seconds

  • Let the jaw soften

Longer exhalations stimulate the calming branch of the nervous system.

Over time, this reduces background muscle tension.

When to Seek Help

You should seek professional advice if you notice:

  • Jaw locking

  • Cracked or chipped teeth

  • Persistent headaches

  • Severe pain

  • Difficulty opening your mouth

Early support prevents long-term damage.

TMJ & Bruxism Treatment – Chiropractor Islington

If you are searching for:

  • Chiropractor Islington

  • Chiropractor North London

  • TMJ treatment Islington

  • Jaw pain treatment London

  • Teeth grinding help Islington

We are here to help.

Angel Chiropractic
309 Upper Street
Islington
London N1 2TU
www.angelchiropractic.co.uk
hi@angelchiropractic.co.uk

We combine mechanical treatment with an autonomic nervous system approach to help address the root drivers of jaw tension — not just the symptoms.

Brian BambergerAngel Chiropractic