I was complaining to my dentist that even after waiting months, it seemed that my teeth were very sensitive on the left side when I chew. He suggested I get a night guard. "What? "I don't clench my teeth! Not during the day or at night". That's what I told myself as I threw the guard in the bathroom closet. Six months later I mentioned it to him again and he asked, "Do you use the night guard"? I told him I thought it was just a suggestion which he gently reminded me he made it for me for a reason. So, I decided to use it and within weeks I could chew peanuts on the left side of my mouth!
Muscles tighten and stay tightened even when you don't realize you're doing it. Progressive muscle relaxation is a way to begin to recognize it, get the sensation of relaxation, and train your muscles to relax.