21/07/2026
The muscle behind that tenderness may not be where most people expect.
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📍 I’ve been a chiropractor for 12 years, sharing the releases and exercises I use with patients in clinic.
The masseter is one of your main chewing muscles. Clenching, grinding, and stress can make it tender and may contribute to tension around the jaw and temple.
Research suggests manual therapy may offer short-term improvements in pain and mouth opening for some people with muscular temporomandibular disorders, although evidence specifically for trigger-point therapy remains limited (Vieira et al., 2023; MĂĽggenborg et al., 2023).
The muscle shown here? The masseter.
How to massage it:
1. Find the jaw joint in front of your ear
2. Slide your finger down onto the muscle
3. Find a tender area
4. Apply gentle pressure
5. Massage up and down, then side to side
6. Continue for 30–60 seconds
Avoid pressing directly on the joint. Stop if you feel sharp pain, dizziness, numbness, jaw locking, or worsening symptoms.
đź“Ś DISCLAIMER:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or replace consultation with your dentist, doctor, or qualified healthcare professional. Persistent pain, swelling, jaw locking, or difficulty opening your mouth should be assessed. Dr Mo does not accept responsibility for any health consequences arising from the use of this information.
References:
• Vieira et al. (2023). Manual therapy for temporomandibular disorders. Life.
• Müggenborg et al. (2023). Manual trigger-point therapy for the orofacial region. Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache.
