
The Masseter Muscle
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Where is the masseter muscle?
The masseter is a facial muscle and lies in front of the ear and connects the top portion of the upper jaw (zygomatic arch and maxilla) to the lower portion of the bottom jaw (coronoid process, ramus of mandible).
What Movements Does It Control?
- Closes the jaws by drawing up the lower jaw
- Clenches teeth
For detailed anatomy information: Masseter Anatomy Page
What pain and symptoms are associated with the masseter muscle?
TWD Recommends
If you suffer with TMJ, chronic jaw pain, or sinus pain the Headache Hat will help relieve your pain. The hat has two layers of cooling compartments that encircle the head providing the recommended cold therapy and compression. It can be pulled down to over the face to treat sinus and jaw pain.
What Causes Trigger Points In the Masseter Muscle?
TWD Recommends
Does your pillow support your head and neck?
Sleeping without proper head and neck support is sure to aggravate facial, neck and shoulder muscles. The Sweetnight Pillow has adjustable filling and is highly recommended for its neck support.
Masseter Muscle Trigger Point Treatment
The best resource to learn how to treat small painful knots is The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook. The authors explain trigger points and their effects in everyday language, not medical speak. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to treat their own muscle pain.
Interesting facts about the masseter muscle
- A tight masseter can cause vocal problems for singers and public speakers.
- Trigger points in the masseter can contribute to bags under the eyes
The LotFancy Gel Pack for Jaw Pain, can be used for hot or cold treatments. Recommended to those who deal with the pain and symptoms of TMJ.
Clinical diagnoses to which the masseter muscle symptoms may contribute:
- Temporal mandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
- Mastoiditis
- Ear pain that is similar to an ear infection
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) on the affected side
- Sinusitis
- Jaw Dislocation
- Abscessed Tooth
- Sensitive Teeth
- C2 radiculopathy
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Other muscles that should be considered and examined in conjunction with the masseter:
- Pterygoids
- Contralateral Masseter – masseter muscle on the other side
Satellite trigger points associated with the muscle:
- Temporalis
- Medial Pterygoids
- Contralateral Masseter Muscle