Masseter muscle pain is a common problem that can affect how your jaw works, and it can make you feel pretty terrible overall. When your masseter muscles hurt, things we take for granted—like eating and talking—can become difficult.
To effectively manage masseter muscle pain, it’s important to understand the anatomy of the muscle, what causes the pain, and what treatments are available. A comprehensive approach is usually needed to lessen the pain and get your jaw working properly again.
In this article, we’ll give you a full overview of masseter muscle pain, including its anatomy, causes, how it’s diagnosed, and all the different ways it can be treated. We’ll also look at self-care techniques, professional therapies, and long-term strategies to manage the pain.
Understanding the Masseter Muscle
The masseter muscle, a key player in chewing and jaw movement, can be a common source of facial pain. Let’s take a closer look at its anatomy, function, and clinical significance.
Anatomy and Function
The masseter is a four-sided muscle on the side of your face. It connects your zygomatic arch (cheekbone) to your mandible (lower jaw). This muscle has two parts, a superficial (outer) section and a deep section, and each has a slightly different function.
As one of the main muscles involved in mastication (chewing), the masseter is responsible for lifting the mandible and helping you protract (extend) your jaw. It’s essential for chewing and other jaw movements.
The masseter muscle gets its nerve supply from the masseteric nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve. It receives blood from the masseteric artery and the facial artery.
Clinical Relevance
The masseter muscle helps stabilize the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) when you clench your teeth. When the masseter muscle isn’t working correctly, it can contribute to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), a painful condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
Healthcare professionals use various assessment techniques to evaluate masseter muscle function, including palpation (feeling the muscle), manual muscle testing, and checking the jaw jerk reflex.
Common Causes of Masseter Muscle Pain
Masseter muscle pain rarely comes out of nowhere. Often, it’s a sign that you’re under a lot of stress. When you feel stressed, you may start clenching your jaw without even realizing it. Over time, this can lead to pain and discomfort in the masseter muscle.
Besides stress, physical factors like bruxism (teeth grinding) and malocclusion (misaligned teeth) can also contribute to masseter muscle tension. Habits like chewing gum constantly, chewing your nails, or habitually clenching your teeth can also put a strain on the masseter muscle.
Another thing to consider is the formation of trigger points in the masseter muscle. Trigger points are tight, knotted areas within the muscle that can cause pain not only in the jaw but also in other areas of the head and face. For example, trigger points in the masseter muscle can cause referred pain to the head, teeth, ears, eyes, and sinuses. Identifying and relieving these trigger points is crucial for managing masseter muscle pain effectively.
Here are some actionable steps you can take to address the common causes of masseter muscle pain:
- Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily routine, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature.
- If you grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard to wear at night.
- Be mindful of your jaw positioning throughout the day, and try to avoid clenching your teeth.
Referred Pain Patterns and Symptoms
The masseter muscle can cause “referred pain,” meaning that even though the problem originates in the muscle, you feel the pain somewhere else. Trigger points in the masseter can send pain signals to your head, teeth, ears, eyes, and even your sinuses.
Common pain patterns include pain radiating to the temples, cheeks, or neck. People may also experience headaches or earaches related to masseter muscle issues. Sometimes, people even feel pain in their teeth, like a toothache.
It’s also important to distinguish masseter muscle pain from other conditions, like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Both can cause jaw pain, but they require different approaches. If you are experiencing jaw, face, or head pain, you should seek an evaluation from a trained professional.
How to examine your masseter muscle
You can learn a lot about the source of your pain by carefully examining the area that hurts. The easiest way to examine your masseter is to palpate it, which means to feel it with your fingers. Look for areas that are tender, swollen, or lumpy. You may notice especially sensitive spots called trigger points, which hurt when you press on them.
Also, pay attention to how your jaw moves. Does it hurt to open it wide? Does it click or pop? Can you easily move your jaw from side to side?
Keep in mind that self-examination is only a starting point. If you think you have a problem with your masseter muscle, you should seek help from a doctor or dentist.
Self-Care Strategies for Easing Masseter Muscle Pain
Fortunately, there are several things you can do at home to ease the discomfort of masseter muscle pain.
Massage Techniques
Massaging the masseter muscle can help relieve tension and reduce pain. Here are some techniques you can try:
- Gentle rubbing: Use your fingertips to gently rub the masseter muscle in a circular motion.
- Applying pressure to trigger points: Locate any tender spots or knots in the muscle and apply sustained pressure until the pain subsides.
- Circular massage: Use your fingertips to massage the muscle in small circles, which can help break up muscle knots.
- Deep stroking massage: Use your thumb or fingertips to apply firm, deep strokes along the length of the muscle, which can improve circulation and reduce tension.
Postural Adjustments
Maintaining good posture is crucial for preventing and relieving masseter muscle pain. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Head and neck alignment: Keep your head level and avoid slouching forward. Imagine a string pulling your head up towards the ceiling.
- Tongue posture: Rest your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth, which can help relax jaw muscles.
Jaw Relaxation Exercises
Regular jaw relaxation exercises can help reduce tension in the masseter muscle and alleviate pain. Here are a few exercises to try:
- Temporal and masseter muscle stretches: Gently open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can, and hold for a few seconds. You should feel a stretch in your jaw muscles.
- Relaxed jaw exercise: Let your jaw hang loose and slightly open. Focus on relaxing the muscles in your face and jaw.
- Chin tuck exercise: Gently tuck your chin towards your chest, which can help improve posture and reduce tension in the neck and jaw.
- Resisted mouth movements: Place your hand under your chin and gently resist as you open your mouth. This can help strengthen and relax the jaw muscles.
For consistent relief, it’s important to perform these exercises regularly. Try incorporating them into your daily routine, perhaps morning and evening, for best results.
Professional Treatment Options for Masseter Muscle Pain
If home remedies and lifestyle tweaks aren’t cutting it, there are several professional treatment options that can help ease masseter muscle pain.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can use manual therapy techniques like myofascial release and post-isometric relaxation to loosen up your masseter muscles. Myofascial release targets the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, to release tension. Post-isometric relaxation involves contracting and then relaxing the muscle to reduce tightness.
Physical therapists can also teach you therapeutic exercises to improve jaw function. These are specific exercises designed to increase the flexibility of the muscles involved in jaw movement.
Dry Needling and Acupuncture
Dry needling involves inserting thin needles into trigger points in the masseter muscle to release tension and reduce pain. Dry needling seems to improve pain tolerance and jaw function in people with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, can also help alleviate masseter muscle pain. One study showed that acupuncture may have short-term benefits for myofascial pain patients who clench their jaws.
Botox Injections
Botox injections work by reducing muscle hypertonicity, or excessive muscle tone, and pain. Botox blocks the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract, which can help relax the masseter muscle and relieve pain.
Like any medical procedure, Botox injections have potential risks and benefits. One study found that Botox injections in the masseter muscle may cause a compensatory increase in stiffness in other muscles of the jaw. Botox should be administered by experienced professionals who understand the anatomy and function of the jaw muscles.
Behavior changes and long-term management
Changing your behavior can help you stop clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth, which will ease your pain in the long run. Here are a few strategies you can try:
- Stress management: Find ways to reduce stress in your life. Exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature are good options. Try to incorporate relaxation techniques into your evening routine.
- Jaw positioning: Pay attention to your jaw. If you notice yourself clenching it, consciously relax your muscles.
- Avoid stimulants: Limit or eliminate caffeine and alcohol, which can increase muscle tension.
It may take time and practice to break these habits, but over time, you can learn to manage your masseter muscle pain and prevent it from recurring.
When you need a team of experts
Sometimes, masseter muscle pain or TMJ becomes so complex that you need a team of experts. When your pain is severe, chronic, or tied to multiple health conditions, a collaborative approach is often best.
By bringing together doctors, dentists, physical therapists, and other specialists, you get a treatment plan that addresses all aspects of your condition. They can work together to identify underlying issues and tailor a plan to your specific needs.
Treating the root cause of your pain is essential for long-term relief. A team approach makes it easier to achieve that goal.
Final Thoughts
Masseter muscle pain is a problem many people experience, and it can arise from a number of different causes. Fortunately, there are also many different treatment options available.
The best way to manage masseter muscle pain is to take a comprehensive approach. This means figuring out what’s causing the pain, trying self-care techniques, and seeking professional medical or dental help when needed.
If you’re experiencing pain in your masseter muscle, don’t wait to take action. By understanding how the masseter muscle works and implementing the right strategies, you can find relief and improve your overall quality of life. Talk to a doctor or dentist about your symptoms and start down the path to feeling better today.