Masseter Muscle – What is the Masseter Muscle?

Masseter muscle gets its name from the Greek work “to chew”. Masseter is one of the strongest muscles for its size in the body but this is hard to determine with complete accuracy. This muscle functions to chew food and is associated with angry and aggressive states. Masseter muscle also acts to clench the teeth and raise the jaw. The abnormal condition called “Temporal-Mandibular Disorder,” also known as TMJ, can occur when this muscle is chronically too tense.

Masseter muscle is a muscle with origin from the inferior border and medial surface of the zygomatic arch, with insertion into the lateral surface of the ramus of the mandible, with nerve supply from the masseteric nerve, and whose action closes the jaw during chewing.

Masseter Muscle located on each side of the face in the parotid region at the back of the jaw. Masseter muscle is easily visible when you clench your jaw, as they located in front of the lower ears.

Masseter Muscle Trigger Points

Masseter muscle is the most likely muscle to cause severe problems with opening the jaw and it can easily become chronically tense with trigger points. Masseter muscle is the most active and is among the first to tense when we are in emotional distress or when we are angry or concentrating deeply. This tension can go on for extended periods of time so that the masseter is likely to be a problem at some point for almost everyone. Bruxism (clenching or grinding the teeth in this fashion) happens to all of us once in a while. For some this can become a debilitating and chronic problem, especially when it occurs during sleep. The masseter muscle and other muscles of mastication can suffer tremendous strain and develop trigger points. On the other hand it’s possible for the presence of trigger points in these muscles to bring on bruxism.

Trigger points in the superficial layer can refer pain to the maxilla (upper jaw), eyebrow, the rear part of the mandible and the upper and lower molars which can become sensitive to pressure or temperature change. If the molars suddenly become sensitive, check the masseter for trigger points before you visit the dentist or buy special toothpaste for sensitive teeth although the best way is seek professional medical advice when experiencing any kind of unusual pain. Trigger points in the deep layer refer pain to the ear region.

Nomarlly, masseter trigger points cause pain in the jaw, teeth area, face and eye. Masseter trigger points in the deep layer may also be a cause ringing noise in the ear with no cause, also known as of tinnitus.

Masseter Muscle Treatment

Explore the masseter muscle from the top to the bottom and all the way back to the ear. Find the tenderest areas. Massaging and pressing on these points may feel very painful. Try to massage them as strongly as you can stand for about one minute. Continue daily until the problems and pain subside and squeezing the muscle no longer hurts and then continue for several days after that.

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