How To Find Trigger Points - Masseter    ActiveTrigger Points in the Masseter Can Cause Ear, Tooth, and Jaw Pain The masseter is a powerful workhorse muscle that we use almost continually and can occasionally get overworked. Trigger points may form and become active in the masseter under the following conditions: Trismus (severely restricted jaw), TMJ pain, tension/stress headache, ear pain, ipsilateral tinnitus, dental pain, bruxism, sinusitis pain, puffiness under the eyes (often present in singers), Chewing gum, prolonged dental work, stress, emotional tension, head-forward occupational postures.   There are typically 1-4 groups of trigger points found in the masseter muscle...

  Latin digastricus, having two (muscle) bellies Origin Anterior belly: digastric fossa on inner side of lower border of mandible, near symphysis. Posterior belly: mastoid notch of temporal bone.   a) Posterior, b) Anterior     Insertion Body of hyoid bone via a fascial sling over an intermediate tendon. Action Raises hyoid bone. Depresses and retracts mandible as in opening the mouth. Nerve Anterior belly: mylohyoid nerve, from trigeminal V nerve (mandibular division). Posterior belly: facial (V11) nerve. Trigger Point Referred Pain  Anterior: lower four incisor teeth, tongue, and lip, occasionally to chin. Posterior: strong 2 cm zone around mastoid...

Tips for Treating Trigger Points - Lateral Pterygoid   Trigger Points in the Lateral Pterygoid are a Common Cause of Cheek Pain  The superior head of the lateral pterygoid is sometimes called the sphenomeniscus, because it inserts into the disc of the temporomandibular joint. ORIGIN Superior head: lateral surface of greater wing of sphenoid. Inferior head: lateral surface of lateral pterygoid plate of sphenoid.     Lateral Pterygoid Trigger Points      INSERTION Superior head: capsule and articular disc of the temporomandibular joint. Inferior head: neck of mandible. ACTION Protrudes mandible. Opens mouth. Moves mandible from side to side (as...