Masseter Stretch for Jaw Pain Relief

In this article, you’ll learn how to perform masseter stretch – a key stretches that helps you chew and move your jaw.

I’ll show you easy stretching exercises for masseter to help relax this muscle, reducing jaw tension and improving your overall facial health.

How to Stretch Masseter Muscle

Jaw Stretch With Fingers

• Place the index and middle finger over the lower teeth.
• Allow the jaw to drop open to a comfortable position.
• Allow the weight of a hand to stretch the masseter muscle and jaw.
• Hold this position for 30s.
• The pull from the fingers should occur in the mid-line of  a jaw.

Tongue “Cluck”

• Relax your jaw, keeping teeth slightly apart.
• Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth in a resting position.
• “Cluck” your tongue while maintaining the teeth position.
• Repeat six times, up to six sessions per day​

Passive Masseter Muscle Stretch

• Sit with good posture in a stable chair.
• Clench your jaw to locate the masseter muscles and place the tip of your fingers on masseter muscles.
• Gently pull the jaw muscles downward with your fingers, increasing the opening of a jaw
• Hold for about 15 seconds, then return to the starting position.

Forward Jaw Movement Exercise

• Slide with your lower jaw forward so your bottom teeth are in front of your top teeth.
• Repeat this exercise five times.

Masseter Massage Technique

• Look for a notch in your cheekbone, about one inch in front of your ears.
• Use your thumb to feel around the underside of your cheekbone until it fits into the notch.
• Apply gentle pressure or rub gently, focusing on the notch area.
• Use small, kneading circles or constant pressure.
• Apply this technique for 2-3 minutes.

Safety Tips

1. Start Gently: Begin with light pressure and simple exercises to avoid straining the muscle.
2. Listen to Your Body: Stop if you experience sharp or intense pain, as this is a sign of potential injury.
3. Consult with a Professional: If you have existing jaw or medical issues, get advice from a healthcare professional before starting.
4. Maintain Hygiene: Especially for internal mouth techniques, ensure your hands are clean to prevent bacterial infections.
5. Even Treatment on Both Sides: To maintain muscle balance, treat both sides of your face equally to avoid imbalances.

The Next Step

Stretching the other neck muscles can be beneficial for relieving the tension in the masseter muscle.

Here is a list of muscles you should stretch:

• Sternocleidomastoid Muscle
• Trapezius
• Scalene Muscles
• Suboccipital Muscles