Masseter
Body region：Head
Teeth grinding, jaw joint pain, clenched jaw
Function
Originates from the zygomatic arch and inserts at the angle of the mandible. Raises the jaw and is the main chewing muscle.
Common causes
Teeth grinding, one-sided chewing, and clenching under stress.
Massage and stretching
- Thumb pushes from below the cheekbone toward the angle of the jaw
- Open the mouth and relax
Related acupoints
- Taiyang (EX-HN5)：Depression about one finger-width behind the point between the eyebrow tail and the outer eye corner
- Yintang (EX-HN3)：Midpoint of the line between the two inner ends of the eyebrows
Related meridians
Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming、Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming
When to see a doctor：Sudden severe headache with vomiting, vision changes or fever: seek medical care immediately.