@drjoedamiani: 👉 Jaw pain right in front of the ear or under the cheekbone? If opening your mouth, chewing, or even talking sets off that sharp ache on one side of your jaw, the issue may not be your teeth — it may be a deep jaw muscle called the medial pterygoid. 💡 What’s happening The medial pterygoid sits underneath your jaw and helps close your mouth. When it gets overactive or tight, it can create pain along the jawline and into the face. Most people try stretching randomly; but if you don’t fatigue it first, it tightens right back up. 🔥 Step 1: Fatigue the muscle Place your finger on the painful side. Open your jaw diagonally toward the opposite side. As you close your mouth, gently resist with your finger. This fatigues the medial pterygoid so it’s ready to actually let go. 🧠 Step 2: Stretch with resistance Now gently resist as you open your mouth and hold. This creates a targeted stretch to the medial pterygoid — the muscle often responsible for that deep jaw ache. The key is fatiguing first, THEN stretching. That’s what helps the muscle finally release instead of snapping right back. Try it and let me know: does your jaw feel lighter or easier to open after? #jawpain #tmjrelief #tmjexercises #physicaltherapy #neckandjaw

Dr. Joe Damiani, DPT

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Tuesday 17 February 2026 16:39:13 GMT