TMJ

Jaw tension, clenching, and the headaches that follow

The temporomandibular joint takes an enormous amount of load, and clenching or grinding — usually at night, usually without knowing — overworks the muscles around it. The result is jaw ache, headaches, worn teeth, and a jawline that has visibly squared off from the muscle bulk.

Relaxing the masseter reduces the force those muscles can generate. That eases the tension and, over time, slims the muscle, so this is often both a comfort treatment and a contouring one.

It is not a substitute for a dentist. If you are grinding, you need them looking at your teeth as well as us looking at the muscle.