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― Myofascial (Muscle) Pain

Myofascial Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.

Board-Certified Specialists · Torrance, California · 32+ Years of Experience

Deep aching in the jaw, cheek, or temple often comes from tight knots in the muscles, called trigger points. They are treatable, and the relief can last when the right cause is addressed.
  • Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialists
  • Ultrasound-Guided Injections
  • Medicare Accepted
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South Bay TMJ
Specialty Orofacial Pain Care
A man in a gray shirt touches his cheek and winces in pain, possibly experiencing a toothache or jaw discomfort.

Muscle knots can hurt far from where they start.

Myofascial pain is a type of muscle pain that affects the face and jaw. It is one of the most common forms of orofacial pain, affecting over 44 million Americans. The pain comes from trigger points, which are small, tight knots within the muscles. These trigger points cause deep, aching pain that can radiate to other areas of the head, face, and neck.

At South Bay TMJ, Sleep, Headache & Orofacial Pain Institute, our board-certified specialists use advanced diagnostic tools, including ultrasound-guided imaging, to precisely locate trigger points and provide targeted treatment.

If your dentist cannot find a cause for a “toothache,” or your headaches are in your temples, a muscular trigger point may be the real source. A hands-on exam can tell. Meet Dr. Eric Grin →
― How It Works

What myofascial pain actually is.

“Myo” means muscle. “Fascial” refers to fascia, the thin layer of tissue that wraps around your muscles. Myofascial pain syndrome happens when trigger points form in the muscles. A trigger point is a small area in the muscle that is tight, tender, and irritated.

When you press on a trigger point, it hurts. But trigger points also cause something called referred pain. That means the pain travels to a different part of the body. A trigger point in your jaw muscle can cause pain in your temple, ear, or teeth. This referred pain pattern is one reason myofascial pain is often misdiagnosed as a dental problem, ear infection, sinus issue, or tension headache.

The muscles most often involved in facial myofascial pain include:
01

Masseter. The main chewing muscle in the cheek.

02
Temporalis. The muscle on the side of your head near the temple.
03
Pterygoids. Deep muscles that move the jaw side to side and forward.
A woman with a pained expression touches her cheek, appearing to experience discomfort or pain in her jaw or mouth.
― Symptoms

Could your face and jaw pain be muscular?

Myofascial pain can range from mild discomfort to constant pain that interferes with eating, sleeping, and daily life. This list is not a diagnosis, but it can help you describe what you feel.
  • Deep, aching pain in the jaw, cheek, or temple area
  • Pain that gets worse with chewing, talking, or yawning
  • Tightness or stiffness that makes it hard to open wide
  • Tender spots in the face or jaw muscles that hurt when pressed
  • Pain that spreads from the jaw to the ear, teeth, head, or neck
  • Headaches, especially in the temples
  • A feeling that your teeth hurt, but your dentist finds no problem
  • Jaw fatigue after eating or long conversations
― Causes

What makes jaw muscles form trigger points.

Your jaw muscles are some of the most-used muscles in your body. You use them every time you eat, speak, yawn, or swallow. Several things can overwork them.

01

Muscle Overuse and Strain

Anything that overworks the jaw can cause trigger points. Teeth grinding, excessive gum chewing, and habits like nail biting or pen chewing all strain the jaw muscles.

02

Injury or Trauma

A blow to the face, a whiplash injury, or even prolonged dental work that keeps your mouth open for a long time can damage the jaw muscles and lead to trigger point formation.

03

Stress and Tension

Stress causes many people to clench their jaw or hold tension in the face and neck muscles. Over time, this constant tension can cause trigger points to develop.
Other contributing factors: poor posture (especially forward head posture from desk work), TMJ disorders that make muscles compensate for joint problems, sleep disorders that disrupt muscle recovery, and nutritional deficiencies such as low vitamin D, magnesium, or iron.
― Diagnosis

How we find the trigger points.

Myofascial pain is diagnosed mainly through a hands-on clinical exam. Your specialist feels the muscles of your face, jaw, and neck to locate trigger points. When the doctor presses on one, it reproduces the pain you have been feeling, often in the referred-pain pattern you recognize. We also use advanced tools to support the diagnosis:

01

Ultrasound-guided imaging. Helps locate trigger points and guide injections to the exact spot.

02

Neurosensory testing. Helps tell myofascial pain apart from nerve pain, which needs a different treatment approach.

03

Electromyography (EMG). Measures muscle activity to identify muscles that are overactive or in spasm.

Because myofascial pain is often confused with dental problems, sinus infections, or nerve conditions, seeing a specialist who understands the full range of face and jaw pain is essential for an accurate diagnosis.

― Treatment

Treatments that release the muscle.

The right plan depends on how long you have had the pain and what is driving it. Most patients do best with a combination of approaches.
Specialty · Ultrasound-Guided

Trigger Point Injections

Injections directly into the trigger points can release the tight muscle knots and provide rapid relief. We use ultrasound guidance to place the injection precisely where it is needed. Many patients feel improvement after a single session.
Explore this option →
In-Office

Botox Injections

Botox can relax overactive muscles that contribute to trigger point formation. It is especially useful when muscle clenching is a major factor. Results typically last three to four months.
See how Botox helps →
Therapy

Physical Therapy

Stretching, strengthening exercises, and manual techniques can release trigger points and prevent new ones from forming. Physical therapy also addresses posture issues that contribute to myofascial pain.
Custom Appliance

Oral Appliance Therapy

If teeth grinding or clenching is overloading your jaw muscles, a custom oral appliance can reduce the strain and give the muscles a chance to heal.
See symptom support →
Symptom Support

Medications

Muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, or topical pain creams may be used to manage symptoms while the underlying cause is being treated.
Prevention

Lifestyle and Self-Care

Your plan may include stress management, posture correction, jaw-rest strategies, and dietary guidance. These changes support recovery and help prevent the pain from coming back.
― Related Conditions

Muscle pain rarely travels alone.

Myofascial pain often overlaps with other jaw and head conditions. Sorting out which is which guides the right treatment.

TMJ Disorders

When the jaw joint has a problem, the muscles work harder to compensate, and trigger points follow. TMJ disorders

Headaches & Migraines

Trigger points in the temples and jaw can refer pain that feels like a tension headache. Headaches & migraines

Bruxism & Teeth Grinding

Grinding and clenching overload the jaw muscles and are a common driver of myofascial pain. Bruxism & teeth grinding
― FAQ

Common questions about myofascial pain.

Practical answers from our board-certified specialists. These questions come directly from patients we see at the clinic.
What does myofascial pain feel like?

Myofascial pain typically feels like a deep, steady ache in the muscles of the face or jaw. The pain may get worse with chewing, talking, or jaw movement. You may also notice tender spots in the muscles that hurt when pressed. The pain can spread from the jaw to the ear, teeth, temple, or neck.

Can myofascial pain cause tooth pain?

Yes. Trigger points in the jaw muscles can refer pain to the teeth. This referred pain can feel like a toothache, even though the teeth themselves are healthy. Many patients undergo unnecessary dental procedures before discovering that the real source of their tooth pain is a muscular trigger point.

Is myofascial pain the same as fibromyalgia?

They are different conditions. Myofascial pain comes from specific trigger points in particular muscles. Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain throughout the body along with fatigue and other systemic symptoms. However, some patients have both conditions at the same time. A proper evaluation can determine which condition is causing your symptoms.

How long does it take to recover from myofascial pain?

Recovery time depends on how long you have had the condition and what is causing it. Some patients feel better after just one or two trigger point injection sessions. Others need several weeks of treatment. Chronic myofascial pain that has been present for months or years may need a longer treatment plan that includes injections, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Can myofascial pain be cured?

Many patients achieve significant, lasting relief with the right treatment. However, myofascial pain can return if the underlying causes, such as teeth grinding, poor posture, or stress, are not addressed. Ongoing management strategies like physical therapy exercises and a custom oral appliance can help prevent recurrence.

Dr. Eric Grin
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Eric Grin,
D.D.S., MPH

Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist · Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain · Assistant Professor, UCLA

Last Updated: April 24, 2026
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