Post by @drjoedamiani

🔥 Jaw or upper-neck tension? Try releasing this hidden muscle! The digastric is a small muscle underneath your jaw that runs from behind the ear toward the hyoid bone, then continues forward toward the base of the chin. 💡 Why this matters: The digastric helps with jaw opening and movement of the hyoid bone, so tension in this area can contribute to discomfort around the jaw, under the chin, and upper neck. ⚡ It has a posterior portion running from behind the ear toward the hyoid. ⚡ An anterior portion continues from the hyoid toward the underside of the chin. ⚡ Because much of it sits underneath the jaw, you may need to gently work underneath the edge of the jaw to access it. 🛠️ Partner release technique: ✅ STEP 1: Find behind the ear Locate the bony area behind the ear. Start just underneath it and apply comfortable pressure. ✅ STEP 2: Sweep toward the hyoid Slowly follow underneath the jaw, allowing your finger to move slightly underneath its lower edge as you travel toward the front of the neck. ✅ STEP 3: Work the anterior portion Starting near the hyoid, sweep underneath the jaw toward the base of the chin with controlled pressure. ✅ STEP 4: Add cross-friction Gently move side to side across tender portions of the muscle. You may feel the tissue move underneath your finger. Then repeat on the other side. The goal isn’t to dig aggressively into your neck—it’s to use slow, controlled pressure along the muscle to reduce sensitivity and tension underneath the jaw. #JawPain #JawTension #Digastric #TMJ #NeckPain