Jaw Pain, and the Hidden Role of the Pterygoid Muscle

At Healing Arts Physical Therapy, we recently had a patient come in with what they described as “lock jaw.” They were unable to open their mouth fully, had significant discomfort with eating and talking, and were concerned that something more serious might be going on.

They had no clear injury and no idea what caused it. Like many people, they assumed it might take weeks or even months to resolve.

After a detailed evaluation, we identified the root of the problem as a muscle spasm in the pterygoid muscle — one of the deep muscles of the jaw that most people have never heard of.

With targeted treatment, their symptoms were completely resolved in just one visit. They felt so much better that they canceled the remainder of their scheduled appointments.

This type of result surprises people, but it highlights an important concept: not all pain or movement problems are complex or long-term. Sometimes, the right diagnosis and the right treatment can make a dramatic difference very quickly.

Understanding the pterygoid muscle

The pterygoid muscles are part of a group of muscles responsible for controlling jaw movement. There are two main ones: the medial pterygoid and the lateral pterygoid.

These muscles play a key role in:

• Opening and closing the jaw

• Moving the jaw side to side

• Stabilizing the jaw during chewing and speaking

Because of their location deep inside the jaw, they are not easy to access or treat unless you specifically know how to evaluate them.

When these muscles become tight or go into spasm, they can significantly limit jaw motion. In some cases, this results in what people commonly call “lock jaw,” where opening the mouth becomes difficult, painful, or restricted.

What causes a pterygoid muscle spasm

There are several common reasons why this muscle can become irritated or go into spasm:

• Clenching or grinding teeth, especially during stress

• Prolonged poor posture, particularly forward head posture

• Dental procedures or injections near the muscle

• Chewing tough foods or excessive gum chewing

• General muscle overuse or fatigue

In many cases, patients don’t notice the buildup of tension until it suddenly becomes a problem.

What lock jaw feels like

Patients with pterygoid involvement often describe:

• Difficulty opening the mouth fully

• Pain deep in the jaw or near the throat

• A feeling of tightness or restriction

• Pain when chewing or talking

Sometimes the jaw may deviate slightly when opening, and in more severe cases, the limitation can interfere with eating and daily function.

Why this matters

One of the biggest misconceptions about jaw pain is that it must be a joint problem or something that requires long-term treatment.

In reality, many cases are muscular.

When the issue is muscular, especially involving the pterygoid, the right treatment can produce rapid results.

In the case of our recent patient, once the muscle spasm was addressed directly with soft tissue work, normal motion returned almost immediately.

How physical therapy helps

Physical therapy for jaw pain focuses on identifying the true source of the problem and treating it appropriately.

For pterygoid-related issues, treatment may include:

• Targeted soft tissue work to the involved muscle

• Techniques to reduce muscle guarding and spasm

• Guided movement to restore normal jaw mechanics

• Postural correction to reduce strain on the jaw

• Education on habits like clenching or grinding

Because the pterygoid is a deep muscle, effective treatment often requires specific hands-on techniques that many people have never experienced before.

The importance of proper diagnosis

The key to success in cases like this is accurate diagnosis.

If the problem is assumed to be joint-related or something more complex, patients may go weeks without improvement.

But when the true cause is identified as a muscle issue, treatment becomes much more direct and effective.

This is exactly what happened with our patient. Once the correct structure was treated, the body responded quickly.

When to seek help

If you are experiencing:

• Jaw pain

• Difficulty opening your mouth

• Clicking or locking in the jaw

• Headaches related to jaw tension

it may be worth getting evaluated by a physical therapist who understands how to assess and treat these conditions.

Final thoughts

Jaw pain and “lock jaw” can feel alarming, especially when they come on suddenly. But many cases are not as complicated as they seem.

Sometimes the issue is simply a muscle that needs the right treatment.

At Healing Arts Physical Therapy, we focus on finding the true cause of your symptoms and helping you get back to normal as quickly as possible.

If you’re dealing with jaw pain or limited motion, know that effective, non-invasive treatment options are available — and in some cases, relief can happen faster than you expect.