Muscles
Digastric
Two-bellied suprahyoid that opens the jaw and elevates the hyoid during swallowing.
Overview
Two-bellied suprahyoid that opens the jaw and elevates the hyoid during swallowing. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Anterior belly under the chin; posterior belly beneath the mastoid process.
Referred pain pattern
Anterior belly: lower incisors and chin. Posterior belly: mastoid, upper SCM area and throat.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Mouth breathing, forward head posture, snoring, prolonged singing or speaking.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Hyoid release, breathing retraining. Clinically: careful manual release of the posterior belly.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction