02/12/2026
Ever get that nagging “temple headache” that wraps around your eye and makes you wonder if it’s your sinuses, your eyes, or your teeth… all at once? 😵💫
Say hello to your temporalis muscle. Yes, it’s a muscle, not just a spot to rub when your head hurts. 🩷🖤
Where it is...
The temporalis is that fan-shaped muscle on the side of your head (your temple area), running from your skull down to your jaw. If you put your fingers on your temples and gently clench your teeth, you’ll feel it pop to the surface.
What it does...
It’s one of your main chewing muscles and plays a big role in:
closing your jaw, clenching and grinding (hello, stress 😬)
How it can cause symptoms...
When the temporalis gets tight and develops trigger points (little tender knots in the temple area), it can send pain to places that don’t always scream “muscle”:
🖤 Temple headaches
🖤Pain or pressure around the eyebrow/forehead
🖤Even upper tooth sensitivity (fun twist: it’s not always your teeth)
If you’re clenching more with stress, waking up with headaches, or constantly rubbing your temples, this muscle is probably doing the most.
The good news? You’re not stuck like that. Chiropractic and massage together can help:
🩷calm the nervous system that’s driving the clench
🩷release tension in the jaw, neck, and temples
🩷reduce those referred headache patterns over time
If this sounds a little too familiar, we’d love to help you figure out what your muscles are trying to tell you. You can book chiropractic or massage through the link in our bio or call 724-822-1828 and we’ll help you find a time that works.