This entire area of the body is very susceptible to bottlenecks of blocked energy.

Keeping this area loose, and bottleneck free, unblocks energy stagnation, opens up the meridian channels, and frees you of pain.

While there are many reasons that these types of symptoms occur, many of which may NOT be related to the masseter or TMJ, and many "fixes" as well, some are more effective than others.

We'd like to share a tried and true one with you today. One that can majorly add to your healthy routine, no matter what symptoms and issues you may be experiencing. 

It involves intraoral massage of the masseter muscle.

The what?

We'll explain!

A number of muscles interact with the TM joint, but the masseter (jaw) muscle, capable of exerting hundreds of pounds of pressure, is the most powerful, and often the main culprit in relation to a tight jaw.

The TM joint and it's numerous unpleasant symptoms, is partners in crime with the masseter muscle.

And in order to break that crime spree, you have to find the elusive masseter muscle and massage it.

As big and powerful as the masseter is, it is well protected and hidden within the jaw and cheek.

You would never even suspect that it is there! 

We have found that the best way and time to incorporate massaging the masseter into your daily (or semi - daily practice), is to do it while in the shower.

But again, you have to know how to find it first!!
 

To find and massage the masseter muscle:

Start by washing your hands well as you let the warm shower water run over your neck and shoulders.

Allow yourself to relax.

Using your (clean) right index finger, place it between your upper and outer left back teeth and the inside of your cheek.

Now reach up with your finger as far as you can, inside of your mouth, towards your left nostril.

Slowly open and close your mouth, and FEEL the muscle that is doing the work.

You really have to concentrate on learning to feel with your finger.

It may take you several times of doing this until you find - feel the masseter, and really get the hang of how it operates, but once you find it and understand it's actions, you will be doing yourself a tremendous favor by giving it a good rubdown a few times a week.

So, do you sort of feel something moving way back in there??

If so, and even if you don't, and while slowly, slightly, and gently opening and closing your mouth, (being careful not to bite your finger!), using the tip of your index finger, give the top of the masseter a gentle massage.

Follow this by then running the tip of your finger out and down (while still inside your cheek, and still moving your jaw), massaging the length of the masseter until your finger is in the far back corner of the outside of your bottom left teeth (still inside of your cheek).

If you are slowly opening and closing your mouth while doing this, you should begin to feel something very tight and strong moving deep inside the far reaches of your cheek.

Begin moving back up along the masseter again giving it a final rubdown.

You can actually use your teeth as leverage to support your finger, because the masseter is quite tough, and the teeth act as a useful brace.

Tight masseters that receive little attention usually develop thick fibrous stiff musculature, further compounding associated issues.

Stop and give any tender areas some extra TLC along the way, being aware that regular massage oriented "workouts" of this muscle will make it more flexible, supple, and fit.

Switch fingers to your clean left index finger, and repeat the entire routine on the right masseter.

This should feel GREAT BTW.

Even if your masseter is relatively loose and you have no symptoms, massaging it anyway will produce a feeling of lightness in the face and a resultant feeling of stress relief and release.

And if your masseter is tight, and almost everyone's is, you should be in heaven right about now.
 

For the final finishing touch to your new self care technique of intraoral massage of the jaw, take your clean thumb, and place the inside tip of it right in the center of your upper palate.

Now let your upper jaw hang, entirely supported by your thumb as you press your thumb upwards towards the top of your head, while stretching your neck, head, and shoulders up as well, creating a self traction mechanism with your thumb and the weight of your head.

All the while enjoy the warm water of the shower relaxing and releasing as it runs over you, washing away the stress of the day.

This final technique not only takes most of the pressure of the weight of your head, and subsequent weight of the world off of your body for a few precious moments, helping to further relax the jaw, it also, and so importantly, directly stimulates your pituitary gland (located at the base of your brain).

About This Weeks Menu

Food has a powerful influence over all of the organs, muscles, ligaments tendons, and glands of the body.

Certain foods correspond directly to certain physical and emotional conditions and can either support healing, or impair it.

Using a wide variety of fresh, organic, whole and natural foods is your best insurance in supporting your body's health and balance. Naturally.

You will find many health promoting super foods in the August 5, 2015 Wholly Macro Delivery Menu just below.

We hope that you enjoy making fun and tasty, nutritious selections.

May health, happiness, and prosperity be your unavoidable natural state and your ongoing daily experience.

Gayle and Jaime / Wholly Macro