For singers, wind instrument players, and voice professionals, the throat and jaw are essential tools of the trade. But when pain strikes—whether in the neck, jaw, or throat—it can limit performance and compromise vocal quality. One of the lesser-known yet critical contributors to this type of discomfort is TMJ dysfunction involving the hyoid musculature.
The hyoid muscles are a group of small yet powerful muscles located in the front of your neck, attached to the hyoid bone—a floating bone that sits just above the larynx. These muscles play a vital role in swallowing, speech, breathing, and jaw stabilization. They work in concert with the jaw and neck to create the fine motor control needed for vocal expression and instrument performance.
When these muscles become overworked—often from prolonged singing or sustained postures while playing wind instruments—they can develop tightness, trigger points, and imbalances that contribute to TMJ dysfunction, throat pain, and neck strain.
TMJ dysfunction is typically associated with the jaw joint itself, but in reality, it often involves a network of surrounding muscles—including the suprahyoid and infrahyoid groups. These muscles help coordinate jaw opening and stabilization. When they become fatigued or tight from overuse, they can:
This is especially relevant to singers and musicians, who spend hours in performance postures that require elevated breath control, neck extension, and repetitive jaw movement.
The good news? Physical therapy offers a targeted, non-invasive solution for addressing TMJ dysfunction driven by hyoid muscle imbalance.
A trained TMJ physical therapist can perform gentle manual techniques to release tension in the hyoid musculature, as well as the surrounding jaw and cervical muscles. Myofascial release, intraoral techniques, and trigger point therapy can provide fast relief from deep-seated throat and jaw tension.
Singers often develop forward head posture or chest breathing habits that strain the neck and jaw. Physical therapists can guide you through posture correction and diaphragmatic breathing techniques that reduce tension on the hyoid system and promote vocal efficiency.
Physical therapists can design exercises that simulate your performance demands—like controlled jaw opening, vocal warm-ups with postural awareness, and breath-voice coordination—so you can return to singing or playing with less strain and more freedom.
If you’re a singer or musician dealing with jaw, neck, or throat pain, don’t overlook the role of the hyoid muscles. These deep stabilizers often go untreated, but they are key to restoring comfort, vocal strength, and endurance. With the help of a skilled TMJ physical therapist, you can find relief and rediscover the joy of your craft—pain-free.
If you are looking for a more generalized approach to physical therapy, take a look at our blog titled Understanding TMJ Dysfunction and How Physical Therapy Can Help.