The Benefits of Head, Neck, and Jaw Massage for Singers and Musicians
As a massage therapist specializing in head, neck, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) care, I’ve seen firsthand how manual therapy can transform vocal performance and enhance musicianship. While many people associate massage with relaxation, targeted manual therapy can be a game-changer for singers and musicians, helping them optimize their craft while avoiding pain and strain.
Why Focus on the Neck and Jaw?
The neck and jaw play a pivotal role in vocal and instrumental performance. For singers, these areas influence everything from vocal range to breath control and resonance. Musicians who play wind or brass instruments rely heavily on the same structures for embouchure control, endurance, and articulation.
When tension builds in the neck, jaw, or surrounding muscles, it can limit range of motion, strain the voice, or even create pain that distracts from performance. By addressing these restrictions, massage therapy can unlock greater freedom and ease in movement, whether you’re singing, playing an instrument, or both.
Benefits for Singers
For vocalists, manual therapy can:
Reduce Voice Strain: Releasing tension in the jaw, neck, and throat allows for smoother, more efficient vocal production.
Enhance Range and Stamina: Improved mobility in the jaw, tongue, and hyoid bone can extend vocal range and reduce fatigue during long performances or rehearsals.
Improve Resonance: Releasing the soft palate and other key areas can help singers achieve a clearer, more resonant tone.
Many of my clients report that they feel their voice "open up" after sessions, making it easier to access their full range with less effort. One singer even shared how she could finally hit high notes without the usual tension she’d felt for years.
Benefits for Musicians
For instrumentalists, especially those who play wind or brass instruments, addressing neck and jaw tension is equally critical. Manual therapy can:
Improve Embouchure Control: Tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles can interfere with the precision and stamina needed for long playing sessions.
Enhance Posture and Breath Support: Releasing tightness in the neck and shoulders supports better alignment and breathing.
Prevent Overuse Injuries: By addressing imbalances and asymmetries, massage can help musicians avoid repetitive strain injuries common in their profession.
Self-Care Techniques for Singers and Musicians
While working with a trained professional is invaluable, incorporating self-care into your routine can make a huge difference. Here are a few techniques I recommend from my courses at Help Head Pain:
Stretch the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM): This neck muscle helps with forced inspiration and head movement and can hold a lot of tension. Anchor the skin under your collar bone and try neck gentle stretches while sticking out your tongue to engage the surrounding tissues.
Massage the Temporalis and Masseter Muscles: The temporalis (at the temples) and masseter (at the cheeks) close and clench the jaw. So to open the jaw wider with more ease it is important to address the muscular tension and trigger points. Use your fingertips in gentle, circular motions.
Release Under the Tongue: Using clean fingers, gently press and massage under the tongue to improve its mobility and independence from the floor of the mouth.
I teach how to safely perform all of these techniques including intraoral massage in my online video courses.
Regularly practicing these techniques on both sides of the body helps address the symmetrical nature of the neck and jaw. Dysfunction in the muscles throws off the symmetry, which can directly affect vocal or instrumental performance or increase pain.
When to Seek Professional Help
For more complex issues—such as TMJ clicking, throat tension, or restricted jaw movement—working with a professional manual therapist is essential. Specialized techniques can target:
Smaller TMJ muscles like medial and lateral pterygoid
The hyoid bone increasing its movement potential
The tongue and soft palate
After treatment, many singers report better access to their soft palate, which enhances tone clarity and resonance by redirecting sound waves toward the mouth. Musicians often find they have greater control and endurance after addressing neck and jaw restrictions.
Trombonist client story
Ingram Lee IV, a college trombone teacher and member of the San Antonio Philharmonic Orchestra, came to see me with significant pain in his face and TMJ area. His discomfort intensified when playing high-register notes, and he had developed a habit of laterally thrusting his jaw (shifting it to the side) in an attempt to relieve the pain. Unfortunately, this habit often caused his jaw to lock closed for several days, leaving him unable to play his instrument.
To address his issues, Ingram enrolled in my online course for consistent self-help guidance between sessions. During our hands-on work in the office, I began by identifying the connection between his lateral jaw thrusting and the resulting lockjaw. My approach focused on relaxing the musculature through targeted massage and stretching. Once his muscles were more pliable, we worked to replace the unhelpful lateral thrusting habit with a safer, more effective movement pattern to alleviate his pain.
The techniques that proved most beneficial for Ingram included self-massage and a tongue-tracking exercise, both of which I teach in my online course. These strategies helped improve the precision and freedom of his jaw movements. For a trombonist to perform at their full potential, the tongue must move quickly and precisely, the lower jaw (mandible) must shift forward and retrude smoothly, and the soft palate must be fully functional and accessible.
Our hands-on manual therapy allowed us to work specifically toward these goals. After practicing a soft palate sweep technique during our sessions, Ingram noted a significant improvement. He could now lift his soft palate on demand. This not only enhanced his playing comfort but also unlocked a new level of control and resonance in his music.
A Final Note
If you’re a singer or musician looking to elevate your performance, consider integrating head, neck, and jaw massage into your routine. Whether through self-care or professional sessions, this approach can help you perform with greater ease, precision, and enjoyment—on stage and off.
Begin with the free video lesson by signing up in the link below. Then consider enrolling in one of my two online video courses. If you’d like to work with me in my Austin, TX office of Katie Massage I require that you first enroll in one of my courses then reach out to me to schedule an appointment.
