Holly Wilson Massage Therapy

06/16/2026

Hello Infrahyoids! 👋

Do you spend hours looking down at a computer, tablet, or cell phone? Have you ever experienced whiplash? Do you frequently clear your throat, or have difficulty finding a comfortable head position? Then you may want to ask your trusted massage therapist to address your anterior neck.

The infrahyoids are a group of four muscles that live beneath the hyoid bone: the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid. They help stabilize and lower the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing, speaking, breathing, and neck movement. While they may not get the attention of larger neck muscles, they quietly influence the mechanics of the throat, jaw, tongue, voice, and cervical spine every single day.

Modern life asks a lot of these muscles. Every time we look down at a phone, lean toward a computer screen, hunch over a steering wheel, or spend hours with our head carried in front of our body, the tissues along the front of the neck adapt. Over time, the infrahyoids can become shortened, guarded, or overworked as they try to support structures that were never meant to live in a forward position all day long.

Whiplash can have an even greater impact. During a collision, the neck experiences rapid acceleration and deceleration forces that affect not only the muscles in the back of the neck but also the delicate tissues in the front. Clients often focus on the upper traps and neck extensors after an injury, while the anterior neck is often overlooked. Yet these muscles frequently become protective, tender, and restricted after trauma, contributing to altered swallowing mechanics, voice changes, throat tightness, jaw dysfunction, and persistent cervical discomfort.

As bodyworkers, we often approach these muscles with gentleness and respect. By understanding the locations of the trachea, carotid arteries, jugular veins, and the surrounding anatomy, we can safely access the soft tissues surrounding the hyoid and laryngeal structures. The goal is not force. It is restoring glide, reducing guarding, improving mobility, and helping the neck remember how to move with ease again.

Many clients are surprised by how much relief can come from addressing this region. Improved neck mobility, reduced jaw tension, easier swallowing, decreased throat tightness, and a greater sense of ease in the front of the body are common responses.

And if you enjoy exploring the body's more symbolic side, this area is often associated with communication and self-expression. Whether you view that through anatomy, psychology, or energy work, many people notice that the front of the throat becomes remarkably tender during seasons when they are holding back words, swallowing emotions, or carrying stories that have not yet been spoken.

06/13/2026

Hello, digastric. 👋

Are you a clencher? Do you wake up with headaches? Does your jaw click, pop, or feel tired by the end of the day? Do you carry tension beneath your chin or feel like the front of your neck is always working overtime?

If so, it may be time to meet one of the most overlooked muscles in the body.

The digastric is part of the suprahyoid group and is unique because it has two muscular bellies connected by an intermediate tendon. The anterior belly originates from the digastric fossa on the inner surface of the mandible, while the posterior belly originates from the mastoid notch of the temporal bone. Both bellies meet at a tendon that attaches to the hyoid bone through a fibrous sling.

Functionally, the digastric helps open the mouth by depressing the mandible and elevates the hyoid during swallowing. Every time we yawn, swallow, chew, speak, or coordinate tongue movement, this little muscle is helping behind the scenes.

What makes the digastric particularly fascinating is its relationship with the hyoid bone. The hyoid is the only bone in the body that does not directly articulate with another bone. Instead, it floats within a complex network of muscles and fascia connecting the jaw, tongue, throat, and neck. Because of this, restrictions in the digastric can influence much more than the area beneath the chin.

As bodyworkers, we often explore this muscle with clients experiencing TMJ dysfunction, clenching, headaches, forward head posture, anterior neck tightness, mouth breathing, speech issues, snoring, and airway concerns. Work through the suprahyoid region can help restore mobility to a part of the body involved in breathing, swallowing, speech, and jaw mechanics.

For a little self-care, try placing your fingertips just beneath the jawline and gently exploring the tissue from the chin toward the angle of the jaw. Pair this with slow nasal breathing and a relaxed tongue resting softly on the roof of the mouth. You may be surprised how much tension has been quietly hiding in such a small space.

The digastric may be small, but it sits at one of the body's most important crossroads.

Sometimes the muscles making the least amount of noise are influencing the conversation the most. 🥰

05/29/2026

04/21/2026

The Palmaris Longus muscle is a superficial forearm flexor that is actually absent in a portion of the population. It assists in flexion of the wrist and tension in the palmar fascia.

Trigger points in this muscle can cause aching and tightness in the palm, a feeling of tightness when gripping, and discomfort when flexing the wrist.

04/09/2026

And it makes your massage therapist's job a little easier! 🤷🏼‍♀️

04/08/2026

04/07/2026

Gracilis trigger points are localized, hyperactive spots in the thin, superficial inner thigh muscle that cause sharp, stinging, or superficial burning pain, often felt along the inner thigh or near the knee. These spots usually develop in the middle third of the muscle due to overuse in sports, resulting in pain during adduction or knee flexion.