Increased somatosensory amplification is associated with decreased pressure pain thresholds at both trigeminal and extra-trigeminal locations in healthy individuals.

Background: The diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is based on patient history and physical examination, and may require medical imaging. Masticatory muscle palpation is essential to make a diagnosis of TMD. However, the response of masticatory muscles to mechanical pressure stimuli depends on many physical and psychological factors.