Kaakphysio

If you suffer from: noises in the jaw joint while chewing or moving the lower jaw headache, neck pain, sometimes shoulder pain, pain in the neck - tired, "stiff/tense" chewing muscles - dizziness - pain in / in front of the ear - painful, tired sensation or cramp in the masticatory muscles limited or asymmetrical mouth opening – aggravated by eating, talking, yawning, etc. then…. you probably have ''CMD''.

These are symptoms caused by abnormalities and/or dysfunction of the chewing system. They are (pain) complaints originating from the jaw joint and/or the chewing muscles. This syndrome is also called CranioMandibular Dysfunction (CMD) or Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD). A mouth full... The disruption of the normal function of the chewing system can lead to problems with, for example, chewing, yawning, eating food, talking, opening the mouth, singing, playing musical instruments, etc.

Many theories have been developed about the origin of complaints in the chewing system. However, no specific cause can be identified. Sometimes complaints arise from incorrect loading, incorrect use (grinding or clenching) or from overload (chewing gum). Positional abnormalities of the lower and upper jaw, teeth and molars can also lead to CMD. In addition to the above examples, stress, incorrect tongue-swallowing behavior and incorrect posture/position of the neck can also be considered, but it can also be based on having incorrect habits such as grinding teeth, clenching, biting nails. Especially incorrect Mouth opening and closing patterns are an important cause and even if many molars are missing, this can lead to overload of the jaw joint. With an incorrect opening pattern, when the jaw shifts forward too early and does not rotate first, the jaw head takes the disc that lies in the joint forward too quickly, causing secondary pain in, among other things, the posterior part of the temporomandibular joint capsule, with resulting in radiating pain, trigger points, blocking and popping jaw joints, etc. Furthermore, diseases such as joint rheumatism or psychological tension can cause complaints. [see also MyoFeedback] Nowadays it is assumed that there is a complex of factors that cause CMD complaints. Diagnosis and treatment The diagnosis of CMD is usually made by your GP or dentist. If it is decided in consultation with you that treatment or further examination is necessary, you will be referred to the physiotherapist who specializes in jaw function disorders. Sometimes, however, you go to the ENT doctor with ear complaints, or to the neurologist with headache complaints. If desired, these specialists will refer you to a physiotherapist who treats specific jaw problems. What does the jaw physiotherapist do?

The jaw physiotherapist will first examine the possible cause of the complaints. The treatment may then consist of exercises and explanations with the aim of reducing the pain and ensuring that the jaw can function normally again. Unlearning incorrect oral habits and movement patterns is an important part of the treatment. Massage and relaxation exercises are used to reduce pain. MyoFeedback can play an important role in this. CranioMandibular Dysfunction Working Group In some cases, the examination by the physiotherapist shows that multiple disciplines need to be examined. You can then be referred to the CMD Working Group. The CMD Working Group consists of an Oral Surgeon, a Dentist/Gnatologist (a dentist specialized in chewing function disorders), a Physiotherapist (Orofacial therapy) and a Speech Therapist. In addition to these disciplines, an Orthodontist or Psychologist may also need to be involved. Treatment advice is given here. This advice will be communicated to you and to the person who referred you to the Working Group. Just as the research takes place in a multidisciplinary context, the therapy will often consist of a combination of different treatments. Examples of this are bite plate therapy by the Gnatologist, unlearning incorrect swallowing, tongue and speech habits by the Speech Therapist and restoring or optimizing the function of the masticatory system (joint and muscles) by the Physiotherapist. This can be done through Myo-Feedback, among other things. See in the left menu bar. To collaborate ! To achieve a good treatment result, your cooperation and commitment is really important; e.g. when unlearning certain habits, by wearing the bite plate or doing exercises!!! Only if you commit yourself well to this will the treatment have a chance of success... So do it!