Top 5 Fridays! 5 Great Exercises For TMD and Headaches

image courtesy of http://www.arid.ws/orofacial-pain--sleep-apnea/tmd.html

If you're not marketing to dentists, ENTs, neurologists, etc for TMD, you are missing out on a population that needs our expertise! Remember, even a non painful click is still dysfunctional and often easily corrected before there is threat perception by the CNS.


Here are 5 Great Exercises for TMD and HA - click on the titles to see the videos on my youtube channel!

1) Cervical retractions/nods

• whether the system is MDT, Mulligan, or any traditional OMPT exercises, most found out targeting the upper cervical area often relieves headaches and/or cervical pain
• however the question always remains, after OMPT, then what? That's where retractions come in
• keep the OMPT effect going with repeated self mobilization to the upper cervical spine

2) Isometric mandible depression

• the mandible elevators are often tonic with active TrPs with referral to commonly symptomatic areas
• firing the digastrics isometrically repeatedly throughout the day helps along with proper posture to reduce the inferior posterior pull of a forward head

3) Repeated Motion for TMJ - protraction

• the reason why cervical retraction or nods help TMD is that they counteract the inferior posterior pull of a forward head and protract the mandible to a better resting position
• however, often many TMD patients are very lax scoring 8-9 on the Beighton Scale
• if cervical retractions are helping with headaches/cervical pain, but not facial pain/tension try this variation with minor (not end range) mandible protraction in a cervical retraction position

4) Thoracic Whips

• every TMD patient is a cervical patient, but not every cervical patient is a TMD patient
• most cervical patients have thoracic dysfunction and research backs up thoracic manipulation to help both the cervical spine and shoulders
• again, after IASTM, thoracic manipulation, etc... how to keep the reset going? The thoracic whip is a perfect compliment for homework

5) Diaphragmatic Breathing

• dysfunctional breathing patterns have been found in many cervical, headache, and lumbar patients
• working on diaphragmatic breathing helps reduce tone where hypertonic, promote core stability and overall relaxation
• breathing is also a very relaxing thing to instruct and practice while over moist heat on a patient who comes in with allodynia or with a flareup that cannot tolerate movement, OMPT or other treatments

The above exercises along with instructions on compliance to the HEP, sitting with a lumbar roll, frequent movement, proper sleep and dietary limitations (no chew -> soft chew -> regular chew - over 2-3 months) will definitely help your average TMD patient.

Want to know more? Book an Eclectic Approach to TMD, or watch in upcoming on MedBridge Education in the fall!

Keeping it Eclectic...