The Effectiveness of a Physiotherapy Technique in Patients With Chronic Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorder

The Effectiveness of the Pressure Release Technique on Masticatory and Neck Muscle Trigger Points in Patients With Chronic Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorder

Participants with chronic orofacial pain caused by masticatory and neck muscles will be distributed in two groups, both followed with the same occlusal and self-care treatment. The experimental group will receive 5 sessions of physiotherapy applying a specific pressure on the trigger points while the control group will receive placebo through a simulation of the same technique. Orofacial perceived pain, pain pressure thresholds, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, cervical disability, depression and anxiety will be evaluated at baseline, immediately after treatment and 3 months later.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients ≥18 years.
• Patients diagnosed of myofascial TMD with at least one TrP with referred pain.
• TMD patients with a current complaint of myofascial pain with more than 6 months of evolution.
• Patients with myofascial TMD initially treated with splint currently used, that has not been modified in the last 6 months, without improvement.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients treated with occlusal splint recently modified.
• Patients with acute TMJ diseases.
• Patients with systemic disease, neurological and muscular diseases.
• Patients with psychiatric or psychological disorders.
• Patients with cervical disc hernia and acute whiplash injury.
• Changes in the painkillers intake during the experiment.