The Use of Manual Muscle Relaxation Techniques in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

The Application of Manual Techniques in Masticatory Muscles Relaxation as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

The aim of the study was to compare the degree of relaxation of the anterior part of the temporal muscles and the masseter muscles achieved with the use of post-isometric relaxation and myofascial release methods in patients requiring prosthetic treatment due to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) with a dominant muscular component.

The study included 60 patients, both sexes, aged between 19 and 40. The patients who met the inclusion criteria were alternately assigned to one of the two study groups: I group consisted of the patients received post-isometric relaxation treatment (PIR), II group - patients received myofascial release treatment (MFR). Each group consisted of 30 subjects. The series of ten treatments were performed in both groups. The comparative assessment was carried out based on the data obtained from the physical examination, physiotherapeutic examination of the masticatory system, surface electromyography (sEMG) of anterior temporal and masseter muscles and the data on the intensity of spontaneous masticatory muscle pain assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed functional disorders of the masticatory system with the accompanying excessive tension of the masseter muscles,
• no clinical signs of displacement of the disc with a blockage in the temporomandibular joint,
• spontaneous pain in the masticatory muscles, lasting at least one month before treatment,
• good general health of the patient,
• full dental arches
• written consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• occurrence of a face or head injury during participation in the research project,
• open wounds in the area where the therapy was carried out,
• sudden illness of the patient preventing participation in the study,
• the will to terminate participation in the study