Changes in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Symptoms Following Massage Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

PurposeThe objective of this case report was to describe the effects that massage therapy had on a woman with temporomandibular joint dysfunction.ParticipantThe 26-year-old woman’s primary symptoms were pain, decreased range of motion, clicking, and crepitus. These symptoms were reportedly associated with emotional stress and bruxism.InterventionTen 45-minute massage therapy treatments were administered over a five-week period. The client’s progress was monitored by an initial, midway, and final assessment, using range of motion testing, personal interview, an orthopedic test, and postural analysis. Progress was also evaluated by the use of a daily journal. The client participated in a home care routine consisting of stretches, self-massage, postural training, a proprioception exercise, and hydrotherapy.ResultsResults include an increase in maximal opening from 3.1 cm to 3.8 cm, an overall increase in neck range of motion, a decrease in muscle hypertonicity using the Wendy Nickel’s Scale, a decrease in pain from 7/10 to 3/10 on a numerical pain scale, and a decline in stress.ConclusionAlthough the client in this report experienced positive results, more extensive studies are needed to understand the effects of massage on TMD.

Adaptation of the CARE Guidelines for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Publications: Efforts To Improve the Impact of Case Reports

“…TMB case reports published in peer reviewed journals are also an excellent resource for use as examples when preparing a TMB case report. In the past decade, TMB case reports have been published on ankylosing spondylitis (16) , cervical degenerative disk disease (17) , erythromelalgia (18) , lumbar fusion (19) , Lyme disease (20) , Morton's neuroma (21) , narcolepsy (13) , patellofemoral pain syndrome (14) , rheumatoid arthritis (22) , spinal cord injury (23) , and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (12) in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB), and on abdominal pain (24) , diabetic neuropathy (25) , dwarfism (26) , fibular hemimelia (27) , low back pain (28) , lumbar spondylolisthesis (29) , and scoliosis (30) in The Journal of Movement and Bodywork Therapies. New case reports are published periodically in both of these Journals and both consider the publication of case reports as valuable contributions to their Journal and the TMB field (31)(32)(33) .…”

“…Additionally, the number, length, and frequency of treatment applications, in addition to the techniques applied (with description), to which body regions, and for approximately how long, are required (6) . Peirson (12) provides an excellent example of a "treatment plan outline" in the form of a table, saving space in the body of the case report for substantive discussion (case reports are often limited in word counts from 1,500-3,000 words). The therapeutic intervention section should end with any recommendations for self-care (e.g., stretches, exercise, stress management) or referrals to other providers (e.g., medical specialist, chiropractor, acupuncturist).…”

Association of temporomandibular disorder with occupational visual display terminal use

“…Since TMD is a multifactorial disorder, it is vital to understand the physical and psychosocial backgrounds of workers, including present and past illness, personal relationships at work, and family environment, as well as predisposing factors associated with occupational VDT usage. Previously reported effective self-care methods to prevent TMD include massage and exercises to relax the masticatory muscles, which were shown to be helpful for relieving excessive tension (35). Local hyperthermic treatments are also known to be effective to relieve masticatory muscle fatigue by promotion of blood circulation (36).…”

Efeito de três intervenções de fisioterapia comparadas a tratamento odontológico em indivíduos com bruxismo: um ensaio clínico randomizado

“…[13,53] Os princípios para o alívio da dor através da massagem intra e extra-bucal dos músculos mastigatórios e massagem dos músculos cervicais relacionam-se com o aumento da circulação sanguínea local, melhora do metabolismo e diminuição da tonicidade. [50,53,89,115,116] Por outro lado, os objetivos dos exercícios são normalizar a abertura máxima da mandíbula e reduzir a dor para a restauração do sistema estomatognático. Quando o movimento de abertura está limitado pelo encurtamento muscular, pode ser usada a técnica de alongamento, [53] principalmente dos músculos elevadores da mandíbula, para aumentar a mobilidade e auxiliar na posição de repouso mandíbular.…”

“…[4,7,29,51,86,88,91] O efeito superior das três intervenções de fisioterapia comparadas ao tratamento odontológico no bruxismo pode ser atribuído às características inerentes destas modalidades. Enquanto a massoterapia e exercícios de alongamento muscular constituem recursos importantes, principalmente devido às propriedades fisiológicas como, aumento da circulação sanguínea, com consequente promoção de relaxamento muscular; [50,53,89,115,116,131,[169][170][171][172][173] a terapia de relaxamento e imaginação, uma modalidade associada à abordagem cognitivo-comportamental baseia-se na aplicação de procedimentos, como a aprendizagem de diferenciação entre tensão e relaxamento muscular. [63,107,[120][121][122] Além disso, a realização do treino de respiração diafragmática parece ser outra explicação razoável para a melhora superior das três intervenções de fisioterapia comparadas ao tratamento odontológico.…”