Surface electromyography of neck, face and head muscles during alternating compression effect in brushing teeth with Miswak [a tree twig]

ABSTRACT

To assess the surface electromyography of neck [sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis and trapezeius], face [masseter] and head [temporalis] muscles during brushing teeth with Miswak [a tree-twig used for cleansing the teeth] as a novel physical agent that may play a vital role in neck, face and head muscles exercise. Surface electromyography [sEMG] has been used to examine the neuromuscular activity of neck, face and head muscles under different teeth brushing circumstances of three healthy persons. EMG showed rhythmic muscular activity of sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, trapeze ius and continuous muscular activity of temporalis and masseter muscles of both sides from the force and movement of shoulder joint exerted by the user during brushing teeth with Miswak. Most likely brushing with Miswak would play an imperative role as a new physical agent by putting forth intermittent compression effect on neck, face and head muscles exercise. This study is also a direction for future research on utilization of Miswak as a physical agent or a physical device in rehabilitation programs in order to accomplish pericranial muscles exercise that might be advantageous for chronic neck pain, headache due to muscle contraction [tension-type headache] and torticollis