Acute and chronic postural abnormalities as related to craniofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders.

This article has focused primarily on the etiology of CFP and TMD that begins extrinsic to the stomatognathic system and may represent the causative factors behind continued patient complaints after medical and dental intervention. A close professional relationship between the dentist and physical therapist is essential. The knowledgeable physical therapist, through direct interaction with the patient's bodymind, can assist with facilitating change, restoring function, and increasing awareness. New ways of efficiently posturing and moving cannot be learned readily until old bodymind patterns are recognized. From here, the exciting mutual journey of discovery begins and the process continues to unfold for the therapist and client alike.

Management of the temporomandibular joint surgical patient.

Comprehensive management of the temporomandibular joint surgical patient necessitates a thorough presurgical evaluation and definitive postsurgical management. The article provides an overview of TMJ surgical techniques, including arthroscopy, which has significantly decreased the need for open joint procedures. Early postsurgical intervention is recommended and specific therapeutic paradigms are outlined. Adjunctive technique to reduce inflammation, muscle guarding, edema, and collagen bonding are provided to facilitate manual joint mobilization and therapeutic exercise. Optimal success depends upon a strong professional relationship between the treating dentist, oral surgeon, and physical therapist.

Cervical strain and mandibular whiplash: effects upon the craniomandibular apparatus.

One of the most common injuries that can lead to a multitude of problems is cervical strain and mandibular whiplash resulting from a motor vehicle accident. Many individuals do not fully recover from such injuries, develop additional areas of pain and dysfunction weeks or months after the accident, and/or sustain major trauma that may require surgical intervention. Other than fractures or dislocations of cervical vertebrae, which are usually easily discerned from radiological analysis, two prime factors frequently lead to a prolongation of pain, a long rehabilitation course, and the development of problems at adjacent structures such as the craniomandibular region. These two factors are: 1) the lack of early comprehensive evaluation and referral for definitive therapeutic intervention, and 2) a minimal awareness of the relationship of upper quarter structures to one another. The purpose of this paper is to foster within the reader an appreciation of the interrelationship of the cervical and craniomandibular architectures as well as the significance of proper evaluation and treatment of cervical strain and mandibular whiplash injuries.

Nonmedicinal and noninvasive pain control techniques in the management of rheumatic disease and related musculoskeletal disorders.

This paper reviews and compares the pain relieving effect of various noninvasive and nonmedicinal modalities and techniques in the management of arthritic pain. Emphasis is placed on analgesic methodologies that can be self-administered with few or no side effects, are reusable and inexpensive. Proper application guidelines are presented along with a discussion of the proposed mechanisms of action. In addition, suggestions for further research and standards by which such research should be conducted are presented.

Electrode placements for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Even though transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is gaining increasing acceptance as a noninvasive method of pain modulation, many professionals have not been adequately instructed in the many techniques involved in electrode placement. Alternative methods are presented that can be used when more commonly used methods fail to obtain satisfactory results. Anatomical and physiological considerations for determining appropriate electrode placement sites are stressed.