FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February, 2000
CONTACT:
Jann Ingmire
[email protected]
Fred Peterson
[email protected]
312/440-2806
Posture Training May Provide Relief for Some TMD Patients
CHICAGO -- Your mother was right -- good posture is important. Researchers in Texas have found that some sufferers of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) may be able to reduce their symptoms by learning better posture. Their findings are reported in this month's issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA).
TMD refers to a collection of medical and dental conditions primarily affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. The joint is located in front of the ear between the temporal bone of the head and the mandible (lower jaw). Symptoms of TMD can include pain in the face or jaw joint area; limited mouth opening; jaws that get "stuck," "lock" or "go out"; clicking or popping sounds of the jaw joint; and other complaints, including headaches, earaches and dizziness.
The subjects in the study were referred to a TMD specialty clinic at Willford Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, for evaluation and treatment. To be included in the study, the patient must have had TMD pain for at least six months and have rated it as at least moderate pain; must not have been receiving any treatment for the pain at the start of the study; and must have been experiencing pain of masticatory (chewing) muscle origin. The patients who qualified for the study were then split into two groups: one group received posture training and TMD self-management instructions while the control group received the self-management instructions only.
"We wanted to find out if posture training had any beneficial effects on TMD patients," explains Colonel Edward F. Wright, D.D.S., M.S., lead author of this study and chief dentist for temporomandibular disorders, U.S. Air Force. "We had seen previous research which indicates poor posture has a negative impact on face and neck pain symptoms experienced by some TMD patients," Dr. Wright adds. "And many practitioners already recommend posture training as one of the multidisciplinary treatment approaches for TMD."
The standard self-management instructions given to both groups included:
* Rest masticatory muscles as much as possible.
* Become aware of bad habits, such as teeth clenching and grinding, and eliminate them.
* Apply heat or cold to the most painful masticatory areas.
* Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
The instructions also stated that improving head and neck posture may improve TMD symptoms and encouraged patients to improve their posture.
The posture training was conducted by a physical therapist who taught the patients exercises to stretch and strengthen the structures poor posture tends to shorten and weaken. The therapists also tried to create an awareness for the patient of desirable posture.
"On average, the subjects who received posture training in addition to the self-management instructions reported 42 percent and 38 percent reductions, respectively, in their TMD and neck symptoms," Dr. Wright states. "The subjects who did not receive the posture training reported an average reduction of only eight percent of the TMD symptoms and nine percent for the neck symptoms. We also found that the patients who hold their head farther forward relative to the shoulders have a high probability of experiencing improvement in TMD symptoms as a result of the posture training and self-management instructions."
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that patients talk to their dentist about diagnosis and treatment of possible TM disorders. The ADA reminds patients that treatments for TM disorders vary based on individual diagnosis.
For more information about TMD and other oral health issues, please visit ADA ONLINE at http://www.ada.org.
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