Cervical Range of Motion & TMJ
Sure, TMJ disorders can respond very well to acupuncture. But it isn't just needling ST7 or SI19. And it isn't just ashi needling or needling the masseter motor point.
In fact, before you put any needles in, you should go through an assessment. How else will you know why the patient has TMJ pain and how to treat it?
One important part of the assessment is the exam. During the exam, we need to check the patient's cervical Range of Motion (ROM). There must be cervical extension in order for the jaw to function properly. Go ahead and try it! Open your mouth like you're taking a big bite and you will notice your head tilts back.
A 2003 study found that all participants with TMJ complaints had either reduced or no cervical extension.
If your TMJ patient has reduced or absent cervical extension (their head doesn't tilt back), then you will have to address the neck.
Learn how to identify, assess, and treat foot drop in this in-depth webinar. This webinar cover causes, clinical testing, and effective treatment strategies to get patients moving again.
A little video I made showing why the ESTIM-II is better than the ESTIM-III.
Hi Doc @Exstoreman, patient presented with neck pain and twitching around scapula and tricep muscles ever since weighted seated rows at gym. The twitching is random. I’ve done exstore and cleaned up tropic changes, he had a lot between c1 to c 5 (splenus capitus). His neck is better but the twitching remains. I’ve checked for trigger points and tropic changes in the area of twitches but nothing obvious stands out. Today I went with perfusion and released neck muscles. Love your thoughts on this.
Sharing my little win treating my own right hand texting thumb yesterday with motor points for opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis, flexor pollicis. 3 needles, 5 minutes treatment with the pointer plus, slightly/very awkwardly with my non-dominant left hand :) and 85% improved today. I have just some residual ache at the 1st MCP, ulnar side. @Exstoreman what do you think of a high frequency intraarticular treatment, or what would be a good next step to get to 100%?
@BrittLeeworthy I gotta say. You been doing some awesome work with your website with your membership section. I'm loving the structure of your plans. I haven't really seen this anywhere else.
How long did it take you to come up with this structure? I been trying to come up with a concise membership plan and what you have is awesome. Just wanted to say.
