Abstract
Purpose: 14% to 26% of headache sufferers are experiencing their
symptoms due to temporomandibular dysfunction. Manual therapy has
been shown to relieve the common myofascial symptoms associated with
temporomandibular joint disorders. However, the possible effect of this
treatment on headaches originating from the temporomandibular joint has
not been sufficiently explored. The aim of this study was thus to determine
the effects of a chiropractic approach to the temporomandibular joint in
patients with chronic headaches.
Method: This study consisted of one group of 30 participants, between the
ages of 18-57. Each participant was accepted into the study based on
their compliance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each participant
received a combination of chiropractic manipulation to the
temporomandibular joint and cervical spine, dry needling of the masseter
and temporalis muscles, active release of the medial and lateral
pterygoids and jaw stretching exercises.
Procedure: Treatment consisted of 6 treatment sessions and one
additional session for readings only. Subjective and objective readings
were taken at the first, fourth and seventh sessions. Subjective data
collected was in the form of the TMJ Scale and a Headache Screening
Questionnaire. Objective data collected was in the form of mouth opening
capability and algometer readings of the trigger points needled.
Results: Each muscle needled showed a statistically significant
improvement (p≤0.05). Mouth opening capability showed no statistically
significant improvement (p>0.05). Of the 13 groups of questions analyzed
in the TMJ Scale, only 5 groups did not show a statistically significant
improvement (p>0.05). The group of questions relating specifically to
headaches and headache symptoms showed a statistically significant...
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)