Dry Needling and Spinal Manipulation vs. Interocclusal Appliance (Splint), NSAIDs and Joint Mobs for Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Patients with stress temporomandibular dysfunction will be randomized to receive 1-2 treatment sessions per week for up to 4 weeks ( up to 8 sessions total) of either: (1) dry needling and spinal manipulation or (2) Interocclusal appliance (splint), NSAIDs, temporomandibular joint mobilization.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients at least 18 years old
• Patient referred to physical therapy from a physician or dentist with a diagnosis of temporomandibular dysfunction that is consistent with the Revised TMD Group 1 Muscle Disorders Diagnostic Algorithm. (Dworkin et al.1992; Look et al., 2010]. According to Blanco-Hungria et al. (2015), this category represents 88.7% of patients with TMD.
• History of symptoms related to TMD for at least 3 months
• Intensity of pain related to TMD at least 30mm out 100 per Visual Analogue scale (La Touche et al, 2009; Gonzalez-Ingesias et al., 2013)
• Patient presents with the following: (Gonzalez Perez et al., 2015)

• Strong pain in the anterior part of the lower belly of the LPM on palpation
• Deep-seated pain in the TMJ and/or region of the maxillary sinus (referred pain)
• Significant motor dysfunction (e.g. limited jaw opening, painful protrusion of the chin against resistance, mandibular lateralization to the opposite side upon opening).

Exclusion criteria

• Report of red flags to manual physical therapy to include: severe hypertension, infection, ankylosing spondylitis, neoplasm, uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, stroke, chronic, ischemia, edema, severe varicosities, tumor, metabolic disease, prolonged steroid use, fracture, RA, osteoporosis, severe vascular disease, malignancy, etc.
• Signs or symptoms of disc displacement, arthrosis or arthritis of the temporomandibular joint according to category II and III of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders
• History of traumatic injury such as a fracture or whiplash
• Concomitant diagnosis of any primary headache (i.e. tension type headache or Migraine) except cervicogenic headaches
• History of surgery related to TMD
• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia
• Systemic disease such as RA, lupus erythematosus or psoriatic arthritis
• Presence of neurological disorder such as trigeminal neuralgia
• History of PT, acupuncture or splint treatment within 3 months of the study
• History of taking prescription NSAIDs within 3 months of the study
• History of regularly taking non-prescription NSAIDs (i.e. more than intermittent) within 3 months of the study
• Known sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, with impaired coagulation or with ulcer, kidney or liver problems.
• Cadiac pacemaker, metal allergy or severe needle phobia
• Serious cardiovascular, cerebral disease, psychiatric disorder or cognitive Impairment
• Pregnancy