The Effects of Trigger Point Treatment in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

TMD is most common of pain and functional limitations of jaw. The ischemic compression and the exercises (Rocabado's 6x6 exercises and posture exercises) each relieve pain and increase funcitonality on TMD but which one has the more effect should be investigated.

The ROCABODO's 6x6 exercise program, which is a special for temporomandibular joint, includes repetitive movements that include patient education, patient self-care, lifestyle modifications, and recognizing which actions have the effect of increasing the symptoms of an individual's active participation. The repetitive movements relax the chewing muscles and reduce pain by helping the synovial fluid move along the joint surfaces, increasing circulation, removing joint nutrition, and removing the metabolites of articular cartilage.

Postural exercise is commonly used for pain/tension in neck or back, but can also be applied in the orofacial region, aiming to relief muscle symptoms such as pain, tension, stiffness, and tiredness ,by improving the position of the head or the mandibular. It is believed that wrong head position can cause muscle pain due to acceleration of muscle activity in the neck and jaw muscles, as well as postural reflex. Postural exercise includes head posture correction and myofascial release.

Ischemic compression, that is a frequently used manual pressure technique, is a pressure application that is applied with the thumb to the maximum tolerable pain point on the trigger points. With this application, the sense of pain signals reduce pain by inhibiting the sense of touch signals.

The aim of this study to investigate the effectiveness of trigger point treatments (ischemic compression) on pain intensity, chronic pain severity, ROM, PPT and functionality on patient with TMD. 42 patients were randomized into 2 groups : Group 2 (n:21) received only exercises (Rocabado's 6x6 exercises and posture exercises) as treatment, Group 1(n:21) received exercises (Rocabado's 6x6 exercises and posture exercises) and ischemic compression as treatment.The rest, activity and night pain in activity were assessed by visual analog scale, ROM assessed by a ruler and PPT assessed by a digital algometer at baseline (before treatment), after 1week treatment, after 2 week treatment and after 4 week treatment. Chronic pain severity were assessed by Graded Chronic Pain Scale version 2 and functionality were assessed by Jaw Function Limitation Scale-8 at baseline (before treatment) and after 4 week treatment. The efect size was calculated for the assessments used in the study.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of TMD according to the criteria of DC / TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders)
• Detection of trigger point during palpation of masticatory muscles
• Volunteer to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• To have undergone TMJ or cervical surgery and have been treated from these regions in the last 3 months
• Presence of rheumatic disease including TMJ
• Patients with TMJ instability or fractures
• Cases with cognitive impairment
• Presence of chronic pain such as trigeminal neuralgia
• Cases who do not regularly participate in treatment are excluded from the study.