Headaches affect a large proportion of society at different ages. They make everyday functioning, learning and going to work more difficult, and lead to a lower mood. Research reports that disorders of the stomatognathic system are the cause of 90% of headaches. The temporomandibular joints are one of the components of the stomatognathic system.
Magdalena Żmuda uses elements of manual therapy and radiofrequency current to relax the muscles of people suffering from headaches. The therapy consisted of three visits. The study results show a positive effect of these procedures. To achieve lasting recovery, physiotherapy consisting of regular visits should be continued, along with a dental consultation.
– The muscular-ligamentous system of the mandible is connected to the structural elements of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and a disorder leads to a pathological relationship between the mandibular head and the articular disc – explains Magdalena Żmuda, MSc. – Another consequence of this process is a change in the tension of the masticatory muscles, and if this condition persists for a longer period, it may lead to headaches. Due to the complex structure and function of the masticatory organ, other symptoms indicating TMJ dysfunction may appear, such as dizziness, fainting, back, neck and shoulder pain, worn teeth, toothache, ringing or whistling in the ears, eye pain, tired jaws, clicking in the temporomandibular joint, jaw locking, bruxism and even facial deformities – the specialist adds.
Interestingly, even pain in distant areas such as the sacroiliac joints, hip joints, knee joints and ankle joints may be caused by functional disorders of the stomatognathic system [zespołu wszystkich elementów twarzowej części czaszki – przyp. red.]. The human body is an integrated whole, and focusing on a single painful area may prove ineffective for the therapy as a whole. Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine,” spoke of a holistic approach to the human being as early as antiquity. He observed that when one organ becomes ill, it causes further consequences and, in reality, the entire body becomes ill. Therefore, treatment of functional disorders of the stomatognathic system should be based on cooperation between many specialists, such as a physiotherapist, dentist, orthopedist, chiropractor, speech therapist and psychologist.
– A holistic approach to the proper functioning of our body requires a balance between three mutually interacting aspects: biomechanics, biochemistry and electromagnetism – says the physiotherapist. – Physiotherapy focuses on biomechanics, which is the most important aspect. Every disturbance in body mechanics triggers a cascade of compensatory processes. The human body is a system of interconnected structures, which is why a disorder at the level of the heel bones may affect the functioning of the temporomandibular joints. This can lead to postural deformities and pain.
Indiba Activ in the fight against stomatognathic system disorders
A study was conducted to assess the effect of manual therapy on reducing headaches in people with temporomandibular joint disorders. The study group consisted of 14 women and 6 men aged 17–55. The primary eligibility criteria were symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders and headaches. Other conditions and diseases were excluded. The therapy consisted of three relaxing procedures performed over a period of three weeks.
Manual therapy techniques and the Indiba Activ device were used. These are radio waves with an intensity of 448 kHz, which deliver thermal and non-thermal current to the tissues through electrodes. Microcirculation in the cells increases, biostimulation is activated and the tissues regenerate. This mechanism enables natural healing processes and accelerates the patient’s recovery.
Patients underwent a subjective assessment of pain intensity. In 19 people (95%), pain decreased after the therapy, while in 1 person (5%), it remained at the same level. Before the therapy, 2 people (10%) reported unbearable pain, 8 people (40%) described it as severe, 8 people (40%) as moderate and 2 people (10%) experienced mild pain. After the relaxing techniques were applied, only 1 person (5%) experienced severe pain, 9 people (45%) moderate pain, 8 people (40%) mild pain and 2 people (10%) no pain.
– Rehabilitation in dentistry is a relatively young field – says Magdalena Żmuda, MSc. – More and more research is being conducted worldwide in this area, increasing public awareness of headache treatment. Currently, conservative treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders includes counselling, exercises, occlusal splint therapy, massage, manual therapy and physiotherapy procedures.