Manual Therapy Treatment of the Temporomandibular Joint

Course Description

This course will provide the clinician with a thorough and in-depth understanding of temporomandibular anatomy, biomechanics, and temporomandibular dysfunctions and how they create pain.  Learn to treat the temporomandibular joint through joint mobilization, myofascial release, posture re-education, and exercises.  Each participant will have the skills to immediately apply the methods learned in this course.

This course has been developed with the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant in mind.  This is an intermediate course, no prerequisites are required and new graduates are welcome.

TMD Schedule

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Course Objectives

At the completion of this seminar, the participant will be able to:

  • (given a patient record) quantify progress represented in the four objective measurement results for the treatment of the temporomandibular joint and cervical spine.
  • correctly palpate the primary and accessory muscles of the temporomandibular joint and neck.
  • design a treatment plan of care for the primary and accessory muscles of the temporomandibular joint and neck
  • correctly and independently perform at least 8 basic mobilizations of the temporomandibular joint and cervical spine as shown in the manual.
  • design an instructional program or materials for posture, strengthening and stretching exercises for the temporomandibular joint and neck as shown in the manual.

Course Instructors

Katherine Tan

PT, MS, OCS, CCTT

Katherine graduated with a Master of Science in physical therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1999. She practices physical therapy in the areas of orthopedics and manual therapy and is certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association. In 2008, she became a Certified Cervical and Temporomandibular Therapist (CCTT). By earning this advanced specialty certification, Katherine has been recognized by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain for her dedication to the treatment of neck, jaw, and head pain. She currently works for Fishbein Physical Therapy in New York City and is enrolled in a residency program in Functional Manual Therapy.

Katherine Tan

Course Outline

Saturday

7:30am

Continental Breakfast

8:00am

Lecture: Introduction, Anatomy: Bones, Joint, Articular Disk, Disk Attachments, Ligaments

10:15am

Lecture: Anatomy: Primary Muscles of Mastication, Suprahyoid, Infrahyoid

11:00am

Lecture: Motions of the TMJ

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lecture: Gathering Subjective Information

2:00pm

Lab: Measure Posture, Observe Respiration, Inspection of Teeth, Measure Jaw Motions

3:00pm

Lab: Palpate Joint Opening, Begin External Muscular Palpation and MFR

5:00pm

Lab: Review of Evidence-Based Literature

5:30pm

Adjourn

Sunday

7:30am

Continental Breakfast

8:00am

Lab: Continue Muscular Palpation and MFR

9:30am

Lab: Intraoral Palpation

10:15am

Lab: TMJ Mobilizations

12:00pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm

Lab: OA Joint Dysfunction, Cervical Joint Dysfunctions

3:45pm

Lab: Case Studies/ Speed Mobilizations/MFR

4:30pm

Lab: Review of Evidence-Based Literature

5:00pm

Adjourn

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