Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders and Headache

Presented by Anne Harrison

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Physical therapists have a central role in the interprofessional team or as the primary practitioner providing care for people with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and other orofacial pain. The two previous courses focused on examination and evaluation of people presenting with TMD and other more common orofacial pains encountered by the general practitioner. In this course, the physical therapist will gain the information to form the optimal plan of care based on the patient’s treatment classification and informed by the current best evidence.

Meet your instructor

Anne Harrison

Dr. Harrison is an Associate Professor and Director of Professional Studies of Physical Therapy in the Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on aging, balance, and postural stability and interdisciplinary aspects of functional health in older adults. She also focuses on…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Introduction, Care for Patients with Sensitization

1. Introduction, Care for Patients with Sensitization

Chapter one will introduce the objectives and provide an overview of principles related to management of sensitization for patients with orofacial pain. We'll learn key principles of management of central sensitization processes through education based on addressing key domains of the neuromatrix of pain and recognize the need to help the patient with orofacial pain prevent and/or manage central and peripheral sensitization.

Management of Masticatory Muscle Disorders

2. Management of Masticatory Muscle Disorders

Masticatory muscle disorders are the most common diagnostic classification represented among patients seeking care for orofacial pain in physical therapy outpatient clinics. Chapter two will provide an overview of clinical decision making in providing interventions for people with masticatory muscle disorders, based on evaluation and informed by evidence and interprofessional practice. This will include a brief overview of the relevance and key influence of the cervical spine.

Management of Joint Disorders

3. Management of Joint Disorders

Joint disorders are also very common among people presenting with orofacial pain. Chapter three will provide an overview of clinical decision making in providing interventions for people with joint disorders, including disc disorders, and joint arthralgia/inflammation. This decision making will be based on evaluation and informed by evidence and interprofessional practice.

Case Study

4. Case Study

In this chapter, we will apply the evaluation of Ms. Chavez to develop the plan of care.