Jaw physiotherapy, Craniofacial therapy (CRAFTA) or Orofacial therapy

 

What is Jaw Physiotherapy?

 

Jaw physiotherapy is a collective name for techniques for the treatment of various jaw, neck, shoulder and head complaints.

 

These treatments help reduce pain, stiffness and other symptoms of ailments through exercise, manual therapy  and advice on posture and movement. 

 

By training the (jaw) muscles and improving the freedom of movement of the temporomandibular joint, the patient can function normally again. 

 

Mind Your Motion specializes in jaw physiotherapy and is very experienced with Orofacial physiotherapy, Craniofacial therapy (also known as CRAFTA) and voice treatment. Our team will help you deal with a variety of complaints.

 

Which complaints can be treated well with jaw physiotherapy?

 

Common complaints from our patients are neck, jaw, headache, neck and voice complaints. 

Roughly speaking, complaints can be divided into problems in the mouth and facial area and/or problems in the head area. 

 

Frequently heard complaints in the mouth and facial area are: 

 

-     Mouth and face pain

-     Jaw complaints 

-     Teeth grinding and jaw clamps (bruxism)

-     Myofacial disorders in the masticatory system

-     Toothache with a source other than the dental nerve

-     Status after fracture or facial/jaw surgery

 

Complaints common in the main area: 

 

-     Cervicogenic (neck) and tension headaches

-     Dizziness, vertigo

-     Migraine and atypical headaches

-     Skull trauma

-    ringing in the ears (tinnitus), atypical ear pain and otalgia

-     Atypical mouth pain

-     (Atypical) facial pain

-     Orofacial problems

-     Whiplash

 

Together with you we analyze what the complaints are with an interview. Subsequently, the therapist will formulate a hypothesis for the possible cause. 

This is followed by a physical examination, which includes a functional examination of the temporomandibular joint, neck, skull and nerves in the skull and facial region. 

 

Based on the research, we draw up a treatment plan together, giving an indication of the number of treatments and the expected duration of the process.

 

Which forms of jaw physiotherapy are there?

 

There are several specialties, namely Orofacial Physiotherapy and Craniofacial Therapy (also known as CRAFTA). 

 

Orofacial physiotherapy focuses on problems with muscles and joints in the head or neck and on chewing. Orofacial physiotherapists have knowledge of dentistry, dizziness complaints, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and neck complaints, but also, for example, of the effects of cancer in the head and neck area. 

 

Craniofacial therapy is a form of treatment that deals with complaints and disorders in the head, neck, face and jaw area. The therapy is given by specialized physio/manual therapists and is often carried out in consultation with a dentist, ENT specialist, paediatrician, orthodontist and/or neurologist.

 

Are there jaw muscle exercises that I can do myself to reduce complaints?

 

In order to handle complaints in a responsible manner, we always recommend that a diagnosis be carried out by a trained specialist. Based on the diagnosis, advice can be given about appropriate exercises. 

 

The following exercises can help for acute relief of jaw muscle complaints.

 

Masticatory muscle massage (reduction of pain in the jaw muscles)

 

While sitting, bring the index finger and middle finger to the earlobe and place the fingers 2 centimeters forward from this point, on the cheek. Make circular movements on the painful point. Do the movement 15 times and repeat this set 3 times a day. 

 

Jaw hinge exercise (easing the chewing movement of the jaw)

 

While sitting, bring the index finger and middle finger to the earlobe and place the fingers 2 centimeters forward from this point, on the cheek. Put your tongue against your palate, intentionally open and close the jaw.
 

 

Is jaw physiotherapy reimbursed by health insurers?

 

Jaw physiotherapy is only reimbursed if you are additionally insured for physiotherapy. Mind your Motion has concluded contracts with all health insurers for 2023. A referral from a doctor or specialist is not necessary. 

If you do not have additional insurance for physiotherapy, you can pay privately. Current prices for treatment can be found on our rate list.

 

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Make an appointment for an intake

At Mind your Motion, our goal is to help clients get rid of complaints sustainably as quickly as possible. Part of this is that we share knowledge about what clients can do themselves to ensure that the complaints do not recur. Make here an appointment for a jaw physiotherapy consultation in our practice in Amsterdam West near the Vondelpark.