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Differential Diagnosis of Headaches
Many TMJ/MSD patients will have a history of chronic reoccurring headaches. These headaches can be classified as tension (muscular), migraine (vascular), or neurologic (CNS or peripheral tumor, neuromas, etc.). We must caution that it is extremely difficult to clinically differentiate tension (muscular) headaches from the “ordinary” migraine and these two (muscle and vascular types) compromise the largest group of headache episodes.
There is increasing evidence supporting the premise that hypertonicity within facial muscles is an etiologic factor for some chronic headache patients. This muscular hypertonicity is the result of neurovasomuscular imbalances within the head and neck. Through the analysis of electromyograph (EMG) data, it is possible to construct an intraoral orthosis which creates neuromuscular balance and subsequently relieves the pain. (Drs. Lynn, Mazzocco et al., “ Diagnosis and Treatment of Craniocervical Pain and Headache based on Neuromuscular Parameters” from the American Journal of Pain Management 1992;2: 143-151).
There is growing and compelling evidence from real time objective measurement studies using K7 computerized mandibular scanning (locates jaw position), electromyography (EMGs, records and documents muscle hyper-activity and resting status) combined with ultra low frequency TENS (relaxes muscles and breaks up proprioceptive muscle engrams) that establishing a physiologic muscle rested mandibular to cranial relationship can be determined. A lower anatomically GNM orthotic is custom designed and fabricated to those objectively measured parameters. Once the orthotic is fabricated the clinician then uses his/her skills and understanding to proper adjust the orthotic’s bite to measured physiologic standards.
Based on these objective recordings and techniques using scientific electronic measuring instrumentation as well as skilled use and implementation of GNM micro occlusal adjustment techniques/protocols, trained clinicians around the world who focused on this kind of detailed diagnosis and treatment have recognized the TMD migraine headache type pain have been resolving quickly, effectively and without medications, implementing a finely adjusted (6 dimensional) lower removable GNM Orthotic allowing normalized resting muscular and optimal functional modes. This resting position is optimized to a physiologic determined terminal contact position with freedom of movement free of interferances, eliminating afferent and efferent noxious stimuli.
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Read More:
- TMD Problems that Challenge Dentistry – Four Main Categories
- TMD: Cervical Dysfunction Problems
- TMD: Temporomandibular Joint Primary Problems
- TMD: Class II Division 2 Type Problems
- TMD: Anterior Open Bite Tendency Problems
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Leader in Gneuromuscular and Neuromuscular Dentistry