The National Institute of Health estimates that four billion dollars are spent on diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the United States every year and that TMD is the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition resulting in pain and disability (after chronic low back pain). TMDs are a subclassification of musculoskeletal disorders and, as such, fall within the scope of practice for doctors of chiropractic.
This website was created to help chiropractors, dentists, oral surgeons, physical therapists, medical physicians and other health care practitioners more effectively recognize temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to provide a simple, yet accurate, diagnostic workup. Referral patterns, treatment plans and interdisciplinary cooperation are also covered.
While this website contains TMD examination and treatment guidelines appropriate for any practitioner and any TMD case, there is an emphasis on sudden onset cases, e.g. whiplash induced TMD. I've chosen to emphasize this because timely diagnosis and treatment of these patients may prevent, or at least minimize, the impact of the chronic pain often associated with TMD.
Home care, referral protocols, TMJ manipulation/mobilization, and physiotherapy guidelines are also included and are demonstrated on the training DVD.
Whiplash injuries and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are both capable of producing a constellation of symptoms. These symptoms include headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, dizziness and tinnitus. Jaw pain may or may not be a prevalent complaint.
Doctors seeing whiplash patients must be aware that whiplash can cause TMJ injury and that the symptoms can mimic cervical injury. Timely and accurate diagnosis can minimize protracted pain and suffering, misdirected treatment and medico-legal disputes. The educational tools in this website will help the health care practitioner to better develop a work up that is accurate as to patho-etiology, referral patterns, differential diagnosis, treatment options and, when necessary, medico-legal management.