L4: JAW OPENING AND CLOSING Teaching points

Lesson instructions:

Read the exercise instructions below
Scroll down to watch the video (coming soon!)
Scroll down to read contraindications and what to say to patients

Instructional video coming soon!

Contraindications

• Excessive pain in the temporomandibular joint during this exercise
• Temporomandibular joint hypermobility* – patients with hypermobility should be encouraged to avoid end range positions^ (9)

*Indicators for temporomandibular joint hypermobility include:

• Clicking (55) (although this may be a normal anatomical variation and anterior disc displacement can occur without clicking) (54)
• General hypermobility (systemic joint laxity) (56)
• History of trauma (56)
• Previous episode of dislocation
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan’s syndrome (53)

^During daily activities patients with hypermobility should be taught not to depress their mandible farther than the position that permits the tip of the tongue to maintain contact with the hard palate just posterior to the upper incisors. (9)

What to say to patients

“This exercise is for basic mobility and alignment of your jaw. Movement encourages nutrients to move from the joint fluid into the surrounding tissues, which may help the healing process.”