Physiotherapy in diagnosis and treatment of the myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome

Thirty-four patients with the Myofascial Pain Dysfunction (M.P.D.) syndrome of the masticatory system were investigated and treated using physiotherapy techniques. Resisted static contraction of the temporomandibular joints, passive movement tests of the muscles and electromyography indicated that the joint function was abnormal in all cases with minimal muscle involvement. Cervical spine tests indicated that pain referral from the cervical spine was involved in 19 of 34 patients (56%). Physiotherapy treatment armed at restoring a normal painless range of movement to the temporomandibular joint was successful in six of 10 patients (60%). Generalized relaxation therapy with biofeedback was successful in 19 of 24 patients (80%). It was found that with the five of 24 patients (20%) in whom generalized relaxation failed, there were significant psychiatric factors.