Related Experiment Videos
Changes in bite force and muscle forces in the upper extremities after counter irritation
Mikiko Fukura1, Koji Kashima, Sho Maeda
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Miyazaki Medical College, Japan.
Cranio : the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice
|February 18, 2004
Summary
Counter-irritation therapy shows promise for enhancing muscle force in physical therapy. Applying ischemic pain remotely increased maximal bite force, suggesting a new approach for treating temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Area of Science:
- Physical Therapy
- Neurology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Physical therapy is a recognized conservative treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
- Restoring masticatory muscle force is crucial for effective TMD treatment.
- Investigating novel methods to enhance muscle function in physical therapy is ongoing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the feasibility of using counter-irritation with ischemic pain at a remote site.
- To assess the effect of remote counter-irritation on restoring muscle force.
- To determine applicability in physical therapy for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) treatment.
Main Methods:
- Twenty healthy female subjects participated in a two-day experimental study.
- Counter-irritation was applied to the left hand using a submaximal tourniquet.
- Maximal bite, finger-pinch, and handgrip forces were measured on the right side, comparing sessions with and without counter-irritation.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher mean maximal bite force was observed with counter-irritation.
- A trend toward higher finger-pinch force was noted with counter-irritation.
- No significant difference in handgrip force was found between conditions.
Conclusions:
- Remote counter-irritation outside the head and neck region may effectively increase bite force.
- This technique shows potential applicability in physical therapy for TMD.
- Further research could explore optimizing counter-irritation for masticatory muscle rehabilitation.