Jaw Mobilization and Stretching

 

Motion therapy products utilize treatments to improve a patient's range-of-motion, reduce pain, overcome joint and muscle dysfunction, and prevent trismus. These therapies are indicated for patients recovery and rehabilitation from surgery, trauma, cancer, radiation, systemic disorders, and genetic conditions.

 

Joints require motion to stay healthy. Joints have no blood vessels within them, and thus rely on motion to gently pump fluids and nutrients between the surrounding tissues and the joint itself. With motion providing a healthy joint environment, the tissues are able to heal and regenerate with minimal scarring, pain and swelling.

 

Therabite

Passive motion therapy provides movement and stretching without the need for CPM therapy. The OraStretch™ Press and the TheraBite® Rehabilitation System are passive motion devices. They are designed for simple hanheld use, to stretch the jaw and strengthen the muscles. Passive motion is often used to treat and prevent trismus from cancer, radiation, arthritis, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, TMJD, trauma, etc.

 

Continuous passive motion or CPM is the most intensive CPMtherapy.CPMtherapy utilizes a motor driven device to repetitively move the muscles, joints and tissues. This constant motion keeps the muscles relaxed and swelling down, for reduced pain and the gradual recovery of movement. CPM is most often used immediately after major joint surgeries for the quickest recovery and to prevent the development of scar tissue. CPM therapy is the standard in orthopedic care for knees, shoulders, and other major joints. CMR, Inc. offers the the Pacer CPM for patients recovering from joint replacements, arthrotomies, andserious joint dysfunction. We also have the FMA translator that provides lateral motion,.for unique patient looking for an alternative therapy to improve jaw function and overcome dysfunction.

 

 

A variety of self-exercises are available and physical therapists can provide massage, ultrasound and other therapies for patients looking to overcome trismus. However, because of the location in the mouth and the small size of the temporomandibular joint, stretching can be very difficult and the use CPM or passive motion devices are highly recommended.