Title:
Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument: a prospective case series
A ChiroSecure Research Update
Abstract:
To determine if there was a basis for the treatment of temporomandibular disease (TMD) using the chiropractic protocol developed by Activator Methods, International.
Discussion:
Nine adult volunteers with articular TMD recruited from the practice of the treating clinician. Main outcome measures Change from baseline to follow-up of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and maximum active mouth opening without pain.
Full spine and TMJ adjusting in accordance with the advanced protocol of Activator Methods, International. Participants were typically seen 3 times per week for 2 weeks and according to individual progress thereafter for 6 more weeks.
Eight participants completed outcome assessments. The median VAS decrease was 45 mm (range 21-71); all experienced improvement. The median increase of mouth opening was 9 mm (range 1-15); all showed improvement.
Conclusion:
The results of this prospective case series indicated that the TMD symptoms of these participants improved following a course of treatment using the Activator Methods, International protocol. Consequently, further investigation of this type of chiropractic treatment for patients with the articular type of TMD is warranted.
Reference:
Devocht JW, Long CR, Zeitler DL, Schaeffer W. Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument: a prospective case series. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Sep;26(7):421-5. doi: 10.1016/S0161-4754(03)00096-4. PMID: 12975628. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12975628/