Acupuncture treatment for Temporomandibular Disorder
<p>Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common disorder, which, if treated by conventional conservative therapy (splints, exercise, physiotherapy), is expected to be completely cured in about 60% of cases. <br /><br />
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) includes a variety of conditions associated with pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masticatory muscles. An estimated 20% of the population is affected, with 10% to 20% of those seeking treatment. These disorders also are referred to as "temporomandibular dysfunction," "craniomandibular disorders," and "mandibular dysfunction." <br />
The presenting symptoms of TMD are: (1) intermittent or persistent pain in the masticatory muscles or the TMJ, and less frequently in adjacent structures; (2) limitations or deviations of mandibular movement; and (3) TMJ sounds. A variety of other symptoms, such as tinnitus, abnormal swallowing, and hyoid bone tenderness, also may occur. Quality of life may be affected, with a negative effect on social function, emotional health, and energy level. <br />
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Medlicott SM, Harris SR. A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Exercise, Manual Therapy, Electrotherapy, Relaxation Training, and Biofeedback in the Management of Temporomandibular Disorder. Physical Therapy 2006; 86(7): 955-973. <br />
Acupuncture is expected to be effective in TMD as it generally is in other musculoskeletal disorders. However, very little information could be found on the subject. <br />
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* Dr. Leon Chaitow, D.O., N.D. (1990) recommends needling LI 4, ST 7, GB 2 and auricular Mouth point for jaw pain. <br />
* Dr. Chen Decheng (2001), former professor of of the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, recommends treating TMD by needling Xiaguan (ST 7) with the reported cure rate of 75.8% (based on observation of 33 cases). <br />
* Dr. Tom Thayer (2006), Chairman of British Dental Acupuncture Society, recommends for TMD acupuncture at any combination of ST 5, ST 6, ST 7, ST 8 (mostly bilaterally) +/- BL 10, BL 11, GB 20, GB 21, SI 19, LR 3, LI 4 and ST 36. He, however, rather represents Western medical acupuncture than TCM. <br />
What acupuncture treatment would you recommend for this condition? <br />
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Do you know any published researches of the effectiveness of acupuncture for its treatment?</p> <p>Dear Sergiy, <br />
I think the points listed in the material is commonly used in clinic for TMD. <br />
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The foreigners learned acupuncture from China or from Chinese, and I don't think they are much different from the TCM acupuncture. <br />
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But in China, every acupuncture practitioner would have more or less different needling techniques.<br />
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So, I think that's the difference.<br />
<br />
D.K.</p>
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