Use of orthopedic manual physical therapy to manage chronic orofacial pain and tension-type headache in an adolescent

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is commonly associated with multiple headache types. While the efficacy of orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) intervention for TMD with/without headache symptoms has been investigated, it has received less attention than other musculoskeletal conditions. This case describes the OMPT treatment and outcome of a 14 year-old female with a 2-year history of facial pain surrounding the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and bilateral occipital and temporal tension-type headaches (TTHs). Intervention consisted of manual mobilization of the TMJ and surrounding cervical/facial soft tissue structures, postural re-education, and patient/family education on prevention, self-treatment, and postural adaptations.

Outcomes included pain free and maximal mouth opening (MMO), pressure pain threshold (PPT) over the masseter muscle belly, fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire-physical activity subscale (FABQ-PA), jaw pain and function questionnaire (JPFQ), visual analog pain scale (VAS) for facial pain, and headache frequency, duration, and intensity on a VAS. The results of the study showed greater pain free and MMO by 22 mm, improved PPT bilaterally by 403·05 kPa on the affected, and 360·88 kPa on the unaffected side, and reduced reported headache frequency, duration, and intensity. Score reductions of 5 points on VAS with MMO, 8 points on FABQ-PA, and 5 points on JPFQ were also noted. Further research is called for to investigate the effects of OMPT on pain processing and functional outcomes in patients with TMD and headache.