Maxillofacial physiotherapy

Maxillofacial physiotherapy is an innovative treatment for patients requiring facial and maxillary muscle function. Specialized exercises and therapy methods help to improve the health and quality of life of patients. Their goal is not only to reduce pain and discomfort, but also to restore the normal functioning of chewing, speaking and breathing, as well as to prevent further disorders of the face and jaw. By combining these procedures with the individual needs of the patient, long-term and effective results can be achieved.

Jaw physiotherapy

Jaw physiotherapy is intended for patients experiencing pain, discomfort or dysfunction in the jaw area. It is an individually adapted treatment method, the purpose of which is to restore the mobility of the jaw joint, reduce pain and prevent further dysfunction.

This therapy includes performing special exercises that help strengthen the jaw muscles, improve joint stability and coordination. The physiotherapist, based on a detailed assessment of the patient’s condition, creates a personal exercise program that may include both room therapy and home exercises.

Genital physiotherapy is particularly effective in the treatment of various jaw joint dysfunctions, including temporomandibular joint (SAGI) disorders, and pains that may be associated with improper jaw position or habits, such as teeth grinding.

Facial physiotherapy

Facial physiotherapy is aimed at strengthening facial muscles and improving flexibility. It is important both aesthetically and functionally, as the health of the facial muscles directly affects a person’s appearance, speech and even breathing.

During facial physiotherapy, patients are prescribed special exercises that help restore or improve facial muscle tone, reduce facial muscle tension and pain, as well as improve facial symmetry. This therapy can be useful for those who suffer from facial nerve paralysis (Bel’s paralysis) or simply want to improve the condition of their facial muscles.

Exercises are performed according to an individually drawn up plan, taking into account the patient’s needs and condition. The physiotherapist constantly monitors the progress and adjusts the treatment plan if necessary.

Myofunctional therapy

An individual exercise program is drawn up during myofunctional therapy. Exercises are designed to train the muscles of the lips, tongue, chewing, facial muscles and their function. When performing exercises, an irregularly formed habit (for example, the tongue constantly at the bottom of the mouth) encourages to transform into a regular one (for example, during rest, the tongue to the palate).

Treatment of myofunctional therapy lasts about 1 year. For the first 2 months Visits are required every 1-2 weeks, the next 4 months. Every 2-3 weeks After that only once a month.

Myofunctional therapy is applied both to children (from 5-6 years of age, i.e. the child must already understand what is wanted from him and be able to perform exercises) and in adults.

The main problems in which patients should consult a myofunctional therapy specialist are:

• mouth breathing;
• unfastened lips at rest;
• irregular resting position of the tongue;
• short tongue tie;
• short lip line;
• atypical swallowing (difficulty swallowing, additional, auxiliary muscles are involved in this action);
• chewing disorders;
• facial muscle disorders;
• weak masticatory muscles;
• irregular language;
• Temple Disorders of the jaw joint;
• sleep disorders;
• Teeth grinding.

A myofunctional therapy specialist can also help children with bad habits that affect the entire facial jaw system, such as thumb, pacifier, blanket sucking, nail biting.

Facial hemolymph drainage massage

For patients after surgical intervention of the jaw, rehabilitation should begin with facial hemolymphatic drainage massage. It is a unique technique that differs from classic lymphatic drainage in that it has many massage techniques that simulate muscle contraction and vascular pulsation, and also has a specific effect not only on the lymphatic system, but also on the venous system.

The effect of hemolymphatic drainage massage:

• Strengthening immunity.
• Activation of diuresis.
• The elimination of metabolic products from the body is activated.
• Reduction of swelling, swelling.
• Removal of staging in tissues and muscles.
• Activation of oxidative processes.
• Heart rate and arterial blood pressure decrease.

It has been observed that patients who had a course of hemolymphatic drainage massage passed the early postoperative period much more easily, the swelling lasted for a shorter period of time, and the soft tissues of the face were more relaxed. Also, they often avoided muscle contractures and regained normal range of motion.

Electrostimulation

Electrostimulation is used to activate and strengthen tissue function. During it, damaged nerves and muscles are affected. Long-term stimulation of the muscle strengthens its strength, tone and endurance. Contraction and relaxation of muscle fibers promotes peripheral blood flow, metabolic processes.

Electrostimulation effect:

• stimulates nerves;
• Strengthens muscle strength, tone and endurance;
• improves tissue nutrition and metabolism;
• dilates blood vessels;
• inhibits the swelling of the tissues around the nerves;
• Strengthens the senses.

Thus, electrostimulation provides multifaceted benefits.

Heat therapy

In rehabilitation, heat therapy is primarily used to relieve pain, increase the elasticity of soft tissues, improve blood circulation and promote tissue healing. These therapeutic effects occur because heat affects the body’s hemodynamic, neuromuscular and metabolic processes.

The duration of the procedure can vary from a few to a dozen minutes. The patient feels a pleasant, gentle warmth.

Coordination of jaw muscle strength and activity – stabilization

Very often, after jaw operations or in the case of problems with the jaws, soft tissues of the jaw also appear, i.e. y. Muscle activity disorders. Muscles weaken, they cannot fully perform their function. An imbalance occurs between both sides of the jaw, the muscles of one side of the jaw are weak, and the other is stronger, tense, overworked, as they try to compensate for the work of the weak side.

In this case, jaw physiotherapy can help restore normal jaw muscle function and strength. External force and resistance induces isometric muscle contraction, training muscle strength and coordination.

The goal is that all the muscles surrounding the jaw work in a coordinated manner and that other structures are not loaded, for example: the joint.

Relaxing the trigger points of the face, head, neck muscles

Trigger point massage is a form of therapeutic massage in which all pressure is applied to specific points-sensitive muscle tissues to reduce muscle tension and pain.

Trigger point massage is suitable for almost everyone. Muscles with active trigger points are always weaker than normal muscles and cannot fully move. Often, because they cannot fully perform their functions, other muscles are forced to perform their actions. Trigger points can also develop in these secondary muscles if the underlying muscles are not treated.

Discomfort may be felt during this procedure, but the physiotherapist will try to reduce the discomfort as much as possible until the muscle is completely relaxed. Most of the time, you also need to do exercises at home to help you restore your former muscle functions faster.

Mobilization of the temporomandibular joint (SAŽS)

Mobilization relaxes the joint capsule, moves the synovial fluid, improves movements between the joint surfaces, and reduces pain.

Objectives of mobilization:

• Restore joint function to the desired position.
• to restore the amplitude of movements.
• reduce pain.

signs that may indicate temporomandibular joint pathology:

• Constant pain is not related to jaw movement.
• pain that does not go away at rest (even greater at night than during the day);
• The pain spreading is unknown, wandering.
• gradual deterioration of the condition.
• decrease in muscle strength, power.
• Jaws or other sounds are heard during jaw movements.

In the presence of these symptoms, SAŽS mobilization may be useful.

Neck muscle energy techniques

RE (English Muscle Energy Techniques – Met) are gentle, active manual therapy techniques used in conservative treatment of spine and limb pain syndromes and movement disorders. Applying this technique to the neck can achieve excellent results in eliminating neck muscle tension, neck pain and throughout the body. This technique helps to relax the neck muscles and regain normal amplitudes of neck movements.

All these procedures are intended for both children and adults to improve their quality of life, reduce pain, restore functions and prevent further health disorders. This is an effective solution for those looking for ways to relax the facial muscles.