• Clenching of the jaw and teeth grinding (bruxism);
• Pain in the face, jaw or head;
• Tinnitus;
• Facial paralysis (bell’s palsy);
• Nonspecific facial pain;
• Dizziness and BPPD;
• Neck and shoulder pain;
• Headaches and forms of migraine;
• Consequences of accidents and broken bones;
• Complaints in the head and neck area due to cancer, rheumatism or another disease;
• Complaints in the head and neck area related to tension or stress.

The orofacial physical therapist explains how the position of the head and body are related to the symptoms. He provides insight into the relationship of stress, tension and (daily) strain and the patient’s load capacity.
The orofacial physical therapist provides information about how the chewing system works and advises how to use the chewing system properly. He helps unlearn habits that overload the chewing system, such as clenching molars, tongue pressing and teeth grinding. Specific exercises are used for these complaints. The orofacial physical therapist additionally uses manual techniques such as mobilization and massage in the head and neck area and neck/shoulders.

The orofacial physical therapist provides insight into what the relationship is between these symptoms and stress, sleep, breathing and attention to the symptoms. Orofacial physical therapy can also help improve posture – and thus the position of the head on the body. In this way, you create rest and balance for the head, neck and neck muscles. There are specific exercises for these complaints and manual techniques can also be used, such as mobilization or massage.

An integral part of orofacial treatment is teaching patients what they themselves can do to reduce and prevent symptoms. Examples include: improving body or work posture, relaxation exercises of the head, neck and shoulders, teaching self-massage of chewing muscles so they relax or mobilizing exercises to increase mouth opening and exercises that improve the function of the chewing system or head and neck area.

Also for teeth grinding and/or clenching (an often persistent and difficult problem) MCN has an innovative and often effective treatment in which the jaw physiotherapist, dentist and gnatholologist work together with MCN’s clinical hypnotherapist

General advice
– Avoid opening your mouth wide when yawning
and laugh. Here you can support the lower jaw
So that the mouth does not open wide.
– Bite food as much as possible with the canines or
molars (and not with the front teeth).
– Put small amounts of food in the mouth
(Cut apples or hard bread into small pieces).
– Avoid hard or tough foods.
– Be careful to avoid prolonged loading of the
jaw joints and muscle avoidance: nail biting,
teeth grinding, clenching, gum chewing,
pen biting, chin resting, belly sleeping etc.
– Often it is advisable to chew correctly at the
painful side (this prevents prying and slanting
load in the affected joint).
– At rest, it is recommended that the teeth be slightly
loose apart with the tongue resting against the
palate and the lips are together.
– Try to adopt a proper sitting posture,
Avoid sitting in one position for long periods of time and make sure
That your workplace is properly set up (proper height
desk and good back support).
– Regular relaxation and proper arrangement of your
time can prevent stress and overload!