Effects of Manual Therapy and Home Exercise in Bruxism

Various soft tissue and joint mobilizations, intramuscular stretches, trigger point treatments, and intraoral applications for the temporomandibular joint were performed in 15 randomly selected bruxism patients. Soft tissue mobilization techniques were applied bilaterally on the trigger points in the masseter, temporal, lateral and medial pterygoid muscles of the masticatory muscles in the transverse direction from inside and outside the mouth. In addition, deep friction massage and myofascial relaxation techniques were applied to suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles, sternocleidomastoid, scalene, upper trapezius, levator scapula and suboccipital muscles until relaxation was felt. In addition, distraction and bridging techniques were applied in the suboccipital region to release the tissue and fascia techniques were applied in the cervical region to loosen the fascia. The manual therapy procedure, which was applied in the supine position and lasted approximately 40 minutes for 8 weeks

The exercise group consisted of 15 randomly selected bruxist individuals and aimed to reduce pain, decrease involuntary contractions of masticatory muscles, increase their nutrition, flexibility and coordination, and strengthen weak muscles with exercise therapy. These exercises consist of resistant isometric jaw movements to increase coordination and relaxation of the masticatory muscles (post isometric relaxation technique), Rocabado exercises, stretching and posture exercises for temporal, masseter and suprahyoid muscles as well as neck muscles. All individuals in this group were taught the programmed exercises practically and were asked to repeat the home exercises (lasting approximately 25 minutes) three times a week for 8 weeks. In addition, a video explaining the exercises in detail was shared with all participants in the group in order to ensure that the exercises were not forgotten and to achieve accuracy and standardization among the participants.