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Title | Know your body: Muscles, Bones & Co | Technology & Training | Strength for Life | ARCHIVE

The jaw and its muscles

With eating comes life and vitality! Nature has provided us with a perfectly designed tool that ensures we enjoy eating throughout our lives – the masticatory system.

The masticatory system comprises the organs and tissue that contribute directly to the process of chewing. The upper jaw (maxilla) is a nonmoving cranial bone. In contrast, the lower jaw (mandible) is able to move thanks to the temperomandibular joint. With the help of masticatory muscles, the lower jaw is able to rotate and slide relative to the upper jaw, i.e. when we chew, speak or yawn, only the lower jaw moves.

The masticatory muscles are divided into the muscles that open the mouth (lateral pterygoid muscle) and the muscles of the mouth base and those that close the mouth (temporal muscle, masseter muscle and medial pterygoid muscle). They are all attached to cranial bones.

Healthy bite
If the masticatory system is healthy and functioning properly, the position of the upper and lower jaws when we close the mouth (occlusion) is neutral. In the so-called “bite position“, contact is even from the rear molars through to the front canines. As a result, the upper jaw and lower jaw provide ideal mutual support. When we move the lower jaw to the side – e.g. when chewing – the contact between the canine teeth guides the lower jaw as it moves to the side and so reduces the strain on the jaw joints and protects molars and pre-molars. In a healthy jaw, the top and bottom incisors are not in contact unless the lower jaw is pushed forward, i.e. if we pout. This interaction between the upper and lower jaw ensures that the masticatory system works properly and prevents strain or damage to the joints.

However, many of us do not have an ideal bite position. Fortunately, our masticatory system is very adaptable and can normally adjust to minor and in some cases major deviations. Often, a tooth or jaw disorder will only develop if we experience an additional strain over and above the existing deviation For example, whiplash injuries, stress or poorly fitting dentures, crowns, bridges or fillings can disturb the individual balance.

What effect does Kieser Training have on …

… CMD-syndrome?

A tooth, mouth or joint dysfunction is not only unattractive but can also trigger problems such as back pain.

Such dysfunctions are collectively known as Craniomandibular Dysfunctions, CMD Syndrome for short. CMD Syndrome can develop if, for example, there is no canine contact when we bite together or if teeth other than the canines are in contact during lateral movements. If the incisors are in contact with each other when we bite, this can force the lower jaw into an awkward position and as a result, the joint has insufficient room. This often causes a pathological change to the mandibular joints and may, for example, manifest itself in the form of noise when the joint moves. However, the masticatory muscles also suffer because they are permanently tense and subject to chronic stress.

These muscles may be small but their impact is far reaching: The central nervous system sends a message to the brain telling it about the disorder. In response, the brain transmits this information to other muscle areas. This can cause muscle imbalances or orthopaedic problems, e.g. back or shoulder pain or pelvic misalignment. Other typical symptoms of CMD include headaches, tinnitus, dizziness and jaw pain.

KKieser Training with bite – strength training for back problems
Targeted strength training done at the right intensity corrects muscle imbalances, strengthens weak muscles and can prevent or alleviate pain. In addition, it has a positive effect on the masticatory muscles. The following machines are suitable for those with CMD Syndrome: G1 (neck and shoulder) strengthens the upper section of the trapezius muscle; this muscle raises the shoulder girdle and is partly responsible for keeping the shoulder blade in the correct position. G3 (4-way neck - side) strengthens the sternocleidomastoid muscles. The neck stretch on the G5 is also important as it strengthens the posterior muscles of the head. The C5 (rowing torso) strengthens the muscles that pull the shoulders backwards and straightens the dorsal spine. The D7 (seated dip) works the muscles that pull the shoulders down towards the rear ribs. The E2 (lateral raise – see Machine of the month) is also recommended – with handholds in position 4 or 5. Finally, a medical evaluation ensures that your programme is tailored to your specific needs.

Summary: Strength training cannot cure a craniomandibular dysfunction but it can help correct the position of the body and so reduce or even eliminate symptoms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doctor‘s tip

What to do if CMD torments your back?

If CMD symptoms are severe or chronic, a medical examination followed by Medical Strengthening Therapy is recommended. The Cervical Extension Therapy Machine (for the cervical spine) and the Lumbar Extension Therapy Machine (for the lumbar spine) are able to diagnose and treat muscle deficits.

As well as doing Medical Strengthening Therapy, a detailed functional analysis of the mandibular joints is recommended for those with craniomandibular dysfunctions. This applies particularly if pathological jaw changes have already occurred and if joints are making a noise. Therapy can re-position the lower jaw, correct the bite and so alleviate jaw pain and encourage spinal regeneration.

This should always be done by a CMD specialist. The conventional therapy is for the patient to wear a “dental guard” at night in order to reposition the jaw and eliminate the stress. The problem with this therapy is that during the day and when you eat, teeth contact reverts to the old position and so strain cannot be eliminated on a 24-hour basis. For more difficult cases, it has recently been possible to fit transparent Cranio Caps that ensure that the bite remains correct both day and night. They fit over the teeth but are not visible and ensure that the contact between the teeth is correct. On completion of the CMD treatment, therapy can continue based on the new bite position.

Title | Know your body: Muscles, Bones & Co | Technology & Training | Strength for Life | ARCHIVE