Appropriately trained allied health professionals can play a vital role in the effective management of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs).  This two-day practical workshop is an advanced course for clinicians (physical therapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, medical practitioners) who have completed a basic Mulligan course.  

An allied health professional specialising in orofacial pain and TMD needs advanced knowledge of orofacial anatomy, neurophysiology, pain neuroscience, psychosocial factors, and how dysfunction elsewhere in the body can affect TMD. They should be able to perform a comprehensive clinical examination and develop an effective treatment plan using a biopsychosocial framework. Physical therapists treating orofacial pain and TMD should also understand dental management and be able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.

This course attracts participants with a broad range of experience and skills, so it must cover foundational topics. However, it is not intended to address every aspect of TMD management.

With the rapid growth of e-Learning and eBooks, physical therapists can easily expand their knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, neurophysiology and pathology. Still, the in-person course is the most effective way to grasp clinical reasoning concepts and master “hands-on” skills. This course will provide participants with the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform practical, precise TMJ evaluation and treatment. Participants will learn original TMJ MWM techniques developed by the presenter to treat: 

• Acute malocclusion
• Retrodiscal pain
• Loss of mobility due to internal derangement, degenerative change, intra-articular adhesions
• Restoration of function following orofacial surgery
• Altered neuromotor activity.

MWM clinical reasoning, examination procedures, and treatment techniques are central to this course, as they address specific gaps in current TMD management. Many aspects of TMD outside the scope of this programme will be covered in case study presentations and question-and-answer sessions. The role of MWM clinical reasoning within a comprehensive biopsychosocial management plan will also be discussed. Additionally, the course includes several upper cervical spine examination and treatment techniques, as they highlight a crucial and often overlooked contributor to persistent TMD.

On completion of this course, participants should:

• Have a working understanding of the applied anatomy of the orofacial bony, ligamentous, fascial, muscular, and    neurophysiological systems as they relate to TMD
• Have an appreciation of relevant neuroscience and pain neuroscience as they relate to the TMJ and orofacial region
• Understand the aetiology of TMJ disorders
• Have a deeper understanding of the Mulligan Concept’s clinical reasoning process
• Be able to confidently perform a basic evaluation of the TMJ and related orofacial musculature
• Be able to perform TMJ MWW and effectively train patients to perform self–MWM techniques
• Be aware of other forms of treatment for orofacial pain and dysfunction within a biopsychosocial context.
• Be aware of the current literature related to physical examination and treatment of the TMJ (up-to-date reference list provided).