How long does it typically take to complete a TMD exam and what is the typical number of visits for seeing these patients?
Answer
I have worked in two TMD clinics which had a psychologist, physical therapist, and a dentist. I loved these practices because we were allowed to have a patient for 30 minutes. I did an assessment, and so did my colleagues. Then we all convened to discuss the plan for the patient. I typically can get a TMD exam done between 20 and 25 minutes. Patients like to tell about their symptoms so the exam may take up to 30 minutes. I am allowed to have an hour with my people on their first visit. I get the evaluation done, give them some home exercises, and possibly get another modality in. For typical amount of visits, I tell my patients that I typically would see them 4 to 10 times. Usually within 4 treatments, I expect to see a difference. The pain or discomfort may not be all gone, but there should be a difference in the problem. I provide manual therapy, a good sound home exercise program, get rid of the parafunction, see if they need to see a dentist, etc. I do not recommend a dental intervention if the patient is ok with the mouth guard right away. We may be able to accomplish a difference before seeing a dentist.
Lori Steinley, PT, MS
Lori Steinley, PT, MS is a 1988 graduate of the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical therapy. She is a 1994 graduate of St. Cloud State University with a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. Lori has spent the majority of her clinical practice in outpatient orthopedics with an emphasis on the neck, back, TMJ and headaches. She began working with patients with temporomandibular disorders in 1992 and has over 250 continuing education hours of instruction in assessment/treatment of the head/neck region. Lori is also a physician assistant, graduating from the University of North Dakota in Grade Forks, North Dakota, Magna Cum Laude, May 2014. She continues to maintain her physical therapy degree but is presently working as a physician assistant in Urology, primarily with pelvic pain patients.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/temporomandibular-joint-anatomy-physiology-1118-1071Temporomandibular Joint-Anatomy/PhysiologyThis course is designed to familiarize participants with the anatomy/physiology of the temporomandibular joint.auditory, textual, visual
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/temporomandibular-joint-physical-therapy-assessment-1072Temporomandibular Joint-Physical Therapy Assessment and TreatmentPlease note: This course is also offered in a series of recordings titled "The Temporomandibular Joint", course 1416. This course is designed to instruct participants in the physical therapy assessment and treatment of the temporomandibular joint-including discussion of modalities, manual techniques and home exercises.auditory, textual, visual
'Fantastic course! Great review of the anatomy and instructor had excellent experience with working with this joint- great desciptions, illustrations, discussion of evaluation and treatment options'Read Reviews
Please note: This course is also offered in a series of recordings titled "The Temporomandibular Joint", course 1416.
This course is designed to instruct participants in the physical therapy assessment and treatment of the temporomandibular joint-including discussion of modalities, manual techniques and home exercises.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/clinical-use-reformer-for-lower-3329Clinical Use of the Reformer for the Lower BodyThe reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the lower body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing lower extremity rehab from ankle injury, to post-op knees, to hip pain. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This course is part three of our four part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
The reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the lower body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing lower extremity rehab from ankle injury, to post-op knees, to hip pain. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This course is part three of our four part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/complex-and-chronic-impairment-in-4353Complex and Chronic Impairment in ConcussionThis webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/clinical-use-reformer-for-upper-3330Clinical Use of the Reformer for the Upper BodyA reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the upper body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing upper extremity rehab from scapular control to glenohumeral stability, to fully-integrated shoulder girdle training. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This is part four of our four-part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
'I like that she put her contact info for follow up questions and the explanation through video which helps visually display the shoulder complex compensations'Read Reviews
A reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the upper body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing upper extremity rehab from scapular control to glenohumeral stability, to fully-integrated shoulder girdle training. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This is part four of our four-part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
