Abstract
Objective: To determine if there was a basis for the treatment of temporomandibular disease (TMD) using the
chiropractic protocol developed by Activator Methods, International.
Setting: Private, solo practice of an Activator advanced proficiency rated chiropractor with 15 years experience.
Design: Prospective case series.
Participants: Nine adult volunteers with articular TMD recruited from the practice of the treating clinician.
Main Outcome Measures: Change from baseline to follow-up of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and maximum active mouth opening without pain.
Interventions: Full spine and TMJ adjusting in accordance with the advanced protocol of Activator Methods,
International. Participants were typically seen 3 times per week for 2 weeks and according to individual progress
thereafter for 6 more weeks.
Results: Bight participants completed outcome assessments. The median VAS decrease was 45 mm (range 21-71);
all experienced improvement. The median increase of mouth opening was 9 mm (range 1-15); all showed
improvement.
Conclusion: The results of this prospective case series indicated that the TMD symptoms oí these participants
improved following a course of treatment using the Activator Methods. International protocol. Consequently, further
investigation of this type of chiropractic treatment for patients with the articular type of TMD is warranted, (J
Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003;26:42l-5)
Key Indexing Terms: Temporomandibular Disorder: Temporomandibular Joint; Chiropractic Manipulation