J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Sep; 26(7): 421-5.

Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument: A prospective case series.

Devocht JW, Long CR, Zeitler DL, Schaeffer W.

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: Eight 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 of 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.