Skip to content

For osteopathy and chiropractic

When corrections do not hold

For the proximity of jaw and cervical spine there is an anatomical finding, not a story. For the coupling with pelvic and foot statics there is not. We draw this distinction cleanly here, because otherwise nobody does.

You know these patients

Findings that quickly reorganise after correction. Recurrent cervical and upper thoracic dysfunctions. And regularly, jaw signs that nobody has recorded.

The connection

What has been measured

  1. 01Measured / described

    The anatomical finding

    The trigeminal nucleus caudalis converges functionally with the dorsal horns of C1–C3. This is the basis of referred pain between neck, face and head – the reason why your cervical work reaches the jaw and vice versa.

  2. 02Measured / described

    The measured connection

    TMD is associated with reduced pressure pain thresholds and restricted cervical mobility (moderate evidence). An imbalance in masticatory muscle activity is associated with cervical myofascial pain.

  3. 03Measured / described

    And the sentence that defines our relationship

    Manual therapy and splints often have comparable effects on pain and function; the combination is frequently worthwhile. So we do not take your place. We take on the part you cannot reach with your hands.

  4. 04Where the evidence ends

    Where the evidence ends

    For the coupling with spinal, pelvic and foot statics there is no reliable, predictable connection; effects are at most small and appear under challenging postural conditions. A prospective study with 3D body scanning found changes in the head and shoulders after three months of splint therapy – not in thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvis or knees. We therefore no longer present the image of the jaw as the “upper pacemaker of body statics”.

Indication

When a referral is worthwhile

First, and without exception: red flags and unclear findings belong in specialist work-up, before any functional diagnostics. The CMD perspective complements, it does not replace.

Worthwhile

  • Recurrent cervical dysfunctions with bite or jaw abnormalities
  • TMJ sounds, bruxism, tender masticatory muscles
  • When the correction regularly relapses within days

Not worthwhile

  • Pelvic or foot statics as the sole question
  • Structural scoliosis with the expectation of influencing it via the bite

Your patient remains yours.

After the assessment or after regulation is complete, we always refer back to you. We only provide further treatment at your explicit written request.

Next steps

Three routes – your choice

  • 01

    I want to know more

    The full-text sources, our measurement protocols and the clinical explanatory model with its level of evidence disclosed.

    Request documents
  • 02

    I have a question about a case

    Call-back from the CMD specialist, not from reception.

    Ask a question
  • 03

    I would like to refer

    By phone, email or letter – whatever suits you. The findings report comes back to you.

    Referral

Other specialties

To the overview