EFEITOS IMEDIATOS DO ALONGAMENTO COM ENFOQUE NA CADEIA POSTERIOR NA AMPLITUDE DE MOVIMENTO DE ABERTURA DA BOCA EM INDIVÍDUOS COM DISFUNÇÃO TEMPOROMANDIBULAR.

Introduction: Changes in the suboccipital and hamstring muscles that make up the posterior muscle chain can interfere with head posture and biomechanics of the temporomandibular joint, contributing to the worsening of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Postural exercises that consider the concept of myofascial chains and promote stretching of the posterior chain improve symptoms of TMD. Objective: Evaluate the range of motion (ROM) of the mouth opening in TMD patients undergoing global postural exercise program (GPEP). Methods: This is a therapeutic controlled clinical trial in parallel with two arms open. Participated 29 volunteers, of both sexes, with a clinical diagnosis of TMD, according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Research for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). To assess the TMD mouth opening was used a caliper. Then the volunteers were divided into two groups: experimental (EG) and control (CG). The GPEP lasted three sessions being held once a week, three weeks. Results: The GPEP consisted of global stretching exercises with emphasis on the muscles of the posterior chain of the spine and lower limbs. There was an increase of mouth opening ROM on EG volunteers. Conclusion: The GPEP was effective in increasing mouth opening ROM volunteers with TMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]