Temporomandibular
Dysfunction Course:

In-person dates:
March 29-30, 2025
New York, NY
Thrive Physical Therapy
594 Broadway, Suite
New York, NY 10012

Learn comprehensive treatment of painful mastication/speech, joint locking, facial/ear pain, clenching and bruxism.

10 hrs on-line + 14 hours in-person
= 24 clock hours
(on-line content opens 2 weeks prior to in-person course. Content accessible for 6 months)

  •  On-line Discussion 

    With other learners
    and instructor

  • CEU course 

    See specifics for each course

  • 24 hours Total

    Course duration

  • Current evidence

    Key research papers

    Temporomandibular
    Dysfunction: How specialist physical therapy can help patients that suffer from TMD.

    Clinical evidence shows that physical therapy is effective for many types of TMD. This online and in-person course can help you become an expert in the clinical treatment of different forms of TMD and related regions of the Orofacial/Craniocervical region. 

    Courses qualify towards required specialty CEUs for application to sit for the CCTT certification exam.

    Attract an expanded referral base of dental professionals, ENTs, maxillo-facial surgeons and other facial pain specialists.

    Course Syllabus

    The Temporomandibular Dysfunction Course is an intensive, in-person course that is blended with online didactic education for a comprehensive 24 contact-hour learning experience.

    Blended Course Format:
    • In-person instruction (14 hours): Demonstrations and guided hands-on practice of examination and treatment techniques. Case discussion.

    • On-line Learning (10 hours): Foundational knowledge to prepare participants for the in-person segment. Video lectures, select key articles to read and short quizzes to assess and consolidate learning. Online discussion community to communicate with the instructor and fellow students. On-line access to these resources continues for 6 months after the initial access date. 
    Purpose:
    This course is designed to minimize lecture time during in-person sessions, allowing for an engaging, skill-oriented learning environment. The goal is to:

    1. Deliver high-quality, in-depth, evidence-informed education on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
    2. Equip participants with practical skills for immediate application in their clinical practice.
    3. Refine and enhance existing skills or introduce a new specialty area to a participant's professional scope.
    Learning Objectives:

    • Identify and differentiate Axis I and Axis II categories, including arthralgic, myalgic, neuralgic, and discogenic TMD impairments, and understand associated pain mechanisms such as acute nociceptive sources and trigeminal sensitization.
    • Recognize conditions mimicking TMD, perform red flag screenings, and identify co-morbidities affecting orofacial and cranio-cervical health.
    • Gain in-depth knowledge of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, and perform precision palpation for diagnostic accuracy.
    • Understand dental terminology and collaborate effectively with medical and dental professionals to optimize patient care.
    • Conduct craniometric, postural, and joint-specific assessments; evaluate and interpret TMJ joint sounds; and assess stability, mobility, and motor control in the craniomandibular region.
    • Implement manual therapy techniques for joint, muscle, nerve, and fascia; and design interventions to address TMJ dysfunctions, including stability and motor control training.
    • Integrate knowledge of TMD phenotypes, biomechanics, and patient-specific findings to develop tailored, evidence-based treatment plans.
    In-Person Lab Schedule:

    Saturday

    7:30-8:00 Registration

    8:00-9:00 Introduction, Precision palpation 

    9:00-10:00 Craniometrics, Measuring mandibular mobility and Joint sounds

    10:00-10:15 Break

    10:15-11:15 Screening for safety (IFOMPT guidelines) Assessing linear joint glides assessing joint stability, 

    11:15-12:15 Assessing occlusion and mandibular type, Screening for ankyloglossia (tongue tie), tinnitus/aural pain, mastication and swallowing.

    12:15-1:15 Lunch (on own)

    1:15-2:15 Assessing Joint sounds and articular disc dysfunctions, Extra-oral and intra-oral joint mobilization and disc recapture. 

    2:15-3:15 Examination and treatment of muscle dysfunction associated with TMD.

    3:15-3:30 Break

    3:30-4:30 Examination and treatment of nerve and fascia associated with TMD.

    4:30-5:00 TMD cases and integration of didactic materials.

    Sunday

    8:00-9:00 Focus on the Temporal, Maxilla and Palatine bones.

    9:00-10:00 Posture and exercise: looking at the whole patient: focus on slow twitch muscles, proprioception and motor control.

    10:00-10:15 Break

    10:15-11:15 Habit Reversal and other techniques for bruxism (clenching and grinding).

    11:15-12:15 Surgical procedures and post-surgical rehabilitation.

    12:15-1:15 Lunch (on own)

    1:15-2:15 Patient Education for ADLs, prognosis and ongoing self-management.

    2:15-3:15 Case review and analysis.

    3:15-3:45 Influence of other regions/dysfunctions: cranium, headaches, WAD, cranial and cervical nerves, craniovertebral region, anterior neck, airway/tongue, swallowing and scapulae.

    Dr. Liz Henry

    PT, DSc, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, CCTT
    Patrick Jones - Course author