It is important to make this patient aware of her contracted muscles so that she can change her cervical spine posture and relax her shoulders to take the pressure off the trapezius and levator scapulae.

The best technique for this is Somatic Technique developed by Joseph Hanna.

The patient needs to inhale and shrug their shoulders against your resistance for 7 seconds with their eyes closed. They then open their eyes, exhale and allow their shoulders to drop 1/3 of the way against less resistance. Repeat twice until their shoulders are completely relaxed downward. This technique will help the patient be aware of their muscle contractions and they can catch themselves to relax their muscles between visits. Over time, the muscles will relax, and the patient will become aware of their contraction.

Cervical and thoracic spine, and rib head manipulations were performed on this patient as well as TMJ correction and Craniopathy. Muscle spasms were released with ultrasound. Trigger point ultrasound was used for this patient’s trigger points in the associated muscles.

Over the next few weeks, this patient’s condition improved as she was not having the headaches as frequently and if she did have a headache, it was very mild and she did not have to take the medication for pain relief.

Question: What treatments would you perform for the TMJ and associated muscles?