DentaltownUK April 2017 - 56

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy in the
Treatment of Craniomandibular,
Craniofacial and
Craniocervical Disorders
with Krina
Panchal

Note: My preferred
terminology for
TMJD is in fact
"Craniomandibular,
Craniofacial,
Craniocervical
disorders". In the
following paragraphs
"TMJD" has been used
as this was the term
used in the studies
own texts.

My name is Krina Panchal and I am a
Biomedical Scientist, Physiotherapist
and a Nutritional Therapist treating
craniomandibular, craniofacial and
craniocervical disorders.
My career began in 2007 when I graduated from
Biomedical Science BSc (Hons). I realised that
spending time in a lab wasn't for me; I needed
more patient contact and having enjoyed my
experiences with physiotherapists I then went
on to study Physiotherapy graduating in 2010.
Since then I've never looked back.
Two years later I was introduced to
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) by my
husband who is a dentist. Physiotherapists in
the UK are not taught the TMJ so this was new
territory for me. Some evening reading became
fascination and encouraged me to travel to the
USA for advanced training. First stop Atlanta, to
train with the renowned physiotherapist Steve
Kraus and then onto Columbia University, New
York and worked within an MDT which included
a Neurologist, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon,
Psychologist, Dentist and a Physiotherapist.
I have since completed the Masters module
in Differential Diagnosis and Assessment of
the Temporomandibular Joint at the University
of Liverpool and continue to progress my
knowledge and skills with recent completion
of the Craniofacial Therapy Academy (CRAFTA)
courses based in Germany. In addition I am an
active committee member of the Association
of Chartered Physiotherapists treating
Temporomandibular Disorders (ACPTMD).
I currently work closely with Mr. Piet Haers OMFS
(President of the International Association of
Maxillofacial Surgeons in 2014-2015) as well as
several London-based dentists.

56

APRIL 2017 // dentaltownuk.com

What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists help people affected by
injury, illness or disability through
movement, exercise, manual therapy,
education and advice. They help people of all
ages maintain their health, helping patients
to manage pain and prevent disease primarily
but also alongside modes such as drugs or
surgery.

Evidence for Physiotherapy in the
Treatment of Craniomandibular,
Craniofacial and Craniocervical
Disorders
1) Ambrosina Michelotti graduated in
Dentistry in 1984. In 1991 she qualified in
Orthodontics and since she has been
teaching undergraduate and postgraduate
courses in Orthodontics and TMJD at the
University of Naples Federico II as well as
researching physiotherapy treatment for
TMJD. She has found through her studies
that physiotherapy should be the first port
of call for TMJD patients. [1,2,3]
2) Harry van Piekartz is a physiotherapist
based in Germany and has also completed
several research articles on the effects of
physiotherapy on TMJD. Harry has found
that manual therapy is effective on
craniomandibular,
craniofacial
and
craniocervical disorders. [4,5,6]
3) Dr Mariano Rocobado is a Doctor of
Physiotherapy from Chile who created the
6 x 6 x 6 TMJ exercise. He has also done
many research articles on the effects of
physiotherapy on TMJD where he believes
these patients can be treated through
http://www.krinapanchalphysio.com http://www.krinapanchalphysio.com http://www.krinapanchalphysio.com http://www.dentaltownuk.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DentaltownUK April 2017
