Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy (physical therapy) is sometimes used as an adjuvant to other methods of treatment in TMD. There are many different approaches described, but exercises aiming to increase the range of mandibular movements are commonly involved. Jaw exercises aim to directly oppose the negative effects of disuse that may occur in TMD, due to pain discouraging people from moving their jaw. After initial instruction, people are able to perform a physical therapy regimen at home. The most simple method is by regular stretching within pain tolerance, using the thumb and a finger in a "scissor" maneuver. Gentle force is applied until pain of resistance is felt, and then the position is held for several seconds. Commercial devices have been developed to carry out this stretching exercise (e.g. the "Therabite" appliance). Over time, the amount of mouth opening possible without pain can be gradually increased. A baseline record of the distance at the start of physical therapy (e.g. the number of fingers that can be placed vertically between the upper and lower incisors), can chart any improvement over time.It has been suggested that massage therapy for TMD improves both the subjective and objective health status.
A generalized tonic–clonic seizure, or GTCS, previously known as a Grand mal seizure, is a type of generalized seizure that produces bilateral, convulsive tonic and then clonic muscle contractions. Tonic-clonic seizures are the seizure type most commonly associated with epilepsy and seizures in general and the most common seizure associated with metabolic imbalances. It is a misconception that they are the sole type of seizure, as they are the main seizure type in approximately 10% of those with epilepsy.These seizures typically initiate abruptly with either a focal or generalized onset, the former being known as focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure. The seizure itself includes tonic (sustained) and then clonic (repetitive short) contractions. In some seizures, the tonic phase may be preceded by brief, arrhythmic muscle jerks (myoclonus), by a clonic phase or by an absence seizure. After the GTCS, there is an extended postictal state where the person is unresponsive and commonly sleeping with loud snoring. There is usually pronounced confusion upon awakening. Causes
The vast majority of generalized tonic-clonic seizures have a focal origin they start as a smaller seizure that occurs solely on one side of the brain and is referred to as a focal (or partial) seizure. These unilateral seizure types (formerly known as simple partial seizure or a complex partial seizure and now referred to as focal aware seizure and focal impaired awareness seizure, respectively) can then spread to both hemispheres of the brain and cause a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.