This presentation will provide an overview of the physical therapists and other health professionals’ role in understanding, evaluating and treating patients who suffer from TMD, facial pain, headaches and cervical pain. We will briefly discuss trigeminocervical convergence, normal and abnormal pathomechanics of the TM joints, the importance of a multidisciplinary team in treating these complex patients.

Objectives:

1. Normal and abnormal TMJ Mechanics
2. Why TMJ patients can have neck pain, and how neck pain patients can have face and head pain
3. Brief evaluation and treatment approach to TMD
4. Importance of a multidisciplinary team

Michael Karegeannes, PT, MHSc, LAT, MTC, CFC, CCTT, CMTPT, is the owner of Freedom Physical Therapy Services,  4 clinics in WI, since 1997 and a practicing physical therapist since 1989. His specialties in the field of physical therapy include: TMD, spine and pelvic dysfunctions, myofascial pain, and orthopedic therapies. Michael graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. After he graduated, he received his athletic training license from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and later, Michael completed his manual therapy certification and Masters of Health Science from the University of St. Augustine in Florida.

In 2005, Michael had the honor of being trained by Dr. Mariano Rocabado (in conjunction with the University of St. Augustine), who is the leading national expert in the field of craniofacial therapies. Michael holds a Craniofacial Certification with the University of St. Augustine.

In addition, Michael has attended an orofacial pain and TMD residency with the University of Minnesota Dental School and the University of Kentucky Dental School. He is a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP), a board member with the Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial and Cervical Therapeutics (PTBCCT) and is one of the few physical therapists in the United States recognized as a certified cervical and temporomandibular therapist with the AAOP.

In 2011, Michael received thorough and extensive training in the technique of intramuscular dry needling and is certified through Myopain Seminars, the premier post-graduate medical and physical therapy continuing education company in the United States with a focus on myofascial trigger points. Michael is also one of the few PTs in the USA trained in the CRAFTA approach to TMD.

His diverse experience, knowledge, and manual skills allow Michael to be highly effective in the evaluation and treatment of his clientele.

Michael is a member of the APTA, WPTA, NATA, AAOP, PTBCCT, AES, PAMA and IMS.

1 CE credit available to AAPMD members