What are the scientific studies that support stretching jaw muscles that are beneficial to jaw painMany studies are showing the benefits of stretching skeletal muscles, including the closing muscles of the jaw. Here are a few:
1. Bruxism: Is There an Indication for Muscle-Stretching ExercisesSimone Gouw, RPT, Anton de Wijer, PhD., Nico H.J. Creugers, DDS, PhD., Stanimira I. Kalaykova, DDS, Ph.D. Int J Prosthodont 2017;30:123–132. doi: 10.11607/ijp.5082
2. Efficacy of a Dynamic Jaw Opening Device Michael D. Stubblefield, MD, Laura Manfield, MD, Elyn R. Riedel, MA, Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010;91:1278-82.
3. Viscoelastic properties of muscle-tendon units. The biomechanical effects of stretching. Dean C. Taylor, MD, CPT, MC, USA, James D. Dalton, Jr, MD, Anthony V. Seaber, and William E. Garrett, Jr, MD, Ph.D. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol. 18, No. 3 1990
4. A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Tailored Comprehensive Care Treatment Program for Temporomandibular Disorders Dworkin et al., Journal of Orofacial Pain, Volume 16, Number 4, 2002
5. Mobilization regimens for preventing jaw hypomobility in the radiated patient: A comparison of three techniques. Daniel Buchbinder, DMD, Robert B. Currivan, DMD, Andrew J. Kaplan, DMD, Mark L. Urken, MD. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 51, Issue 8, August 1993, Pages 863-867
6. Treatment of myogenic temporomandibular disorder: a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing a mechanical stretching device with standard physical therapy exercise. Sophie Kraaijenga, Lisette van der Molen, Harm van Tinteren, Frans Hilgers, Ludi Smeele. Cranio 2014 Jul;32(3):208-16