HOLD A MATCH

Myofunktional Exercise  Collection

Application:

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This is an exercise with a multiplex application. It serves as habituation of the resting position i.e. the getting used to the stand-by position within the orofdacial and (partially) the stomatognathic system. Simultaneously it offers a sedating moment for hypertonia, hyperactivity and –kinesis of tongue, lips and mandibula (references into the anatomy can not be given here as the posture aimed-at includes at least a major  part of the discussed region).

Contents:

A playful and motivating hold-exercise implicating a heterostereognostic feed-back in self-manipulation through appliance; habituating exercise to be applied outside clinical sessions.

Materials:

Small spike or stick of about 1mm diameter and 5cm length made of wood or plastic like a toothpick .

Procedure:

- Previous exercises: The RESTING POSTION or ,L-M’-POSITION should have been trained.

-Starting position: RESTING POSTION or ,L-M’.

- Step-by-step-description:

-1 The patient holds the stick in sagittal direction in the middle of the lip slit in a manner that it sticks into the mouth hole about two centimetres.

-2 The aspect of a mouth slit closure exercise is gained by the lips now holding the stick with minimal force.

-3 Now additionally the incisors are watched not to touch the stick initializing an adductor relaxation.

-4 Finally a protrusion tendency of the tongue is met by the tongue tip avoiding to touch the stick.

The further aspect of the POINT hold exercise is given by the demand for the tongue tip to keep the POINT reaching over the tip of the stick. This, again, supports the palatal directed version of the residuary tongue body simultaneously avoiding the mandibula protrusion.

 (TONGUEBELLYTEST, CAT’S HUNCHED BACK)

-Timing: As a hold-exercise the calculation of the practicing time is not bound to series or sequences. The patient should hold a stick rather frequently over the day.

Characteristics:

Stato-dynamic, myobalance, stand-by posture, hanituation, motivation, self manipulation, feedback.

Remarks:

As this exercise is conceived in a broad mode the rehearsal should be carried out in a very precise and sophisticated way; for the at-home self training it should be conveyed to the patient to repeatedly check the accuracy of the carry-out.

Discussion:

The wooden sticklet (preferably 1mm in diameter and 5cm in length) is a magnificent aid for this exercise to get the multiple conditions for the RESTING POSITION  in the orofacial system under control by feedback sensor function; the exercise may be used as a habituating option for the ,L-M’-POSITION einsetzen. Its polyvalent character it differs from the PLATELET-HOLDER which is exclusively oriented towards an unforced lip closure. If, in the discussed exercise, the stick is held unforced, too, in the prescribed manner, this will give the exercise a sedating nature.

For the onlooker it generates an interesting aspect to see the projecting end nodding downwards as soon, as the tongue does no longer keep the POINT and starts sinking down (if it ever tries to hold the POINT).

In a certain way the exercise CONDUCTOR is a variation adding a kinetic moment.

The practicing with two sticks makes a further variation. They are respectively planted into the mouth corners and behind the upper canines. Additionally it we find it recommended in literature to set the molars upon each other (occlude). As the tongue is not allowed to touch the stick ends it makes the exercise a HOLD-EXERCISE for the tongue body

Instructions:

Practically it is very easy, indeed, to get all these things under control which go with the correct mouth closure.

All you need is a want  which gets everything under control – simply that small stick.

You may simply use a tooth prick.

Hold it with your lips in a way that it just protrudes out of your mouth.

It, as well, projects a thumb breadth into the mouth held only by your lips so that the teeth do not touch it.  Neither the tongue tip. It will have to reach across it to get to its POINT.

To make the spell really work you will have to hold the stick for really some time over the day.