JIG-EXERCISE

Myofunktional Exercise  Collect ion

Application:

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(The expression “Jig” actually means a wooden tongue spatula; it is borrowed from Marvin Hanson.) The exercise has its origin in the orthodontics where it is used as a first and pre-therapeutical measure when there are reasons to assume the eruption of the incisors –presumably in the deciduous dentition –might result in a prognathic occlusion, meaning the lower incisal edges getting in position in front of the upper teeth.

Furthermore the exercise will be helpful against a mandibular or tongue protrusive posture. (Anatomy: VII/2, 3, 4, Page 31).

Contents:

This is a vastly manipulating exercise which does not involve the musculature functionally. Stretching influence upon the collum, discus and mandibula protractors. Hold-exercise with a playful character.

Materials:

As a jig here a wooden or plastic spatula is meant, a tongue spatula or an icy lolly.  It is about 12 cm long, 1.5 cm broad and 1 mm thick.

Procedure:

- Previous exercises: Not obligatory. As this exercise is a first helping measure for the DRAWER-IN-EXERCISE for the mandibula, for the POINTPOSTURE of the tongue tip and consequently for the ,L-M'-POSITION and RESTPOSITION in the stomatognathic system it in itself represents a pre-exercise.

It is advisable to prepare the patient from the very start for the mentioned future aims.

-Starting position:  Not mandatory, though it might be suitable to habituate the patient with a coordinated body position as, for example, the SITTING-POSITION towards a balanced muscle feeling of the whole body.

- Step-by-step-description:

-1 The patient sits down in an upright position ( SITTING-POSITION) and takes the jig between his lips. The end of it is sticks into the cavum oris as to touch the POINT when

-2 the tongue tip presses against it from below. This will adjust (orientation) and guide the tongue tip palate wards and to the POINT.

If, now, the Mandibula is protruded the spatula will tip over the upper incisal edges and in such way press the tongue tip down. It will try to resist and, thus, reminds to keep the Mandibula in the retral position. The upper incisors are decisively aided and held against protrusion through the upper lip which has to strive to intercept the main weight of the pressure.

The lower lip is pressed against the lower front and, thus, is counteracting its tipping forward (see annotation in paragraph “Discussion”).

-Timing:  After a precise instructing about the duties of the lips, of the posture regarding the dental bows and of the tongue tip the carry-out of the application will sporadically be controlled.

The actual training takes place in the daily routine. The patient will have to wear the jig as often as possible. Furthermore schedules may be installed or clues given as “during homework”, “while looking TV”, “when playing”.

Characteristics:

Manipulation, statomotor, orientation, feedback, tone raising in the tongue-lifter and perioral musculature, muscle stretching in the Mandibula protractors. Motivation for self control.

Remarks:

As already mentioned the exercise should not be prescribed if the tooth position is already changed incongruously meaning dislodgements in the upper front forwardly respectively in the lower backwards or if an enlarged Overjet exists.

Discussion:

With a reversed tendency of the tooth position – upper front proclined or lower pone retraltilted – the exercise is valuable.

It is recommended with adductor hyperactivity and may be used as an (anti-) MOTILITY-EXERCISE

to restrict hyperkinesies of lips, jaw and tongue. With an asymmetrical tilt tendency in the blower front the jig will be positioned in a respective lateral position though not especially listed as a UNILATERAL EXERCISE.

Instructions:

What is a JIG? The popsicle of an ice-cream or something similar. What you should do with it? Now then, such a thing is very valuable against many bad habits of the mouth. That is why we have picked it out.

And that is how you use it: Hold it with your lips in a way that its one end sticks into your mouth and just touches the POINT. The tongue tip is softly pushing it against the POINT. The pole does hardly touch the teeth because the lips are holding it so tight, well, it of course tips against them slightly now and then. An always when you feel bored with your mouth take up the Jig between your lips so it can correct the mis-habits.

After all this has to work without the Jig later on, but we will talk about that.