TUG-OF-WAR

Myofunktional Exercise  Collect ion

Application:

to enlarge click picture

Strengthening of the perioral musculature (Anatomy: Area I, 1 to 13, Page 03ff).

Contents:

Manipulated play-exercise with equipment.

Materials:

Button on a drawstring.

Procedure:

- Previous exercises: Not specific.

-Starting position: ,L-M'-POSITION.

- Step-by-step-description:

-1 The button fixed at the string is, with the rounded side to the front, set into the Vestibulum, i.e., in front of the incisors and behind the lips; the loop hanging out between the lips.

-2 The therapist or an assisting person (also the patient himself) will pull slowly and with increasing strength at the loop until the button is popping out of the mouth.

-3 The actual tug-of-war is played against a partner who is equipped wit a button set as well.

Both loops are tied together and a competition tugging is carried out.

-4 A relative force measurement is gained (in kg) mounting an especially equipped spring balance to the loop and pulling at this device. A drag indicator is registering the maximum value of lip resistance against traction force.

-Timing: One action up to the popping-out is seen as one sequence. Up to ten sequences may be combined to one series.

Characteristics:

Motivation, Play-exercise, gross motor skills, Static, Stretching.

Remarks:

The procedure is not recommendable with lip injuries.

Discussion:

BUTTON (description): The button repeatedly cited in connection with the exercises is a fairly bigger button for dresses – for example for a coat – as frequently mentioned by GARLINER. It is made of plastic, is slightly concave and has a blunt margin and in the middle at least two holes for beading it.

It is 2mm thick and 2 cm in diameter. It is threaded on a string of 1mm thickness and well knotted to hold it safely and to prevent the button from being swallowed.  The loop is 30 cm long after being knotted up. If a thin synthetic thread is used the whole may be rinsed hygienically after use.

The values measured with this method are rather relative, the motivation by the play component being of prime importance.

Concerning the measured direction of the force see also comparing reflections in paragraph “Discussion” of chapter BALLOON:

Instructions:

We have worked out together how the lips can be trained wit the button on a thread.

The button is taken into the mouth with the convex side to the front between the teeth and the lips.

If you now pull repeatedly were pulling on the thread that the lips are just still able to hold the button they would become stronger by the time.

If you find some one to join the game he may as well stick a button behind his lips and now the tug-of-war may start.

He who lets the button pop out first is the unlucky one who lost and will have to practice a bit more.