Correlation between orofacial muscles and backache/ neck-achesymptoms – A preliminary study.

In the stomatognathic system, mandible formsa unique joint that moves simultaneouslyon both sides, which makes it critical that the mandible maintains the balance without causing a stretch on any one side muscles. A rotated mandible leads to its associated muscles getting unilaterally overstretched or in a state of spasm. Certain muscles also get flattened because the yare not used because of the rotated mandible. Since the entire musculoskeletal system is inter-related and connected to each other, all the muscles of the body get adjusted to maintain a state of balance. Materials and methods: A study of 17 individuals having back or neck pain was conducted. They answered a questionnaire about their back/neck pain and their facial photograph was taken to analyze 3 muscles - zygomaticus major, mentalis, masseter, and the nasolabial-fold. The muscles were checked for hypo/hypertrophy, the nasolabial-fold for its orientation - closer to the horizontal/vertical plane. Results and analysis: 50% had normal Zygomaticus Major muscle, and 50% showed hypo/ hypertrophy. 50% had normal Masseter and 50% were hypertrophied. Mentalis muscle showed hypertrophy in 50% backache and 60% neck-ache cases. The right side Nasolabial fold was normal in 75% of backache cases and 80% of neck-ache cases. The left side showed a significant deviation with 80% of neck-ache cases having a horizontal nasolabial fold. None of them showed any statistical significance. Conclusion:The study didn't show significant association between the four parameters and backache and neck pain. Larger sample-sized studies with control groups will validate any type of association.Key Words : maxillo-mandibular relationship, skeletal balance, orofacial muscles, hypertrophy