Orofacial physiotherapy
What is orofacial physiotherapy?
Orofacial physiotherapy is a specialization within physiotherapy. The orofacial physiotherapist is a specialist who helps you with health problems related to the malfunctioning of muscles and joints in the head, neck and chewing system. This physiotherapist is also sometimes referred to as a jaw physiotherapist. There is often close collaboration with the general practitioner, dentist, orthodontist, dental surgeon, dentist gynecologist, ENT specialist or another medical specialist.
The orofacial physiotherapist is extensively trained in dental aspects, specific nerve disorders, cancer in the head and neck and specific disorders related to the neck.
The orofacial physiotherapist is therefore the expert par excellence who can advise and guide you in pain and functional problems in the head, face and neck region.
When to an orofacial physiotherapist?
With reference
Depending on your complaints, you are referred to the orofacial physiotherapist via your general practitioner, dentist, orthodontist, dental surgeon, dentist gynecologist, ENT specialist or another medical specialist.
Without reference
You can also go directly to an orophary physiotherapist without a referral letter. In this case, a screening takes place first: the therapist assesses whether physiotherapy is an effective form of treatment for you.
You can contact the orofacial physiotherapist with the following complaints:
- Jaw problems
- Clamps of the jaw and teeth grinding
- Pain in the face, jaw or head
- Facial paralysis
- Headache symptoms
- Consequences of accidents and fractures, cancer, rheumatism and other syndromes with complaints in the head and neck area
- Complaints in the head and neck area that have to do with stress factors
The Royal Dutch Society for Physiotherapy (KNGF) wants to continue to stimulate the quality of physiotherapy. That is why the KNGF has created the Central Quality Register for Physiotherapy.
The orofacial physiotherapist is registered in the orofacial physiotherapy register and is affiliated to the NVOF.
We use general physiotherapeutic techniques such as massage and exercises during treatment. In addition, manual therapy, psychosomatic therapy and respiratory therapy are an important step in our treatment.
