Posted by Rob Christensen on 11/8/2010 to
Jaw Function, Trismus, and Jaw Therapies
The CRAC 5-5-30 is an aggressive stretching protocol for the jaw to help
overcome trismus with a TheraBite or OraStretch® press. It updates the
standard 5-5-30 or 7-7-7 protocol by incorporating a PNF CRAC
(Contract-Relax with Antagonist Contract) stretching session.
Caution: This is very aggressive. Do not be used right before activity like eating. Not recommended for children under-18. Confer with your doctor or therapist before using.
Do the 5-5-30, replacing one session with CRAC. The 5-5-30 is to do 5 stretching session each day. Do five stretches with your OraStretch® press each session. And hold each stretch for 30 seconds.
CRAC Session:
- Partially open the mouth with the device, and bite down against the mouthpieces for 20 secs.
- Open the mouth wide on own for 20 secs. Relax.
- Stretch with device for 20 secs.
- Relax for 60 secs. Repeat 2 more times.
When stretching, only open to feel a light stretch. 3-4 on a scale of 1 to 10. You should feel it, but it should not cause any sharp pain. Overstretching can lead to muscle spasms or tissue tears, further inhibiting rehab and function.
Caution: This is very aggressive. Do not be used right before activity like eating. Not recommended for children under-18. Confer with your doctor or therapist before using.
Do the 5-5-30, replacing one session with CRAC. The 5-5-30 is to do 5 stretching session each day. Do five stretches with your OraStretch® press each session. And hold each stretch for 30 seconds.
CRAC Session:
- Partially open the mouth with the device, and bite down against the mouthpieces for 20 secs.
- Open the mouth wide on own for 20 secs. Relax.
- Stretch with device for 20 secs.
- Relax for 60 secs. Repeat 2 more times.
When stretching, only open to feel a light stretch. 3-4 on a scale of 1 to 10. You should feel it, but it should not cause any sharp pain. Overstretching can lead to muscle spasms or tissue tears, further inhibiting rehab and function.