Expand Your HNC Rehab Toolkit
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 8/17/2023 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
Solutions for trismus, microstomia, xerostomia, dysphagia and more!
NEW PRODUCTS! Microstomia & OroFacial Scarring
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 6/13/2023 to
General Medical and Dental Information
NEW PRODUCTS! The OraFlex™ MPA for the prevention and treatment of microstomia & the OraPlace Tools for the prevention and treatment of orofacial scarring
THE ORAPLACE CONTRACTURE TOOL LAUNCH
Posted by Sarah Schuman on 5/15/2023 to
General Medical and Dental Information
We are proud to announce the launch of the OraPlace Contracture Tools. The OraPlace tools allow for preventative therapy to be applied shortly
after a burn in acute care, providing a safe way to maintain facial
motion as part of the healing process. The OraPlace tools also treat
existing burn contractures with multidimensional stretching to specific
areas as needed. They provide facial reanimation, low load prolonged
stretching (LLPS), and improved lip closure.
Fighting Trismus with a Better Fit! OraStretch Press Sizes
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 9/19/2022 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
The OraStretch press is available in 5 versions to better fit your patients' needs!
How to Measure MIO
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 11/11/2021 to
General Medical and Dental Information
Mouth opening is measured as a MIO or ROM distance. MIO (maximal interincisal
opening) is the distance between the central incisors when the mouth is fully open.
Average MIO for adults is approx. 50mm. By measuring MIO, a therapist can determine
if a patient is WNL or has trismus. ROM (Range-of-Motion) is the maximum distance
the mandible moves. ROM and MIO may be different, e.g. patients with an open bite.Trismus in HNC Patients - 2020 Update
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 11/18/2020 to
Dysphagia & Oral Motor Control
80-90% of patients with radiation to the pterygoid and/or masseter muscles will develop trismus. Learn how to diagnose and treat including therapy with the OraStretch press jaw motion rehab system.
Support Organizations for Head & Neck Cancer & Craniofacial Patients
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 9/9/2020 to
Cleft Lip & Palate
A review of a few of the wonderful nonprofit organizations within the HNC, dysphagia and craniofacial communities to support patients as they face these challenges.
LEARN & EARN!!! SLP CMH REMOTE IN-SERVICE: Oral Complications of Head & Neck Cancer Care -- Trismus, Xerostomia, Mucositis & Dysphagia
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 3/16/2020 to
Dysphagia & Oral Motor Control
Earn .1 CMH (1 hour) towards ASHA requirements with a remote live in-service. Speech pathologist, Sarah Schuman, is providing a free in-service on trismus, xerostomia, mucositis and dysphagia in HNC cancer patients. The in-service takes approximately 1-hour and you will have the ability to ask all of your HNC rehab questions!
Please contact us via email to [email protected] or call us at 1-800-206-8381 ext 86 for scheduling.
The Psychological Burden of HNC Survivorship on Patients and Caregivers
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 12/10/2019 to
Dysphagia & Oral Motor Control
|
New Research! When is it best to start trismus therapy?
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 10/10/2019 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
When is it best to start trismus therapy? Treatment for head and neck cancer may cause trismus, xerostomia and dysphagia negatively impacting a patient's quality of life (QOL). A new study, Effects of jaw exercise intervention timing on outcomes following oral and oralpharyngeal cancer surgery: Pilot study (, , , et al, 2019), looks at the optimal timing for exercise initiation post-operatively in HNC patients. Initial findings suggest early exercise intervention has a positive effect on some QOL measures!
Radiation Fibrosis - Development & Impact in HNC Patients
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 8/21/2019 to
General Medical and Dental Information
Radiation, commonly used in the treatment of head and neck cancer, may negatively affect healthy cells by increasing the production of the protein, fibrin which damages soft tissues in the treatment field potentially leading to trismus, or limited mouth opening. Trismus affects patients negatively by making it difficult to speak, eat, maintain good oral hygiene, receive dental procedures and it even has the potential to complicate intubation. In patients that receive radiation treatments, approximately 30% will develop trismus. If the treatment field includes the pterygoid or masseter muscles incidence rises to above 80%. Loss of maximal interincisal opening (MIO) is continual and progressive in these patients. Therapeutic exercises will need to continue for the rest of the patient's life! The good news is that trismus is preventable and treatable with exercise therapy using jaw motion rehab systems such as the OraStretch press.
New Research Reinforces Prevalence of Trismus in HNC Patients up to 10 Years Post Treatment
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 7/23/2019 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
New Research! Systematic review and meta-analysis reinforces the significant prevalence of trismus (equal to or less than 35 mm MIO) in HNC patients up to 10 years post treatment.
HPV Vaccine is Key in Fight Against Cancer
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 7/1/2019 to
General Medical and Dental Information
HPV Vaccine In The News!!!!
In June 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved the use of the HPV vaccine in some people through the age of 45. By expanding the pool of approved people, more insurance providers may cover the vaccine.
CranioRehab Update and Research Refresh
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 6/17/2019 to
Cleft Lip & Palate
CranioRehab Update & Research Refresh. Review "Correlation Between Radiation Dose to Pterygoid and Masseter Muscles with Trismus" and "Successful Rehab of Facial Burns Using Jaw Motion Rehab Systems Including the OraStretch Press". Learn about CranioRehab products.
Actress Aims to Destigmatize HPV- Related Cancers
Posted by Sarah Schuman, M.S. CCC-SLP on 6/11/2019 to
General Medical and Dental Information
In an effort to end the shame surrounding cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), actress Marcia Cross shares her personal story with anal cancer as well as her husband's with throat cancer.
New Research Correlates Radiation Dose to the Masseter and Pterygoid Muscles with the Development of Trismus (Article Review)
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 5/21/2019 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
Reconfirmed!! New research reinforces the correlation between radiation dose to the masseter and pterygoid muscles with the development of trismus.
The study “Radiation dose to the masseter and medial pterygoid muscle in relation to trismus after chemoradiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer” stresses the impact of radiation dose on the ipsilateral masseter muscle and the ipsilateral medial pterygoid muscle in head and neck cancer patients. A meaningful analysis of data was conducted across 83 patients treated for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. These patients participated in a preventive exercise program for mouth opening and MIO measurements were compared. The study concluded that radiation dose on the ipsilateral masseter muscle and ipsilateral medial pterygoid muscle is predictive for trismus.
Successful Orofacial Rehabilitation of Facial Burns with the OraStretch Press and Therabite Device (Article Review)
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 4/8/2019 to
Jaw Function, Trismus, and Jaw Therapies
The study “Full thickness facial burns: Outcomes following orofacial rehabilitation” (2015) examines the impact of orofacial rehabilitation on full thickness orofacial burn, specifically looking at mouth opening range vertically and horizontally. Results indicated that rehabilitation, including use of the OraStretch press or TheraBite device, had a positive effect on patients' opening range.
Swallowing Difficulties and the Holidays
Posted by Sarah Schuman on 12/14/2018 to
Dysphagia & Oral Motor Control
Difficulty swallowing, dysphagia, may cause the sufferer to feel embarrassment eating and drinking around friends and family. This may lead to lack of participation during holiday celebrations. With some adjustments it is possible to make celebrations inclusive and enjoyable for all. We, at CMR, wish you and yours a very happy holiday season.
Trismus in Head & Neck Cancer
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 5/25/2018 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
Trismus, or restriction to mouth opening, has many implications including difficulty speaking, eating, maintaining oral hygiene, receiving dental procedures and may even affect intubation. Typical measure of mouth opening is 50 mm and highly correlated to body size. An opening of 35mm or less is considered trismus. Trismus is preventable and treatable by engaging in exercise therapy and treatment using jaw motion rehab systems such as the OraStretch® press.
Article Review on Trismus incidence and impact on quality of life in head and neck cancer patients (2013)
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 2/5/2018 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
This study assesses the negative impact of trismus (restricted mouth opening) on head and neck cancer patients daily life activities. 6-12 months post-treatment trismus was found to impact quality of life with decreased mouth opening, jaw related problems, eating limitations, muscular tension, dry mouth, swallowing and pain as well as anxiety and depression both pre- and post-treatment.
Article Review on Exercise intervention for trismus in head and neck cancer (2016)
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 1/29/2018 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
Investigation into long term effects of exercise intervention utilizing jaw mobilizing device on trismus in HNC patients. Concluded that jaw mobilizing devices produce positive outcomes that persist over time.
New Research - Impact of Exercise with TheraBite device on trismus and health-related quality of life (2017)
Posted by Sarah Schuman, MS, CCC-SLP on 1/17/2018 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
The TheraBite's positive effects on maximum interincisal opening and health-related quality of life factors.
Trismus Prevention and Treatment for Head & Neck for Cancer and Radiation Patients - Presentation at ASHA 2016
Posted by Rob Christensen on 11/21/2016 to
Head & Neck Cancer, Radiation Therapy
At the 2016 national ASHA convention, we presented on "Trismus Prevention and Treatment for Head & Neck for Cancer and Radiation Patients." Here we provide a copy of the slides for the presentaion and the handout from the session.
Webinar on Trismus and Xerostomia for the Head & Neck Cancer Patient
Posted by Rob Christensen on 1/29/2015 to
Dysphagia & Oral Motor Control
We have posted our first user-controlled webinar presentation about Head and Neck Cancer Rehabilitation Webinar, including information on trismus, xerostomia, the OraStretch press and TheraBite system.
Learn about diagnosing trismus, when to order a jaw motion rehab system for prevention of trismus, how to order, treatment options for xerostomia and more.
Learn about diagnosing trismus, when to order a jaw motion rehab system for prevention of trismus, how to order, treatment options for xerostomia and more.
Tips for Great Oral and Dental Care for Patients with Disabilities
Posted by Rob Christensen on 6/10/2013 to
General Medical and Dental Information
Problems with dental care? Quest, the magazine for the MDA Foundation, had a great article by Bill Greenberg with tips and ideas on how to maintain good oral health in people with neuromuscular disease, muscular distrophy, trismus and other disabilities. Tips include special toothbrushes, finding a dentist, and treating trismus.