Local Massage with Topical Analgesic, a Novel Treatment Modality for Temporomandibular Muscular Pain, a Case Study Report of 5 Consecutive Cases

INTRODUCTION Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) represent a group of painful conditions involving the muscles of mastication and the temporomandibular joint. Ping On Ointment has been used in the Chinese Orthopedics as a soothing massage balm for muscular aches, strain and sprain. If topical application of the ointment can be effective for the treatment of TMD muscular pain, it may be the long-sought-after method for safe, simple, cheap, non-invasive, and effective treatment modality of TMD muscular pain. PURPOSE This report documented a case study of the first five consecutive cases using this treatment modality. RESULTS All cases resulted in complete remission of pain within one month of topical massage. CONCLUSION This treatment method has high potential to benefit a significant number of people and randomized control trials should be performed.