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As requested by several participants, I am forwording details on what is
called a " 6 X 6 " program which I obtained from a Physiotherapist in
Ottawa. It works on problems involving the TEMPORANeIBULAR JOINT and
related muscles in the jaw annd neck. In keeping with the name of  the
program, there are the following six exercises which should be done 6
times each, 6 times each day :-

1. To restore the proper rest position for your tongue and thus, the
proper rest position for your TMJ'S.
-put the front 1/3 of your tongue against the roof of your mouth just
behind your front teeth. Now make a "cluck" sound. Breathe through your
nose and use the lower sides of your chest to do your breathing .

2. To control propper movement ( rotation ) of yor TMJ's.
-put the front 1/3 of your tongue against the roof of your mouth..
Without losing this contact, open and close your mouth.This should
reduce and eventually eliminate any clicking in your TMJ's.

3. To strengthen muscles around TMJ's.
-put the front 1/3 of your tongue firmly against the roof  of your mouth
just behind your teeth. With your fingers at your chin, apply slow
pressure to try to open, then close, and then push to each side- but
allow NO MOVEMENT. Maintain a constant jaw position..

4. To help correct the head to neck positiion by loosening tight
structures in this area.
-clasp both hands behind your neck, just below your head and hold
firmly. Now bend your head forward as far as you can, hold for a few
seconds, and relax.

5. To improve head to neck and neck posture.
-sit or stand straight. Combine a chin-in motion, a lifting of the upper
chest, and a lengthening of your neck-stretch tall!

6. To improve upper back position and decrease muscle tension in this
area and thus improve the balance of the neck to body positiion.
-sit or stand straight. Now pull your shoulder blades together and
without releasing this tension, try to pull them down- hold several
seconds and relax.

Ken Clements          Ottawa CANADA    , [log in to unmask]