Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a collective term embracing a number of clinical problems that involving the masticatory musculature, the TMJ and associated structures, or both. Both headache and TMD are highly prevalent in the general population. These conditions can be disabling and might represent a real contemporary health problem. Although the published estimates of the prevalence of headache and TMD vary widely, some authors have proposed that headache and TMD may related. Among the TMD, myofascial pain has been reported the most common disorder that related to headache. In the previous studies, the central sensitization following continuous nociceptive input of myofascial pain may play a important role in the pathogenesis of migraine and the mechanisms probably involves activation of N-Methyl-DAspartate (NMDA) receptors and production of Nitric Oxide (NO). Therefore the therapy for myofascial pain enhancing central inhibition through pharmacological management or behavioral interventions and simultaneously reducing peripheral inputs through physical therapies, orthopedic appliances and trigger point injections, can be considered as an effective treatment.