Physiotherapy and science: a model in the approach of orofacial pain

Abstract

Introduction: Physiotherapy as a profession has been evolving supported by the growing knowledge from scientific trials. Orofacial pain represents a clinical condition, where the evolution of the knowledge regarding this condition, has substantially changed through the years with a direct impact in the clinical approach to this condition [1,2], namely the physiotherapy approach [3]. There have been several paradigm shifts grounded by the evidence from epidemiology, neurobiology, cognitive sciences and many other fields of knowledge [4–6]. Once orofacial pain disorders are highly prevalent and debilitating conditions, physiotherapy intervention should take into account the complexity of this condition in order to provide the best treatment focused on the individual needs and beliefs of the patient and informed by the best available evidence.