Biomechanical Relationship of the Cranial, Cervical, and Hyoid Regions

Abstract

The relationship between the cranial, cervical, and hyoid regions can be modified by removable orthopedic appliances installed by the dentist and by manual orthopedic techniques applied to the cervical spine by the physical therapist. However, each of these disciplines evaluates and treats according to the patient's symptoms and various objective criteria that are primarily limited to that field.

The author suggests that these two approaches to normalizing those relationships must be coordinated. He presents an objective method of evaluating x-rays to determine the impact of both disciplines, and suggests that this can help determine the normal biomechanical relationship of these structures.

He also discusses the importance of the following points as they relate to this method:

1.	The position of the hyoid bone in determining the appropriate curvature of the cervical spine.
2.	The distance between the occiput and the atlas and its relevance to the headache syndrome.
3.	The angular relationship of the cranium and the cervical spine.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mariano Rocabado

Mariano Rocabado, R.P.T.

Mariano Rocabado, who has been in clinical practice for fifteen years, is now Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Dental School at the University of Chile. He is also Director of the Rocabado Institute as well as Director of the Centro de Rehabilitacion Integral.

Soon after receiving his degree from the Physical Therapy School at the University of Chile at Santiago (1966), Mr. Rocabado studied for six months in France on a scholarship for specialization on the spine. From 1970 to 1973 he was a member of the Executive Committee of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, and he is now also an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders. Mr. Rocabado has lectured in Argentina, Colombia, Perú, Ecuador. Panama. Honduras, Costa Rica, Canada. Norway, and the U.S. He resides in Santiago, Chile.