Resumo (EN)
Objective – To determine the immediate influence of high velocity and low aplitude (HVLA) technique applied to upper cervical spine in active mouth opening. Temporomandibular disorders are affections of the temporomandibular joint and periarticular structures, which one of signs is a depression ampleness reduction of the jaw. Methods – The study included 83 volunteers aged between 18 and 33 years and pain in the cervical spine, divided in two groups, the experimental subject to HVLA (n = 41) and placebo (n = 42). Each subject had the opening of the mouth measured three times before and after treatment by a blinded evaluator. Results – The group which HVLA was applied to the upper cervical spine promoted and immediate increase in mouth opening, since the ADM of depression at the time of the jaw after the intervention, as the difference before and after intervention, were higher in the experimental group compared to placebo group. Conclusion – The application of the HVLA on the upper cervical spine may promote an increase in mouth opening in subjects with symptomatic cervical spine region immediately after the intervention.