Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Management of Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders: a Narrative Review

  • Published:
Current Oral Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture (AT) are widely used for treating acute and chronic pain conditions, including pain related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This review highlights the current knowledge about the use of AT and TCM in orofacial pain field, in particular for TMD-related pain management, exploring acupuncture potential benefits, its mechanisms of action on pain and the more suitable clinical application techniques and methods of point stimulation.

Recent Findings

The literature reviewed showed growing evidence supporting the use of AT and TCM-related techniques for the management of orofacial pain, especially associated with TMD. AT presents great potential for treating orofacial pain, especially for muscle pain and headache, and when applied on patients with systemic pain conditions. Different AT techniques and methods of point stimulation, including the traditional and the innovative ones, can be safely used as alternative or to support conventional treatments.

Summary

The use of AT for the management of pain in oro-craniofacial district may have great potential, especially for chronic condition and for pain of muscular origin. Despite the growing interest for TCM and AT as therapeutic tool in musculoskeletal pain conditions, in orofacial pain field the evidence is still few and fragmentary, and there are no specific protocols or clinical and therapeutic indications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References 

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Wang Y. The scientific nature of traditional Chinese medicine in the post-modern era. J Tradit Chin Med Sci. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcms.2019.09.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Tangkiatkumjai M, Boardman H, Walker DM. Potential factors that influence usage of complementary and alternative medicine worldwide: a systematic review. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):363.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Canizares M, Hogg-Johnson S, Gignac MAM, Glazier RH, Badley EM. Changes in the use practitioner-based complementary and alternative medicine over time in Canada: Cohort and period effects. PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0177307.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Peleg R, Liberman O, Press Y, Shvartzman P. Patients visiting the complementary medicine clinic for pain: a cross sectional study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;5(11):36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. • World Health Organization. WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014–2023. 2013. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/92455. This is a very important document presenting the WHO strategy and aims to support and implement action plans and research to strengthen the role of traditional medicine in keeping populations healthy. It refers to the current decade (2014–2023), and it is updated every 10 years since 2002.

  6. Serritella E. Medicina Cinese e Ricerca Scientifica. In: Deodato F, Pirozzi CR, Romano R, Papacchini F, Di Stanislao C, editors. Gnatologia e DCCM oltre segni e sintomi. Bologna: Martina Edizioni; 2023. p. 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Tseng YH, Chang FR. Bringing scientific methods to traditional medicine. J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118(12):1574–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Baethge C, Goldbeck-Wood S, Mertens S. SANRA-a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles. Res Integr Peer Rev. 2019;26(4):5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-019-0064-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. De Rossi SS. Orofacial pain : a primer. Dent Clin North Am. 2013;57(3):383–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E, Look J, Anderson G, Goulet JP, List T, Svensson P, Gonzalez Y, Lobbezoo F, Michelotti A, Brooks SL, Ceusters W, Drangsholt M, Ettlin D, Gaul C, Goldberg LJ, Haythornthwaite JA, Hollender L, Jensen R, John MT, De Laat A, de Leeuw R, Maixner W, van der Meulen M, Murray GM, Nixdorf DR, Palla S, Petersson A, Pionchon P, Smith B, Visscher CM, Zakrzewska J, Dworkin SF, International RDC/TMD Consortium Network International association for Dental Research; Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group, International Association for the Study of Pain. Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: recommendations of the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network* and Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group†. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014;28(1):6–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. D’Urso A, Serritella E, Tolevski Meshkova D, Falisi G, Di Paolo C. Headache and temporo mandibular disorders: epidemiological assessment. Minerva Stomatol. 2016;65(2):85–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Serritella E, Di Giacomo P, Vompi C, Falisi G, Di Paolo C. Longitudinal epidemiological analysis of three decades of TMD populations. Dent Cadmos. 2020;88(8):527–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Sessle BJ. Editorial: Comorbidities associated with orofacial pain and headache: a continuing emphasis. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2016;30(1):5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Fillingim RB, Ohrbach R, Greenspan JD, Knott C, Diatchenko L, Dubner R, Bair E, Baraian C, Mack N, Slade GD, Maixner W. Psychological factors associated with development of TMD: the OPPERA prospective cohort study. J Pain. 2013;14(12 Suppl):T75-90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Di Giacomo P, Serritella E, Imondi F, Di Paolo C. Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on TMD subjects. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021;25(13):4616–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Wieckiewicz M, Boening K, Wiland P, Shiau YY, Paradowska-Stolarz A. Reported concepts for the treatment modalities and pain management of temporomandibular disorders. J Headache Pain. 2015;16:106.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Tolevski Meshkova D, Di Giacomo P, Panti F, D’Urso A, Serritella E, Di Paolo C. Application of a systematic protocol in the treatment of TMDs with occlusal appliances: effectiveness and efficiency in a longitudinal retrospective study with medium-term follow-up. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2019;9(4):372–82.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Badel T, Zadravec D, Bašić Kes V, Smoljan M, Kocijan Lovko S, Zavoreo I, Krapac L, Anić MS. Orofacial pain - diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Acta Clin Croat. 2019;58(Suppl 1):82–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Christidis N, Lindström Ndanshau E, Sandberg A, Tsilingaridis G. Prevalence and treatment strategies regarding temporomandibular disorders in children and adolescents-A systematic review. J Oral Rehabil. 2019;46(3):291–301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Andre A, Kang J, Dym H. Pharmacologic treatment for temporomandibular and temporomandibular joint disorders. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2022;34(1):49–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhang C, Wu JY, Deng DL, He BY, Tao Y, Niu YM, Deng MH. Efficacy of splint therapy for the management of temporomandibular disorders: a meta-analysis. Oncotarget. 2016;7(51):84043–53.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Kuzmanovic Pficer J, Dodic S, Lazic V, Trajkovic G, Milic N, Milicic B. Occlusal stabilization splint for patients with temporomandibular disorders: Meta-analysis of short- and long-term effects. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(2):e0171296.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. •• Wu JY, Zhang C, Xu YP, Yu YY, Peng L, Leng WD, Niu YM, Deng MH. Acupuncture therapy in the management of the clinical outcomes for temporomandibular disorders: a PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(9):e6064. This comprehensive literature review evaluated the effects of conventional acupuncture therapy in the management of clinical outcomes for TMD in adults.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Law D, McDonough S, Bleakley C, Baxter GD, Tumilty S. Laser acupuncture for treating musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2015;8(1):2–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Serritella E, Scialanca G, Di Giacomo P, Di Paolo C. Local vibratory stimulation for temporomandibular disorder myofascial pain treatment: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled preliminary study. Pain Res Manag. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6705307.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Lv W. Understanding traditional Chinese medicine. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr. 2021;10(6):846–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Pérard M, Mittring N, Schweiger D, Kummer C, Witt CM. MERGING conventional and complementary medicine in a clinic department - a theoretical model and practical recommendations. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:172.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Zheng LW, Hua H, Cheung LK. Traditional Chinese medicine and oral diseases: today and tomorrow. Oral Dis. 2011;17(1):7–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Ti Huang, Testo Classico di Medicina Interna dell’Imperatore Giallo. Huang Ti Nei Ching Su Wen, Ilza Veith (a cura di). Roma: Edizioni Mediterranee; 2006.

  30. Santangelo P. Storia del pensiero cinese. Roma: Newton Compton; 1995.

  31. Murakami M, Wei MX, Ding W, Zhang QD. Effects of Chinese herbs on salivary fluid secretion by isolated and perfused rat submandibular glands. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(31):3908–15.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Ritenbaugh C, Hammerschlag R, Calabrese C, Mist S, Aickin M, et al. A Pilot Whole systems clinical trial of traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. J Altern Complement Med. 2008;14(5):475–87.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Shin BC, Ha CH, Song YS, Lee MS. Effectiveness of combining manual therapy and acupuncture on temporomandibular joint dysfunction: a retrospective study. Am J Chin Med. 2007;35(2):203–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Gong X-F. Clinical observation of tuina plus heat-sensitive moxibustion for temporomandibular disorders. J Acupunct Tuina Sci. 2016;14(5):361–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Gupta D, Dalai DR, Swapnadeep MP, Indra BN, Rastogi S, Jain A, Chaturvedi M, Sharma S, Singh S, Gill S, Singh N, Gupta RK. Acupuncture ( zhēn jiǔ) - an emerging adjunct in routine oral care. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(4):218–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Rosted P. Introduction to acupuncture in dentistry. Br Dent J. 2000;189(3):136–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Muñoz-Ortego J, Solans-Domènech M, Carrion C, enrepresentación del ABE Working Group. Indicaciones médicas de la acupuntura: revisión sistemática [Medical indications for acupuncture: Systematic review]. Med Clin (Barc). 2016;147(6):250–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Yap SH. Acupuncture in pain management. Anaesth Intensive Care Med. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpaic.2016.06.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Yuan QL, Wang P, Liu L, Sun F, Cai YS, Wu WT, Ye ML, Ma JT, Xu BB, Zhang YG. Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: a meta-analysis and meta-regression of sham-controlled randomized clinical trials. Sci Rep. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0415-6412(16)30119-9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Grillo CM, et al. Could Acupuncture Be Useful in the treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction? J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2015;8(4):192–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Huang YF, Lin JC, Yang HW, Lee YH, Yu CH. Clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder. J Formos Med Assoc. 2014;113(8):535–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. •• Serritella E, Galluccio G, Impellizzeri A, Di Giacomo P, Di Paolo C. Comparison of the effectiveness of three different acupuncture methods for TMD-related pain: a randomized clinical study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1286570. An important randomized clinical trial that reported and compared for the first time the effects of different methods of acupoint stimulation on TMD pain and on pain-related aspects affecting patients’ quality of life.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et al. The status and future of acupuncture mechanism research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008;14:861e9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Ning Z, Lao L. Acupuncture for pain management in evidence-based medicine. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2015;8(5):270–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Cai RL, Shen GM, Wang H, Guan YY. Brain functional connectivity network studies of acupuncture: a systematic review on resting-state fMRI. J Integr Med. 2018;16(1):26–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Dhond RP, Kuttner N, Napadow V. Neuroimaging acupuncture effects in human brain. J Altern Complement Med. 2007;13:603e16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Takano T, Chen X, Luo F, et al. Traditional acupuncture triggers a local increase in adenosine in human subjects. J Pain. 2012;13:1215–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. McDonald JL, Smith PK, Smith CA, Changli Xue C, Golianu B, Cripps AW. Effect of acupuncture on house dust mite specific IgE, substance P, and symptoms in persistent allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2016.04.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Shi H, Li JH, Ji CF, Shang HY, Qiu EC, Wang JJ, et al. Effect of electroacupuncture on cortical spreading depression and plasma CGRP and substance P contents in migraine rats. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2010;35(1):17–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. •• Zhang R, Lao L, Ren K, Berman BM. Mechanisms of acupuncture-electroacupuncture on persistent pain. Anesthesiology. 2014;120:482–503. This review has addressed the current knowledge on central and peripheral mechanisms of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on persistent pain.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Ritenbaugh C., Catherine Bushnell M. Advances in the use of complementary and alternative medicine in the management of orofacial pain. Orofacial Pain; 2015.

  52. Bu LX, Chen T, Chen X, Jing H, Li NY. Clinical observation of acupuncture and massage therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders. Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue. 2011;20(3):292–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Jung A, Shin BC, Lee MS, Sim H, Ernst E. Acupuncture for treating temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, sham-controlled trials. J Dent. 2011;39(5):341–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Ferrario VF, Sforza C, Miani A, D’Addona A, Tartaglia G. Statistical evaluation of some mandibular reference positions in normal young people. Int J Prosthodont. 1992;5(2):158–65.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Fernandes A, Moura D, Da Silva L, De Almeida E, Barbosa G. Acupuncture in Temporomandibular disorder myofascial pain treatment: a systematic review. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2017;31(3):225–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Smith P, Mosscrop D, Davies S, Sloan P, Al-Ani Z. The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular joint myofascial pain: a randomised controlled trial. J Dent. 2007;35(3):259–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Johansson A, Wenneberg B, Wagersten C, Haraldson T. Acupuncture in treatment of facial muscular pain. Acta Odontol Scand. 1991;49(3):153–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. • Serritella E, Galluccio G, Paolo CD. Abdominal acupuncture for non-responding TMD patients: a retrospective observational study in general practice. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2023; https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.2.56. This study reported the use of abdominal acupuncture on a population of TMD patients for the fist time.

  59. La Touche R, Angulo-Díaz-Parreño S, de-la Hoz JL, Fernández-Carnero J, Ge HY, Linares MT, Mesa J, Sánchez-Gutiérrez J. Effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders of muscular origin: a systematic review of the last decade. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(1):107–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Katsoulis J, Ausfeld-Hafter B, Windecker-Gétaz I, Katsoulis K, Blagojevic N, Mericske-Stern R. Laser acupuncture for myofascial pain of the masticatory muscles. A controlled pilot study. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed. 2010;120(3):213–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Peixoto KO, da Silva BA, Melo RA, de Resende CMBM, de Almeida EO, Barbosa GAS. Short-term effect of scalp acupuncture on pain, sleep disorders, and quality of life in patients with temporomandibular disorders: a randomized clinical trial. Pain Med. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnab048.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Simma I, Simma L, Fleckenstein J. Muscular diagnostics and the feasibility of microsystem acupuncture as a potential adjunct in the treatment of painful temporomandibular disorders: results of a retrospective cohort study. Acupunct Med. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2017-011492.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Zotelli VL, Grillo CM, Gil ML, Wada RS, Sato JE, da Luz Rosário de Sousa M. Acupuncture effect on pain, mouth opening limitation and on the energy meridians in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2017; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2017.08.005.

  64. Vachiramon A, Wang WC. Acupuncture and acupressure techniques for reducing orthodontic post-adjustment pain. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2005;6(1):163–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Boleta-Ceranto Dde C, de Souza RS, Silverio-Lopes S, Moura NC. Orthodontic post-adjustment pain control with acupuncture. Dental Press J Orthod. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1590/2176-9451.19.4.100-106.oar.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Choi TY, Ang L, Ku B, Jun JH, Lee MS. Evidence map of cupping therapy. J Clin Med. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10081750.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Cao H, Li X, Liu J. An updated review of the efficacy of cupping therapy. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(2):e31793.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  ADS  Google Scholar 

  68. Al-Bedah AMN, Elsubai IS, Qureshi NA, Aboushanab TS, Ali GIM, El-Olemy AT, Khalil AAH, Khalil MKM, Alqaed MS. The medical perspective of cupping therapy: effects and mechanisms of action. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(2):90–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  69. Zhou Y, Cao F, Li H, Huang X, Wei D, Wang L, Lai P. Photoacoustic imaging of microenvironmental changes in facial cupping therapy. Biomed Opt Express. 2020;11(5):2394–401.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  70. Han Y, Guo LH, Xiao J. Acupuncture combined with medicated cupping for temporomandibular disorders. World J Acupunct-Moxib. 2015;25(3):31–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Kuo C-EA, Wu S-Y, Hung H-C, Hu W-L. The application and effectiveness of electroacupuncture in the pain management of temporomandibular disorders. In: SmGroup, www.Smgebooks.com.; 2017:1–11. www.smgebooks.com.

  72. Liou KT, Baser R, Romero SAD, Green J, Li QS, Orlow I, Panageas KS, Mao JJ. Personalized electro-acupuncture versus auricular-acupuncture comparative effectiveness (PEACE): a protocol of a randomized controlled trial for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(21):e20085.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. • Peixoto KO, Abrantes PS, De Carvalho IHG, De Almeida EO, Barbosa GAS. Temporomandibular disorders and the use of traditional and laser acupuncture: a systematic review. Cranio. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1080/08869634.2021.1873605. This comprehensive review analysed the efficacy of acupuncture and laseracupuncture for TMD symptoms in comparison with conventional occlusal treatments.

  74. Hu WL, Chang CH, Hung YC, Tseng YJ, Hung IL, Hsu SF. Laser acupuncture therapy in patients with treatment-resistant temporomandibular disorders. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(10):e110528.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  ADS  Google Scholar 

  75. Hotta PT, Hotta TH, Bataglion C, Bataglion SA, de Souza Coronatto EA, Siéssere S. Regalo SCH. EMG analysis after laser acupuncture in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Implications for practice. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010;16(3):158–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Gay A, Parratte S, Salazard B, et al. Proprioceptive feedback enhancement induced by vibratory stimulation in complex regional pain syndrome type I: An open comparative pilot study in 11 patients. J Bone Spine. 2007;74(5):461–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Dong Y, Wang W, Zheng J, Chen S, Qiao J, Wang X. Whole body vibration exercise for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2019.03.011.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  78. Cheatham SW, Stull KR, Kolber MJ. Comparison of a vibration roller and a nonvibration roller intervention on knee range of motion and pressure pain threshold: a randomized controlled trial. J Sport Rehabil. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2017-0164.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Lundeberg T. Vibratory stimulation for the alleviation of pain. Am J Chin Med. 1984;12(1–4):60–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Roy EA, Hollins M, Maixner W. Reduction of TMD pain by high-frequency vibration: a spatial and temporal analysis. Pain. 2003;101(3):267–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Hara ES, Witzel AL, de Luca CEP, Ballester RY, Kuboki T, Bolzan MC. A novel vibratory stimulation-based occlusal splint for alleviation of TMD painful symptoms: a pilot study. J Oral Rehabil. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Weber A, Werneck L, Paiva E, Gans P. Effects of music in combination with vibration in acupuncture points on the treatment of fibromyalgia. J Altern Complement Med. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0199.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Hecker HU, Steveling A, Peuker ET. Microsystems acupuncture: the complete guide: Ear - Scalp - Mouth - Hand. Stuttgart, New York: Thieme Medical Publishers; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Simma I, Gleditsch JM, Simma L, et al. Immediate effects of microsystem acupuncture in patients with oromyofacial pain and craniomandibular disorders (CMD): a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Br Dent J. 2009;207:E26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Yeh CH, Chiang YC, Hoffman SL, Liang Z, Klem ML, Tam WW, Chien LC, Suen LK. Efficacy of auricular therapy for pain management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/934670.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  86. Gleditsch JM. Forty years of acupuncture experience in an ENT practice. HNO. 2011;59:1185–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Ferreira LA, Grossmann E, Januzzi E, Gonçalves RT, Mares FA, de Paula MV, Carvalho AC. Ear acupuncture therapy for masticatory myofascial and temporomandibular pain: a controlled clinical trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/342507.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  88. Vieira A, Reis AM, Matos LC, Machado J, Moreira A. Does auriculotherapy have therapeutic effectiveness? An overview of systematic reviews. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.08.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Cheng H, Cheng K. Chengs Auricular Point Health Handbook (Bilingual edition). Beijing: China Medical Science Press; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Iunes DH, Chaves Éde C, Moura Cde C, Côrrea B, Carvalho LC, Silva AM, de Carvalho EC. Role of auriculotherapy in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders with anxiety in university students. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/430143.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  91. • Serritella E, Impellizzeri A, Liguori A, Galluccio G. Auriculotherapy used to manage orthodontic pain: a randomized controlled pilot study. Dental Press J Orthod. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.26.6.e2119381.oar. This is the only clinical trial reporting the use of auriculotherapy for the management of orofacial pain of orthodontic origin.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  92. •• Bo Zhiyun, Fuzhen Liaofa (Abdominal acupuncture), Vol. 1. Beijing; 1999. This important article describes the abdominal acupuncture technique for the first time, and is written by its inventor.

  93. Scott T. Abdominal acupuncture (fu zhen): Energetics and clinical applications. J Chin Med. 2008;87:16–8.

    Google Scholar 

  94. Wang Y-P, Zhang H-L, Miao Y, Yun J. Abdominal acupuncture and its management of musculoskeletal disorders. Deutsche Z Akupunkt. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dza.2013.11.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Miller FG, Kaptchuk TJ. Acupuncture trials and informed consent. J Med Ethics. 2007;33(1):43–4. https://doi.org/10.1136/jme.2006.016535.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  96. Zaslawski C. Ethical Considerations for acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine clinical trials: a cross-cultural perspective. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2010;7(3):295–301. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nen055.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by the “Academy Research Call 2021” of Sapienza University of Rome (00616_22).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

    Emanuela Serritella, Gabriella Galluccio & Carlo Di Paolo

  2. Center of Dental Medicine, Zurich University, Zurich, Switzerland

    Vera Colombo & Mutlu Özcan

Authors
  1. Emanuela Serritella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vera Colombo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mutlu Özcan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gabriella Galluccio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Carlo Di Paolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emanuela Serritella.

Ethics declarations

The Section Editors for the topical collection Dental Biomaterials are Mutlu Özcan and Paulo Francisco Cesar. Please note that Section Editor Mutlu Özcan was not involved in the editorial process of this article as she is a co-author.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not enclose studies performed in human or animal subjects performed by any of the present authors.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Serritella, E., Colombo, V., Özcan, M. et al. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Management of Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders: a Narrative Review. Curr Oral Health Rep 11, 59–67 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-023-00359-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-023-00359-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation