Dislocation of the lower jaw may be caused by a blow on the point of the jaw when the mouth is open, or by yawning, laughing, or dental extractions. The history is usually clear, and there is obvious deformity of the face and inability to close the mouth, from which saliva dribbles away. The head of the bone can be felt on the surface of the cheek, slightly in front of its normal position. The chin is prominent and the lower teeth protrude in front of the upper. Dislocation is usually on one side only, though it may be on both.


TREATMENT:
1. Pad your thumbs well with strips of lint and insert them into the patient's mouth over his back teeth.
2. Exert steady pressure downwards to depress the angle of the jaw, at the same time raising the chin with your fingers outside the mouth. The head of the bone slips back into position with a snap, hence the need to protect your thumbs.
3. After reduction take care to prevent the recurrence. Do not give solid food for a week.

Recurrent dislocations are not uncommon. People to whom this has happened on a number of occasions often know how to put the bone back into place without assistance.

MKSol: Physical Therapy Weekly Health Report

The application of cold water produces a greater stimulation of the skin and a more intense reaction of the body. There are two well-defined stages.

1- The first stage is a direct, local response to the application. When exposed to cold the blood vessels in the skin contract, reducing the flow of blood through the skin.


2- The second stage is a general, reflex-type action, which consists of reactive vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels), which increases the flow of blood through the skin, giving it a reddish appearance.

In hydrotherapy treatments it is important to always favor this second, reactive phase by:

> Covering up in bed as soon as the application has finished,
> Taking physical exercise, or
> Applying friction to the skin.

"Never apply cold water to a cold body"