FCST clinic offers various therapies that are effective in relieving Dystonia symptoms. Many Dystonia patients may already be familiar with most of them, such as CranioSacral Therapy, Acupuncture and Positive Thinking. However, the therapy that allows full recovery from Dystonia (includes cervical, focal and other types of Dystonias) that is also unique to the clinic is Functional CerebroSpinal Therapy or FCST for short which was developed by Dr Lee. According to Dr Lee, the reason for this is because the therapy resolves the fundamental cause of Dystonia and other neurological disorders.
So What is FCST?
The therapy essentially resolves the following two structural problems:
- Imbalance of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) using intraoral balancing appliances. Dr Lee uses 3 different types of balancing appliances (CBA, TBA and OBA). These are different to splints or other intraoral appliances provided from ordinary dentists:
CBA – (Cervical Balancing appliance)
A disposable custom made intraoral balancing appliance (to be worn only once upto 1 hour) which allows balance of TMJ at the optimal freeway space (also referred to as zero point) to the individual according to the cranial and spine structure until deflection* (see ‘Deflections‘). This appliance is worn during Chuna (similar to chiropractic) therapy for alignment of C1 and C2.
TBA and OBA – (TMJ Balancing Appliance) and (Occlusion Balancing Appliance)
Made of elastic material to accommodate for different occlusion and TMJ structure in individuals and is effective in balancing the TMJ throughout day and night. Occlusion balancing appliance (OBA) is for patients who also have problems with occlusion (typically for Class 2 and Class 3 malocclusion). Patients are asked to wear this device for as long as possible for faster treatment. Patients may feel pain as occlusion changes but once the optimal occlusion is achieved teeth will no longer move and cause pain.
CBA
TBA OBA
2. Distorted upper cervical vertebrae C1 and C2, also known as Atlas and Axis, by using Chuna (similar to chiropractic) manipulation to realign them whilst wearing CBA.
Other therapies at the clinic
Other sub therapies, together with FCST, offered at the clinic help to fasten the recovery process. Ultimately, the whole treatment aims to:
- Rebalance the body structure from TMJ to the pelvis
- Stabilize the nervous system
- Regain mental stability
Cure for Dystonia 
Hello,
Thank you for creating such an informative and fascinating website. It always gives others hope when they can read about someone in a similar situation that has found a solution to their problems.
I’ve been dealing with TMD for almost 20 years now and I’m currently in a pivot splint decompressing my TMJs before I have disc plication surgery to reposition my anteriorly displaced discs on both sides. This will be followed be intensive physio to obtain a normal opening and as normal as possible joint anatomy. The Splint will be modified during this time to balance the bite as healing occurs in the joints and cranial sacral will also be performed to aid the process and fully unlock the cranial system.
I’ve had it stressed to me that disc position is of the upmost importance and when out of position causes feedback into various nerves and all sorts of muscle activity/spasm/protection which then effects the flow of CSF through the cranial system.
I have few questions regarding the CBA, TBA and OBA if you don’t mind-
Is the CBA made from a soft putty that allows the mandible position to change after upper cervical adjustment?
The TBA and OBA look to be made from silicon. How does the OBA change occlusion if it is very soft?
Both the TBA and OBA look like a deprogramming device to let the mandible assume whatever position it wants or to stop the occlusion from determining TMJ position. Would a flat plane hard splint not also do this?
I plan on receiving some upper cervical chiropractic after my surgery to help further balance my TMJs and have any corresponding shifts built into my splint.
Many thanks
Kind regards
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for reading my blog and sorry for the late reply. It certainly is a huge relief to have found a solution to my problems. I’ve been using TBA for a year now (just when I’m sleeping), still after my treatment and it allows me to carry out daily activities free from TMD symptoms.
I am not an expert so I will answer your questions to the best of my knowledge however, it may be worth asking Dr Lee directly to gain a more accurate understanding of the theory. Also, because many doctors have different theories, bear in mind that what I’ll explain may not be agreed with by other doctors.
CBA is made from a soft putty, which dries after a minute or so (not completely hard though). The procedure aligns TMJ first by using CBA and then manipulate the upper cervical vertebrae. The idea is to align the TMJ at its optimal position with CBA and then adjust upper cervical vertebrae to its optimal position too. For most people CBA is no longer optimal after a period of time (typically an hour) because of the physical (i.e. structural/muscular) changes which is why patients are told not to wear it for more than an hour usually.
TBA and OBA mainly serves the following purposes – to maintain alignment of TMJ and to alter occlusion. The reason why it has to be soft is because of the freeway space. As explained in framework, we all have freeway space of around 2-3mm (although some doctors may tolerate wider range) which have to be maintained exactly equal at both sides in order to keep TMJ aligned and the soft material is the best way to allow the freeway space to be equal at all times whatever our occlusion/bite is and in whatever position we are in.
OBA is for people with Class 2 or 3 occlusion, even though it is made of soft material I can assure you the occlusion changes. I had Class 2 occlusion when I first started the treatment – after wearing OBA for 3 months my occlusion changed to Class 1 (normal occlusion). I think the reason is that our gum is soft and the teeth can move whatever way you pull it (for example, you can get your teeth extracted by simply pulling it because the gum is soft). OBAs covers the whole of your teeth on the upper and lower mandible so it does pull all the teeth in the position that it is designed to. My gum did hurt as the position were changing but once the bite was altered and I started using TBA, I no longer had pain.
Hope that answers your questions.
Let me know if you have any other questions or need more clarification. I hope you can also be free from TMD.
Thanks,
Sue
Mark, who did you have treatment with in the US? Sue, are there any doctors doing this in the US?