The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Temporomandibular Disorders (ACPTMD) was launched in November 2009 and is a group of Chartered Physiotherapists with a specialist interest in the expert management of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) who work in the NHS or in Private practice.
Our launch was facilitated by the Clinical Lead, Mr Stephen Davies, and Speciality dentist, Ms. Anne Budenburg , both based at the Manchester Dental Hospital Temporomandibular Clinic.
Chairperson/tutor
Alex has practiced as a physiotherapist since graduating from Coventry University with his BSc in 2004. He subsequently graduated from Nottingham University with an MSc in Physiotherapy (Manual Therapy) in 2012. Alex has worked at Nottingham University Hospitals since 2005. He has been working full-time as a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Craniomandibular Disorders for the Maxillofacial service since 2021. In his role, he specialises in treating both idiopathic & post- surgical TMDs. He also has a strong clinical interest in the physiotherapeutic management of headaches and is a contributor to the EdACHe program (Education & Assessment for Competence in Headache). He has published several articles relating to physiotherapy and TMDs and is a co-author of the 2024 Royal College of Surgeons guidelines for the management of TMDs. Additionally, Alex has been one of the ACPTMD’s tutors since 2019.
Vice Chairperson
Pete has 15 years of clinical experience working as a Chartered Physiotherapist in the NHS and private sector after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2009.
He works in the NHS as a Clinical Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with a special interest in TMD and also as a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Chronic Pain Management, within a Multidisciplinary Pain Management Service. Pete works closely with Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and has led clinical care pathway reform for TMD patients across East Lancashire.
Pete has recently been awarded a UK National Institute for Health Research Internship during which he will lead research with the aim of better understanding the needs of and improving care and quality of life for TMD patients.
Secretary
Cathy qualified in 1994 with a BSc (Hons) from Leeds Metropolitan University, and has specialised in MSK Physiotherapy since 1996. She co-founded ACPTMD in conjunction with Stephen Davies and Anne Budenberg, Clinical Dental Specialists in TMD based at Manchester Dental Hospital TMD Clinic, in 2009, and has worked with patients with temporomandibular disorders since 2008 in the NHS and Private Practice. She has attended conferences in the USA and Europe and has developed links with the Dutch Orofacial Physiotherapists contributing to the development of ACPTMD.
Cathy teaches on the Management of TMD at BAPAM CDP sessions and within her NHS physiotherapy departments within Stockport. Cathy also works as a Vestibular Physiotherapist in the Balance Clinic within the ENT department at Stepping Hill Hospital alongside the consultant and vestibular audiologist.
Treasurer
Gail qualified as a Physiotherapist from the Leeds School of Physiotherapy in 1985 from where she went to work in the NHS. She has held senior roles in orthopaedics (Leeds General Infirmary), Rheumatology (St Lukes Hospital Bradford) and since 1992 musculoskeletal outpatients at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. It is here that she developed an interest in TMD and facial palsy (been a member of Facial Therapy Specialists International since 2015).
In 2019 Gail was appointed clinical lead for TMD and facial palsy at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching Hospitals Trust. Since then Gail has been working closely with the maxillofacial consultant to develop the TMD service and multidisciplinary working. Now, primary care TMD referrals (GP, GDP) are triaged directly to physiotherapy for initial treatment. After this, those patients requiring a maxillofacial opinion are referred into the TMD MDT clinic. This is a multidisciplinary approach allowing patients access to physiotherapy, maxillofacial surgery and clinical psychology.
Alongside her clinical work Gail continues her professional development, attending conferences and courses on TMD and facial palsy, and teaching locally.
Gail is passionate about the development of TMD provision and the timely and appropriate access to treatment for patients, alongside increasing her knowledge with current literature and research, and as part of ACPTMD continues to work towards this.”
Tutor
Hugo qualified as a physiotherapist from Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Portugal in 2014. He worked in Lisbon for 2 years where he acquired experience in Musculoskeletal conditions in sports, public hospitals and private clinics. In 2016 he moved to London and developed a strong interest in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and Orofacial Pain. He works in the private sector as a TMD specialist and in the NHS as an advanced practitioner physiotherapist in the Maxillofacial Department at St. George’s Hospital. Alongside Hugo´s clinical work he contributes to continuing professional development (CPD) through attending various conferences and courses on TMD and he also lectures both nationally and internationally. He has now completed his Masters Degree in Pain Science and Management at Keele University.
Tutor
Phil is a TMD specialist physiotherapist. His previous TMD experience includes: TMD specialist role in musculoskeletal outpatients at Sheffield NHS Hospitals; TMD extended scope role at the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital; TMD tutor at Sheffield Hallam University (physiotherapy master’s degree course), University of Sheffield (dental undergraduate degree course) and University of Liverpool (dental and physiotherapy postgraduate course). Phil has recently relocated to Scotland to be closer to family. He is currently working as a TMD specialist in private practice in Bridge of Allan and is employed by NHS Education for Scotland to provided TMD CPD to dentists at various venues around Scotland. Phil continues to be an active committee member and course tutor for the ACPTMD.
Education Officer/ Tutor
Events Coordinator
Anna Hogg has worked as a Physiotherapist since graduating from Guys Hospital London in1987, and subsequently gained her membership to the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists ( MACP) in 1997. Anna’s current role is a Specialist Physiotherapist in MSK for the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust with a special interest in TMD . She is an original co-founder of the ACPTMD and has had extensive training in this speciality both Nationally and Internationally .
Membership Secretary
Harriette graduated from University of Birmingham in 2012 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, and has since been working in both the NHS and private sectors.
After graduation, Harriette has taken on additional training in acupuncture and injection therapy, as well as attending the ACPTMD course on physiotherapy management of temporomandibular joint disorders in 2019. Since attending this course, Harriette has started to develop a TMD service within her NHS trust, with patients mainly being referred from Maxillofacial consultants. She also sees TMD patients privately at a practice in Birmingham.
Social Media officer
Rachel graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2011 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, and has since worked in professional
Sport, the NHS and private sector. Since completing her undergraduate degree, Rachel has completed additional training in acupuncture, Non-medical prescribing as well as masters level modules in advanced clinical practice. In 2016 she moved to London and developed a strong interest in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and Orofacial Pain. She attended the ACPTMD foundation course on physiotherapy management of TMD in 2019.
Rachel is currently working as an Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist within the NHS specialising in the management of patients with complex musculoskeletal pain, including TMD and orofacial pain.
Social Media and Marketing Manager
Sam is a highly experienced physiotherapist with over 17 years’ clinical expertise. She graduated from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and has been based in London since 2014. She spent seven years with CHANT, a community-based head and neck cancer service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
In collaboration with the Guy’s Cancer Academy, Sam developed two online courses designed to upskill healthcare professionals in the management of head and neck cancer. She has also contributed to a national working group creating new UK guidelines on radiotherapy‑related late effects following head and neck cancer treatment, due for publication later this year.
Sam now works in private practice in central London, with a special interest in temporomandibular disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, and post‑operative rehabilitation.