Initial Exam

 

My initial consultation consists of an hour with each patient. I spend a good deal of time listening to the patient in order that I may obtain a thorough history of their problem. I will examine their head and neck, recording their sensitivity level to jaw pain and facial pain. I will listen to their TMJ’s on opening and closing to evaluate a popping jaw. I will measure their range of motion and test the muscles in the head and neck for sensitivity. I will also check the patient’s neck for tenderness and possible problems. I will thoroughly explain to the patient how the TMJ works, how it can be damaged and the ramifications of such damage. Depending on the symptoms of the patient, I quite often will recommend a week of TMD treatment to determine the major source of their problem. If the patient is suffering from facial pain or jaw pain this week of treatment will hopefully be a week of therapy as well. If the pain is mostly muscle in origin, this week will usually decrease symptoms for the patient.

I treat my patients in the most conservative possible way that will help them to become pain free and functioning. My goal is to help the patient figure out exactly what is wrong with their head and neck and to render to them a correct diagnosis. It takes time for me to do that. It will also take a commitment on the patient’s part and a desire to get better in order to achieve a more comfortable balance with their head and neck.