FAQ

This known as disc dislocation with reduction. This means that the disc inside the jaw joint is not stable and may be more forward of the joint. You will click onto it in order to open your mouth fully and usually click off the back of it again when you close your mouth. This diagnosis may not require therapy, but if there is pain or you have moments where you are stuck and cannot get it to click, then therapy is indicated to assist with stabilizing the disc so that you do not become the next diagnosis of disc dislocation without reduction.

This diagnosis is known as disc dislocation without reduction. This means that usually prior to this you did have some clicking in the joint but no trouble with eating or speaking. However, one day when it clicked upon closing or you woke up this way, you could no longer open your mouth typically beyond two fingers. This diagnosis needs help typically by the physical therapy and your dentist as needed. A splint can be helpful once we get the disc to begin to move again. Physical therapy will help to release the muscle and improve the motion of the disc. Therapy will also give you the tools and maneuvers to correct the disc if it should happen again. This diagnosis has a good prognosis when treated early after the lock has occurred. The longer the lock remains the harder it can be but not impossible to assist.

Myalgia of the masticatory muscles. This means that you have tension and pain with what would be a spasm in the jaw muscles, typically the masseter and temporalis. This diagnosis can easily be assisted with physical therapy and may require some changes in your posture, work habits, sleeping postures, etc. to help you reduce the tension and irritation. The muscles can refer pain to the lower teeth, upper teeth, joint, ear, and under the jaw. All of this can be treated with physical therapy focused on releasing them and giving you strategies and techniques to do at home to help it stay better. This is very treatable and education will help you reduce the likelihood of it returning.

This description can be many things but most are treatable with Physical Therapy. Sharp pain may be related to the nerves and the longer you have had pain the more nerves can get involved. This feeling can be what is called neuropathic pain meaning that the nerves are stimulated from other areas and is now shooting along the face (trigeminal nerve). This can come from the back of the neck, the joint, the face, and many other areas. Physical Therapy will focus on finding the source of the symptom and helping you to reduce the trigger that causes the pain with education, exercise, and hands on treatment to get the muscles to release.

This category is broad. The sources of neck pain can be many but let's look at it from the tissue stand point. Inside the joints of the neck: this could be arthritis, irritation of the joints themselves, or disc changes. These are can be treated with hands on techniques, postural strengthening and stability, and giving you education on how to reduce the tension. Outside the joints of the neck: this is usually ligaments and tendons along the neck that have gotten weaker with time either from arthritis causing changes, whiplash, neck injuries, etc that has caused changes in the tension of the neck. This is most improved with altering your prolonged postures (proper desk discussion), improving the strength of the deep muscles to give your neck more stability, and discussion on releasing the muscles that are so tight due to underlying stretch of the ligaments. Muscles of the neck: your bigger muscles that you are touching when rubbing your neck like to get tight to help your neck feel better deep inside. This pain "muscle guarding" does not need stretching, it needs deeper muscle strengthening. The neck is guarding because it doesn't have the endurance to hold your help up all day long for desk work, driving, etc. Therapy is very effective in assisting you with the proper strengthening and coordination exercises to improve your endurance for daily tasks and reduce that nagging tension always in the back of your neck and shoulders. These are broad definitions and your individual type and issue will be discussed directly with you following the examination.

Craniofacial Physical therapy is a specialty of physical therapy that assists with neck pain, head pain, jaw pain, mouth pain, numbness, tingling, and headaches. This type of physical therapy also helps with post-operative pain (dental or oral surgery). I can also help with all kinds of pain that originate from the collar bones up.

Physical Therapy specific to the head, neck and mouth has a thorough exam to find the source of the problem and will include range of motion of the neck and mouth, muscle testing, joint testing, and other techniques. Treatment will include soft tissue (like massage), manipulation (like chiropractics), and some other modalities (like cupping, dry needling, and others). The techniques used in therapy will feel similar to other professions but have distinct differences per my speciality and practice act as a physical therapist. You will be given lots of education as to why you are having the symptoms you are, how therapy can be helpful, and how you can help yourself out of pain and prevent this from occurring in the future.

On your first appointment, you should come in comfortable close with a loose/mobile collar or access to your neck. I may also need to see your upper back so a sports bra (identifying ladies) should be worn for coverage and allow me to see your back. Please bring your payment method. Any documents that you wish for me to have a copy of that you may not have uploaded to the portal already.

To provide quality and extended timed services, this clinic is an out of network, pay at time of service, clinic. I do not accept insurances nor will I bill your insurance for you. However, I did choose a system that allows you to receive a "superbill" with all the information your insurance will need to assign my services as out of network. Cash/check/card payment is required at the time of service. Placing your card on file is preferred to avoid any feelings of awkwardness by either party.

I have set up your patient portal and billing screen to be able to create superbill in which you can submit your payments and codes to your insurance for reimbursement for out of network benefits. I do accept FSA and HSA and the superbill will also work for those plan needs.