Dr. Forsberg's Santa Cruz Headache Blog

I can remember the first time I had a debilitating headache. I was in college and needed to write a paper that was due the next day. Instead of focusing on my assignment, I was stuck in my bedroom with the lights off and an ice pack on my head. The nausea caused by the pain was horrible. I figured I must have a migraine.

Over the course of the next several years, my headaches reoccurred and my arms would periodically go numb. Multiple trips to my medical doctor lead to a variety of unsuccessful medications for migraines, as well a MRI of my brain (which thankfully came back normal).

Finally, after talking to Dr. Forsberg during a routine dental visit, I became educated on the inter-relationship of the jaw joint to the rest of the body. I told him about my headaches and the other symptoms that had been bothering me for years. Dr. Forsberg noticed that I had many symptoms of T.M.D. (the disorder of the jaw joint). Dr. Forsberg conducted a series of pain free tests to locate a more comfortable position for my jaw. The tests gave him the information he needed to create an orthodic (a fancy term for a mouth-guard-like-retainer).

I have to admit that at first I was some-what skeptical that the orthodic would cure my pain. After having the headaches for many years, I was determined that the pain was a part of my daily life that I would have to accept and forever live with. I began wearing my new retainer which ended my headaches. I figured this might be a coincidence, and as a result of not having headaches, I slowly forgot to wear my new retainer. Only every now and then I would remember to put it in my mouth at night. However, a few weeks later I realized my foolishness when once again after forgetting to wear my orthodic, I awoke in the morning with a splitting headache. Instead of reaching for Advil I decided to place my retainer in my mouth. After about a half hour the pain melted away. My headache never reached the point of nausea and I was able to enjoy the rest of my day.

I am now a believer that my mouth guard is the reason why I am living headache free today. It is amazing that I no longer have to live on anti-inflammatories and pain medication on a weekly basis. T.M.D. is a real disorder, and relief is available. If you have a similar story, please contact Dr. Forsberg at 831-685-3300. Living headache free can be a life changing experience for you as well!