Dr. Forsberg's Santa Cruz Headache Blog

I just saw our patient, DL, yesterday. Her foremost complaint when she first arrived in our practice was daily, severe headaches. Since treating her TMD with a neuromuscular workup and splint (orthodic) her headaches and other signs and symptoms are essentially gone. She shared with us that this was the first holiday season in years (or for as long as she can remember) that she did not have headaches. She, as well as our team, were thrilled with her success and comfort. Please see our website at: http://www.advancedsmiledesigns.com/tmj-tmd.html

If you have been diagnosed with TMD (please see prior blog entries for the definition of TMD) your dentist may have mentioned TENSing as an option to relieve your pain and symptoms. TENSing is used when it is necessary to relax and restore the muscles around the jaw joint. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation. TENSing in the dental setting refers to the use of ultra-low frequency stimulus delivered to the patient through electrodes placed on the patient's skin. TENSing is a pain free procedure that provides relief to many patients who suffer from TMD. Please contact Dr. Forsberg's office for more information on TMD relief at 831-685-3300. Also, check out our website at: http://www.advancedsmiledesigns.com/neuromuscular-dentistry.html.

According to the website http://www.myotronics.com/, the at home tens unit is "designed to allow the patient to safely apply electrical stimulation while at home to relax tense muscles. It is a battery operated, ultra-low frequency electrical stimulator designed specifically for the dental patient." Dr. Forsberg may decide to prescribe this unit to his patients for at home use to help relieve pain and muscle tension associated with T.M.D. This at home tens unit, in addition to in-office tensing, will further help relax facial muscles, increase blood circulation, and increase mandibular range of motion.

Headaches caused by tension from TMD or occlusion or bite problems may be helped with one or more of the following treatments.

1. TENS or a gentle transcutaneous electrical stimulation to relax the facial and neck muscles.
2. An orthodic or dental appliance similar to a lower retainer or mouth guard to help maintain proper occlusion.
3. Orthodontics to move the teeth into proper occlusion.
4. Oral surgery is sometimes necessary.
5. Dental restoration of teeth to put occlusion into proper alignment.

Generally, more than one option is necessary for treatment. Please check out our website at http://www.advancedsmiledesigns.com/tmj-tmd.html for more information or call our office at 831-685-3300.

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!

Happy New Year!
I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. Well, here we are into a new year and a new decade. Perhaps one of your New Years Resolutions is to call for that appointment for your chronic headache. Our office would be happy to assist you with either scheduling an appointment for an exam and consult, or just simply answering any questions you may have. Please call at 831-685-3300. Also, check out our website at: http://www.advancedsmiledesigns.com/.