Dr. Roubal's Omaha, Nebraska blog

We recently had a female patient who we first examined about four years ago. At that time, she declined treatment due to her feeling the cost exceeded her pain problems. Well, guess what, she's back. Now, the pain is much worse! On new examination, her ability to open her mouth is drastically less, her TM joints are much more degenerated and she has developed other painful problems. I would suspect we may not be able to get as complete resolution of her symptoms today versus 4 years ago; or it will take longer, cost more, or we will need to refer out for either (or both) chiropractic or physical therapy help. Her presentation of further suffering and degeneration without treatment is very typical of headache, facial pain, TM joint patients. These problems do not go away without treatment , they may "quiet" down occasionally, but that doesn't mean they went away. The old adage is very true, a ounce prevention is worth a pound of cure.