<![CDATA[Physical Therapy Denver- hANS Group - hANS TMJ & Orofacial blog]]>Sat, 05 Oct 2024 21:01:35 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[What can TMJ treatment look like for individual with TMJ]]>Sun, 06 Oct 2024 02:56:20 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/what-can-tmj-treatment-look-like-for-individual-with-tmjFor the past 15 years in my office I've seen many hundreds of patients dealing with TMJ and TMJ-related symptoms come through my doors.

I thought it might be helpful to have a glimpse at what a typical individual dealing with TMJ can look like.

The woman that I saw yesterday was 46 years old.  She had been dealing with her symptoms that included jaw pain with dysfunctional jaw opening, neck and shoulder pain, and daily headaches including 5-10 migraines a month that incapacitate her.  She also recently began experiencing vertigo and ear pressure/ringing 1 month ago.  She was taking prednisone (a steroid that can often have these common side effects).  She is avoiding eating meat, chips and sandwiches.

This is what I find interesting and somewhat depressing.  In the last 4 years, she's seen a neurologist that recommended medications that she was intolerant to and she found unhelpful.  She received a night guard that failed to reduce her symptoms.  She was treated with a CPAP machine at night to increase her oxygen and that created excessive oxygen pressure in the stomach and intestines.  It created acid reflux and eventually he was treated for multiple related hernias.  

She initially spent over $1000 on 2 treatments of botox.  They were ineffective in altering her symptoms but she was advised to continue them 4x/year anyway. It was explained to her that they would eventually start to diminish her symptoms. She opted to discontinue the botox.  

She most recently began a $5000 Invisalign treatment that has moderately increased her jaw pain and that treatment will continue for 1 year.  Finally she's sought assistance from a local hospital physical therapist 3x/week for the last 2 months.  She did report a day of some mild relief afterwards before it returns again the next day.

For the past 3 years she's been unable work

And recently she's been unable to drive because of the vertigo.  She sleeps 5.5 hours/night on average and perhaps worst of all her partner relates that she has lost her self-esteem, sense of worth as she used to be very physically active and fit previously.  Now she's often bed-bound and not working.
Picture
​
I see individuals that are suffering more and less.  Some that have spent much more money or are just starting their TMJ process.   But I do think it's helpful for those out there suffering similarly- that it's not that uncommon and that you're not alone.

But just know-

You can get better again.

Find someone with certified TMJ expertise like a CCTT.  

That's the certification I have earned.  And find someone with experience in treating TMJ exclusively for at least 10 years.

Find someone that not only effectively resolves your TMJ symptoms- pain, tightness, headaches, ear ringing, vertigo, etc.

But also someone that teaches you the causes of your issues and teaches you how to eliminate them so your symptoms don't return.

​
​
]]><![CDATA[Jaw/Neck/Shoulder/Headache Patient Testimonial]]>Tue, 16 Jul 2024 13:56:30 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/jawneckshoulderheadache-patient-testimonialSometimes it's hard to know what to do next when you've sought help from all kinds different medical treatments- doctors, massage therapists, chiropractors, dentists, physical therapists... and nothing seems to actually help.

If this is you, I know you'll find this story inspiring.

My patient had experienced 20 years of these debilitating issues!  He had to drop out of college, stopped being active, working out and doing the things he loved like skateboarding.  And gained 60lbs!

Much credit to him because, for some reason, he didn't give up.  And he finally found the treatment he needed through all his perseverance.

I've only seen him 1x this year- and he's back to skateboarding every weekend! 

Awesome work, Greg!
]]><![CDATA[The BOOM!! Travell Dry Needling Results: Before and After]]>Fri, 19 May 2023 17:58:19 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/the-boom-travell-dry-needling-results-before-and-after Wanna see what Travell method Dry Needling can do for you?

Here's a patient video that demonstrates the astounding muscle changes that occurred...
]]><![CDATA[How Can you Get the Best Results from Dry Needling. Part 2]]>Fri, 19 May 2023 17:38:53 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/how-can-you-get-the-best-results-from-dry-needling-part-2Some more helpful tips on seeing the best results from Dry Needling...

When it comes to facial or TMJ Dry Needling-
Definitely use specialized facial acupuncture needles! These do take more skill from your clinician to use though as these needles are more fragile.

Does Electrical Dry Needling work well?
Sorry, no, not in my experience. I've had patients that have experienced both electrical dry needling vs the Travell dry needling I utilize in my office. They are astounded by how much more effective Travell dry needling is!

Electrical dry needling isn't very discriminatory and fails to develop skill in the clinician. It's typically just stick the needle in and hope the electricity does its job.

With Travell dry needling- we are repeatedly perfusing very specifically the tiny bands of muscle in spasm. This allows for immediate oxygen/nutrients back into the painful muscle so it can breath. And flushes out the painful inflammatory chemicals.

Dry Needling is easily the most powerful muscle spasm treatment intervention.  But not every dry needling experience is created equal!   

The clinician's skill level is a huge differentiator.  Just see my patients' reviews for the proof ;)


]]><![CDATA[TMJ Dry Needling- How Do You Know if It's Working?]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 22:33:18 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/tmj-dry-needling-how-do-you-know-if-its-workingGreat question!

Here's a video to help answer how to know:

-What to expect from facial travell method dry needling
-What kind of TMJ/facial dry needling is most effective
​-What kind is less effective
]]><![CDATA[What You Can Expect From hANS Physical Therapy]]>Wed, 10 May 2023 23:14:41 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/what-you-can-expect-from-hans-physical-therapyJust a quick explainer video of what I specialize in treating...

​-And also what a typical plan of care looks like for a patient.

(Click on the video below to watch)
​
]]><![CDATA[TMJ Dry Needling 3/4]]>Tue, 02 May 2023 15:19:16 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/tmj-dry-needling-34Wanna know how dry needling works?

]]><![CDATA[TMJ Dry Needling Part 2/4]]>Tue, 02 May 2023 15:15:18 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/oral-facial-tmj-dry-needling-part-24Patient Interview who received dry needling- to help know what to expect:
]]><![CDATA[TMJ & Tongue Thrusting- The Exercise: Part 2]]>Sat, 04 Mar 2023 02:48:31 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/tmj-tongue-thrusting-the-exercise-part-2
If you're looking to eliminate your tongue thrusting habit- here's where I'd start!

Learn and master the proper swallowing technique described first. Then practice with eating and drinking.

Get after it!

You've seen mine (QT Pie)- So what's your favorite lil Valentine's heart candy message? 
]]><![CDATA[TMJ & Tongue Thrusting: Part 1]]>Sat, 04 Mar 2023 02:44:26 GMThttp://hansptgroup.com/hans-tmj--orofacial-blog/tmj-tongue-thrusting-part-1Are you TMJ Tongue Thrusting?

​Some Tips & Exercise to Help! Part 1...

Let's dig in and help those out there with tongue thrusting that can cause persistent uncomfortable facial tension and aesthetic facial & bite issues among other things.
]]>