Our Approach

Our goal is to get you out of pain as quickly as possible. We do our best to get you seen by the doctor as close to the day you call as possible. We have carefully chosen an effective, well researched treatment approach. If it doesn’t appear that you fit the case type it is most likely to help, or you are not responding quickly, we will do our best to help you get the help you need, wherever it may be.

Step 1: Review of Your TMJ Impact Form

This is done to get an idea of how TMJ issues are impacting your life and determine workable outcome goals that will have meaning for you.  In addition we review any other pertinent health history that may be impacting your overall situation and might have a bearing on your jaw concerns. This is completed prior to your consultation with the doctor.

Cost: Complimentary. Typically forms are submitted through the website prior to a consultation.

Step 2: Consultation With The Doctor

This is done so you have the opportunity to directly discuss your condition, concerns, and questions with the doctor. In addition, the doctor can review pertinent points from your TMJ Impact Form with you and better determine the likelihood of your particular case responding to our approach.

Cost: Complimentary.  Typically the consultation takes about 15 minutes and is done over the phone, although it can occur in the office as well.

Step 3: Specific TMJ Evaluation

The TMJ is a very unique joint. Assessing it properly takes proper training and experience with musculoskeletal issues. It doesn’t take long (typically 30 minutes or less) but it does need to be specific.  In addition to evaluating the jaw, the doctor will evaluate your posture and cervical (neck) spine, as these have been associated with TMJ issues and may need to be addressed. 

Cost:  $90.  If you have insurance it may cover a portion of the examination and subsequent treatment (if engaged). If you decide to go past the complimentary consultation into the TMJ Evaluation we will check on any insurance benefits at this time. 

Step 4: Initial Treatment Block

If review of your TMJ Impact Form, Consultation and Examination indicates that you are a candidate for our approach, we begin an initial treatment block of six visits over two to three weeks. There are Six components that are addressed on each visit:

1. Reduce Pain and Inflammation:  This is accomplished using a class 3b Red Laser (non-heating or cutting)
2. Reduce Myofascial Trigger Points: Vibration Assisted Pressure Point Therapy
3. Restore Muscle Length / Tone Ratio: Passive and assisted stretching
4. Mobilize TMJ Joint: Impulse adjusting Instrument and manual mobilization
5. Identify and Treat Co-Factors As Indicated: Global and segmental postural issues of the head and neck (Forward Head Posture) and upper extremity, leg length inequalities, gait issues etc., chronic nutritional issues that may be impacting muscle, nerve or joint.
6. Integrate Patient Self Care: Use of home ice/heat, self stretching and mobilization, resistive exercises for stability of involved joints and aberrant postures, techniques to reduce Nerve System Sensitization. 

Cost: $70 per visit.  Some insurance policies may cover up to half of this cost.

Step 5: Subsequent Treatment Block

After your initial block of care, we will repeat pertinent tests from your examination, and review your initial treatment goals.  If your condition has satisfactorily resolved, you are dismissed from care to continue with your home treatment. Commonly, after the initial six visits people find that they have begun to respond to care but are not fully resolved. This can be impacted by how long your condition has been present, previous trauma, co-factors, even genetics. In these cases we typically recommend another treatment block of six, using the same approach outlined above. If you have not shown any subjective or objective improvement, this is  the time when looking for an alternative treatment approach may be in order.

Cost: $70 per visit.  Some insurance policies may cover up to half of this cost.

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