Headaches are an accepted way of life for 45 million Americans according to the National Headache Foundation (NHF). Some people have suffered so long from headaches that they don’t even know what normal feels like.
A headache is a symptom of a disease or a dysfunctional system in the body.
Sufferers begin a cycle of pain and frustration by first diagnosing themselves and then self-medicating. Because the medications treat the effects and not the cause, the cause continues to go undiagnosed and the headaches continue.
A large percentage of headaches, incorrectly diagnosed as stress, sinus, and even migraines, are actually due to Temporomandibular Joint dysfunction syndrome (TMJ ds). TMJ ds refers to pain or dental symptoms caused by a conflict between the biting surfaces of the teeth and the jaw joints.
Most doctors are not trained to diagnose TMJ ds. The majority of people with head pain due to TMJ ds rarely get correctly diagnosed. Thus, people who suffer from head and neck pain can only get temporary relief. As a result, sufferers lose more than 157 million workdays a year and spend more than 4 billion annually for over-the-counter pain relievers.
It is not uncommon for people to go from doctor to chiropractor to physical therapist in search for a diagnosis and relief from their pain.
Headaches can be correctly diagnosed and treated by a dentist who is specially trained in TMJ disorders.
The first step to achieving a correct diagnosis is to have an initial exam to determine if the headaches are from TMJ ds.
The second step is to do a comprehensive exam and complete records which include: Impressions, x-rays, photos, and thorough measurements.
Once records have been collected, the dentist can make an accurate diagnosis and design a treatment plan.