Dr. Konig, iHATEheadaches Blog

Headaches and TMJ and NIghtguards

2010-02-16T07:19:00.003-06:00

HEADACHES and TMJ and Nightguards

TMJ is a broad term. Many times people do not realize that all they may need is a nightguard as opposed to TMJ treatment. This is not say that TMJ treatment is not needed, it goes to recognize that sometimes patients who are stressed or in different phases of life tend to clench at nighttime which is like working out your muscles for hours.

Usually, these types of patients will have no clicking or popping, no trouble opening or closing.
Perhaps headaches in the morning which go away when awake. The way to discern whether it is a true TMJ problem or simply a nocturnal clenching problem is to have a dentist who has special interest and training in TMJ do a thorough exam.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding TMJ or headaches, please feel free to call Dr. Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, 713-668-2289

Most Symptoms of TMJ

2010-02-02T18:00:00.002-06:00

Most Common Symptoms of TMJ

I was recently asked by a patient what the most common symptoms of TMJ are. In our practice,

it seems that the following are the most common, but not necessarily in this order

1) Sore facial muscles and jaws

2) Headaches

3) Ear congestion

4) Neck and shoulder pain

5) Clicking and popping

There are many more, however, these seem to stand out the most.

If you have any questions about TMJ and headaches, please feel free to call our office. Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF 713-668-2289

Percy Harvin's Migraines

2010-01-31T16:58:00.002-06:00

Percy Harvin's Headaches

I came across this article discussing Percy Harvin's issue with headaches and migraines. Throughout the course of the article, there were many suggestions as to what he should do. There was no mention of seeing a neuromuscular dentist who has special interests in TMJ and facial pain. With all the strenuous exercise and physical demands placed on a pro athlete, there is a real chance that his biteor misaligned jaw and facial muscles, and nerves are related to these headaches. I only hope that after ruling out medical issues, that someone directs him to an experienced neuromuscular dentist to see if these headaches are being caused by these issues. Not a day goes by in our practice when we do not see someone who is afflicted by headaches that are related to a misaligned jaw.

If you have any questions about misaligned jaws and headaches, or TMJ problems in general, please do not hesitate to call our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, 713-668-2289

Percy Harvin's Migraines, Adrian Peterson's Fumbles: Vikings Offseason Headaches

Dan Nelson

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

This offseason, the Minnesota Vikingshave a number of issues to work through if they want to make a Super Bowl run in 2010-11.

Longevity of TMJ Treatment

2010-01-29T22:25:00.003-06:00

LONGEVITY OF TMJ TREATMENT

We had a patient whom we treated for TMJ and severe headache problems 4.5 years ago and had not seen her since she moved to Chicago. To stablize her jaw and muscles it was necessary to build up the lower back teeth on both sides. She came in today to discuss cosmetic dentistry as she has no headaches and feels great.

The point is that when correctly diagnosed, stabilized, and treated TMJ problems and the associated symptoms such as headaches, neck aches, ringing of the ears...etc can allow patients to live comfortably and not just have a quick fix. This is where neuromuscular dentistry comes in.

It is a sophisticated and computer assisted way to help diagnose, treat, and stabilize TMJ problems on a long term basis.

If you have any questions regarding TMJ or headaches, our office welcomes the opportunity to assist you. Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

Waking up with Headaches?

2010-01-29T21:52:00.002-06:00

Waking up with Headaches?

Many people go to sleep feeling healthy only to awake with headaches. One of the possible culprits could be related to their jaw joints and bite (way teeth meet together). If you clench or grind your teeth during the night, this puts abnormal stresses on the muscles of the head and neck which can cause headaches. Additionally, if this person already has TMJ or jaw problems, it will exacerbate the problem.

Another possibility to consider is that of sleep apnea. Many people who brux or grind their teeth have some form of sleep apnea and/or snoring. Some of these patients are candidates for dental sleep appliances which can solve both problems.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office of Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, 713-668-2289

TMJ, Headaches and Relief

2010-01-28T20:18:00.003-06:00

TMJ, HEADACHES and Relief

We see numerous TMJ patients who we have been treating for a few weeks who come in the feeling like new people!

Many of these patients advise us that they no longer have headaches, and their associate neck and shoulders feel better as well as their jaw muscles. This is something that happens all the time in our office. Some take longer to treat then others, but the majority start to feel better relatively soon.

It never ceases to amaze our patients that their symptoms are related to the way their teeth and jaws align. By the same token TMJ is a also not well known in the medical field. Whereas there are many doctors who recognize this problem, a large percentage are not aware of the problems that it causes. This is why so many TMJ patients that have seen doctors ranging from neurologists, ENTs, psychiatrists, and even had MRIs and CAT scans.

Neuromuscular dentistry and the use of computerized equipment has been one of the most effective ways to help treat patients predictably and long term.

If you have any questions regarding TMJ , please feel free to contact our office at 713-668-2289 as we are happy to answer any questions you have or make an appointment to discuss your situation. Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

Misdiagnosis by Physicians: TMJ and Headaches

2010-01-03T21:27:00.003-06:00

Misdiagnosis by Phyicians; TMJ and Headaches

In an recent article published in Redbook Magazine, there is an article titled "Four Diseases Doctors Get Wrong". Not surprisingly, TMJ and headaches is listed as one of them. This is not to put down doctors at all, however, TMJ is truly one of the most overlooked medical conditions today. The article states, symptoms: Headaches and/or ringing or aching ears, or possibly aching back, neck and/or teeth. The doctors says it is migraines or an ear disorder. It could be TMJ Syndrome.

Why the confusion? When the joint connecting your jaw and skull becomes inflamed , the pain radiates and causes headaches and mimics ear problems. This needs to be treated by a neuromuscular dentist who is highly trained in TMJ, but the symptoms will likely send you to an ENT or Internist.

We see patients weekly who have been to many specialist that have not been able to diagnose this problem. However, it is good that they have ruled out other medical issues.

Sadly, many patients live with this pain for years before discovering that it can be treated.

If you have any questions with regards to TMJ please do not hesitate to call Dr. Ronald Konig's office as they welcome the opportunity to help you or answer any questions you may have: 713-668-2289

CLUSTER HEADACHES, BRUXISM, & SLEEP APNEA

2009-12-13T15:10:00.002-06:00

CLUSTER HEADACHES, BRUXISM, & SLEEP APNEA

A research report was completed on a patient who had cluster headaches and bruxism and had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as well. The patient was treated with an intra-oral device as the sleep apnea was mild but the dental wear was severe and the patient had discomfort with the jaw muscles called the masseters.

Reductions in facial pain and cluster headaches was noticed after the second day of using the intra oral device. A 12 month followup reported six attacks in the first 45 days and therafter had neither facial pain or cluster headaches. The sleep apnea was also followed up with a new PSG.

It cannot be denied that the use of properly fabricated and adjusted intra oral devices can help to eliminate headaches and help with sleep apnea problems as well. This article points to the need for recognition of many factors that can be involved in this type of headache.

More information on this research can be found in International Journal of the Science and Practice of Sleep Medicine, Vol 13, Number 4, November 2009

Please do not hesitate to contact Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

The Sadly Unknown Cause of Many Headaches

2009-12-01T20:58:00.002-06:00

The Sadly Unknown Cause of Many Headaches

This title states it all. This afternoon , a new patient came in complaining of headaches, limited opening of her jaw, pain, and clicking of her jaw. She had been to several doctors, her dentist, and finally her physical therapist who suggested perhaps she had TMD (temporal mandibular joint dysfunction). This had been going on for over a year and no one correctly diagnosed or referred

her to the appropriate care. This happens everyday. The message is clear, after medical problems are ruled out, referrals to those who specialize in TMJ is indicated and education of doctors in regards to TMJ dysfunction is essential if our patients are to be helped. Whereas there are many who understand the role that TMJ plays in patients overall health.

With the patient above, some of the symptoms were obvious. However, many times we see patients who have no obvious symptoms and TMJ is still the culprit. In retrospect, further education about this problem in the medical field is essential and recognition among medical insurance is necessary to help these patients.

If you have any questions with regards to TMJ, please feel free to call Dr. Ronald Konigs office,

713-668-2289 as they welcome your questions and concerns.

HEADACHES, TMJ, & Posture

2009-11-11T08:31:00.003-06:00

HEADACHES, TMJ, & POSTURE

TMJ or jaw related problems often extend beyond the symptoms that are felt in the head and jaw joint area. In a large number of patients that we treat, headaches are a predominant complaint. With TMJ treatment, we are usually able to eliminate the headaches, however, treatment should not stop here.

Postural issues such as neck pain and forward head posture are very often other symptoms that benefit from neuromuscular TMJ treatment. In short, looking at the "whole patient" is essential to helping the patient with long term problems and making them feel better. It is truly amazing at what neuromuscular treatment can do to help patients feel healthy beyond just the headaches and jaw joint soreness. Additionally, this helps long term stability as well.

If you have any questions regarding TMJ and postural issues, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Ronald Konig's office at 713-668-2289.

TMJ HEADACHES , TMJ & TAKING MEDICATION

2009-11-01T18:40:00.003-06:00

HEADACHES, TMJ, & TAKING MEDICATIONS

Many of you are probably taking medications regularly to try and control the pain and discomfort from headaches. This is not referring to prescription medications for headaches not related to TMJ and is certainly understandable. So often, we see patients living on Advil, Tylenol, and muscle relaxants as the only way to cope or bring the pain under control.

Massages and physical therapy do help the patients who fall in this category. What is important to note is that this is only a temporary solution to the pain and the reason that the pain returns is the problem has not been corrected. If your bite is out of alignment and causing the muscle pain and headaches then getting a massage will be a temporary fix.

The goal of neuromuscular dentistry is not only to make you feel better, but to correct the misalignment that is causing the headaches so that patients can live without the medications as well, which further contributes to their overall health.

If you have any questions about TMJ related headaches, please feel free to contact our office at 713-668-2289, as we welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you. Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

HEADACHES & TMJ: Often Overlooked

2009-10-24T09:54:00.001-05:00

HEADACHES & TMJ: The Often Overlooked Cause

Headaches and pain symptoms caused by TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders often go overlooked and undiagnosed. This is especially common in patients who experience ear pain and headaches. It is debilitating for individuals to have a headache everyday. Not only is this painful but it decreases a person's ability to work, function, and even care for their families.

I am fortunate to work with many medical specialists who understand what TMJ is and after ruling out other medical issues often refer to our office to assist these patient's with their TMJ problems. However, many doctors do not recognize that TMJ is a big culprit in so many cases. Doctors are trained to look for abnormalities. Often they will run a series of tests, looking for something abnormal to pop up and making sure that there are no serious medical problems. Once they find something wrong on your x-ray, MRI, blood work, etc., they can look in a book and find a description of the usual presentation of that abnormality.

Unfortunately, in many cases there is no way to "see" that individuals have TMJ problems. Patient's have all these wild symptoms and nothing to show for it. How is your physician supposed to know that a "normal" activity can result in such abnormal symptoms?

Many times, we see patient's and the problem is obvious to us. However, with our sophisticated computer TMJ analysis we are now able to see the underlying cause of the TMJ problem that is causing headaches and pain. This computer analysis is FDA and ADA approved.

The good news is that most TMJ and associated headaches can be treated non-surgically.

For more information, please feel free to contact our office at 713-668-2289 with any questions as we welcome the opportunity discuss these issues with you. Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

UNKNOWN REASONS FOR HEADACHES

2009-10-18T21:14:00.002-05:00

UNKNOWN REASONS FOR HEADACHES

So many of our patient's whom we see for headaches have seen internists, ENT's, neurologists,

and even had MRI's to ensure that they do not have a brain tumor. Whereas it is great to rule out medical issues, headaches caused by TMJ problems and facial musculature problems are very common and often overlooked.

Some of these patients have popping and clicking of the joints, limited movement of the jaw,

soreness and headaches in the morning and afternoon, neck and shoulder pain and many other symptoms. However, some seem to be asymptomatic.

The easiest way to understand why patient's can get headaches and facial pain from TMJ issues is to see how it would feel to hold your arm up (or level with your shoulder) all day long. Spasms and muscle tightness ensue and cause the problems. In essence, if the bite is incorrect then every time you place your teeth together your muscles are overworking or "working out" and when you open the do the same. So your jaw and facial muscles can never relax and in turn cause facial pain and headaches.

It is truly amazing that this can occur, however, every day we see the same scenario from one or more new patient's who are looking for relief from their headaches.

If you have any questions about TMJ related headaches, please feel free to contact our office at 713-668-2289, as we welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you. Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

Welcome!

2009-09-23T13:58:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Texas neuromuscular dentistry blog for Dr. Ronald Konig. Please check back for additional posts.