Yes, I Do That
Even after twenty years of practice, I regularly get surprised. Sometimes these surprises come in the form of helpful reminders or provocative questions. And sometimes the questions serve as reminders. One patient recently — and kindly — reminded me that part of my job is letting you know how I can help you. And this website and blog help me meet that challenge.
I was treating the patient — who had come to me often, for a variety of complaints — when she casually asked, “Do you do jaws?” Now, you may well wonder what “doing” a jaw entails. But don’t be alarmed, it’s just shorthand for “treat and fix.”
And, yes, I do jaws. Lots of them. That’s because — it may be your turn to be surprised— lots of people suffer from jaw problems. And many of them are completely unaware of the source of their discomfort.
The culprit is a condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ for short. It manifests itself as a clicking, cracking, popping hinge; in discomfort when chewing…or yawning…or even talking; and it sometimes causes headache and stiff neck and…well, a long list of maladies.
What is that pesky temporomandibular joint? Well, the temporal bone is actually a part of your skull, while the mandible is a part of your jaw. So, once again we’re dealing with a joint and, of course, with the supporting structure of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
And what goes wrong? Often, TMJ results from tight muscles that prevent the joint from moving properly. If you’re keeping score at home, these muscles include the buccinators, the temporalis, and the pterygoids, and they’re located both inside and outside of the mouth. Sometimes, the neck muscles, especially the anterior ones, are connected to an ongoing jaw problem. And even the shoulder and pectoral muscles can be culprits, as well.
That means a successful TMJ treatment must address not only the jaw itself, but also the surrounding structures. (Hello! Once again, we’re reminded that the body is an interconnected system.) The good news is that TMJ usually responds favorably to simple, short-term treatment. Especially if you don’t wait — and suffer — twenty-or-so years before seeking help.
So, yes, I do jaws. And feet. And hands and heads and so on.
All of this serves as another reminder to me: that my patients have always been, and will continue to be, my best teachers. If I haven’t thanked you who are reading this for the privilege of being your doctor, let me use this opportunity to do so. I’ve been blessed with a diverse and stimulating group of wonderful people who join me in pursuit of a higher level of wellness — Total Wellness, in fact — and who constantly challenge me to learn and grow. For all of this and more, I thank you.
I was treating the patient — who had come to me often, for a variety of complaints — when she casually asked, “Do you do jaws?” Now, you may well wonder what “doing” a jaw entails. But don’t be alarmed, it’s just shorthand for “treat and fix.”
And, yes, I do jaws. Lots of them. That’s because — it may be your turn to be surprised— lots of people suffer from jaw problems. And many of them are completely unaware of the source of their discomfort.
The culprit is a condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ for short. It manifests itself as a clicking, cracking, popping hinge; in discomfort when chewing…or yawning…or even talking; and it sometimes causes headache and stiff neck and…well, a long list of maladies.
What is that pesky temporomandibular joint? Well, the temporal bone is actually a part of your skull, while the mandible is a part of your jaw. So, once again we’re dealing with a joint and, of course, with the supporting structure of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
And what goes wrong? Often, TMJ results from tight muscles that prevent the joint from moving properly. If you’re keeping score at home, these muscles include the buccinators, the temporalis, and the pterygoids, and they’re located both inside and outside of the mouth. Sometimes, the neck muscles, especially the anterior ones, are connected to an ongoing jaw problem. And even the shoulder and pectoral muscles can be culprits, as well.
That means a successful TMJ treatment must address not only the jaw itself, but also the surrounding structures. (Hello! Once again, we’re reminded that the body is an interconnected system.) The good news is that TMJ usually responds favorably to simple, short-term treatment. Especially if you don’t wait — and suffer — twenty-or-so years before seeking help.
So, yes, I do jaws. And feet. And hands and heads and so on.
All of this serves as another reminder to me: that my patients have always been, and will continue to be, my best teachers. If I haven’t thanked you who are reading this for the privilege of being your doctor, let me use this opportunity to do so. I’ve been blessed with a diverse and stimulating group of wonderful people who join me in pursuit of a higher level of wellness — Total Wellness, in fact — and who constantly challenge me to learn and grow. For all of this and more, I thank you.
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