Southwest Pain Management Associates Services

Services

TMJ
TMJ disorders are problems related to the jaw, or temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone on the side of the head, and enables you to yawn, talk and chew. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw control its position and movement.

A healthy jaw can move smoothly up and down, and from side to side. A patient suffering from a TMJ disorder may experience a number of symptoms, including headaches, vision problems and facial pain.
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OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when a person snores heavily, blocking the upper airway, causing airflow to stop, and leading to low blood oxygen levels during episodes. This pattern typically occurs repetitively through the night. OSA can lead to symptoms such as extreme daytime fatigue and depression.
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HEADACHES
Headaches are very common, and for some, are rare occurrences that can be controlled with over the counter medications. However, for others, headaches are more frequent or severe, and can interfere with everyday activities. Headaches that cause symptoms such as numbness, paralysis, double vision or disorientation demand immediate medical attention.

There are over 300 different types of headaches; however, The International Headache Society (HIS) divides them all broadly into primary and secondary categories. Primary headaches include migraines, cluster headaches and tension headaches. These headaches are not a result of another disorder. Secondary headaches are caused by an underlying medical condition such as sinus disease, a brain tumor or stroke.

Over the past decade, there have been numerous advances in the diagnosis and treatment of headaches. Physicians and pain specialists have access to medications and therapies that can help even the most frustrated patients.
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TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
The trigeminal nerve is the main nerve that provides sensation to the face. It is divided into three branches on either side of the face. A person who suffers from trigeminal neuralgia (TN) experiences a sudden, sharp, shooting pain in one or more of these branches.

The pain associated with TN can be triggered by activities that cause even the slightest pressure to the affected part of the face, such as shaving or combing hair. This disorder is most common in those over 50, but can occur at any age. The cause of TN is unknown, but some studies have shown that there may be a compression of the trigeminal nerve by an artery or vein within the brain in those who suffer from the disorder. Patients with brain tumors or multiple sclerosis may also experience pain associated with TN.
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TOOTHACHE (ASSOCIATED WITH DENTAL CONDITIONS)
In most cases, toothaches-or pain around the teeth or jaws-are caused by problems such as a cavity, cracked tooth, gum disease, muscle spasms and disease of the jaw joint. The severity of a toothache can vary greatly from a mild annoyance to excruciating, and can be aggravated by cold, heat or chewing. A thorough oral examination can help to determine the cause of the toothache.

TOOTHACHE (NOT ASSOCIATED WITH DENTAL CONDITIONS)
For some, pain that feels like a toothache is due to a problem in a structure other than a tooth. This can be difficult to identify, and a patient may visit several dentists and specialists before realizing that the pain is not related to a dental condition.

Patients who have a “toothache” of a non-dental origin can experience the pain in a number of ways. Some patients have an occasionally bothersome ache, and others experience a constant, severe pain. The pain can change locations in the mouth, and last from several days to several years.
Previously, when the cause of a toothache was unknown, it was labeled as atypical odontia. Today, it is clearer that certain conditions such as salivary gland dysfunction, nerve damage psychological disorders, tumors or trigeminal neuralgia may be to blame for the pain.
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MOVEMENT DISORDERS (FACIAL TICS)
Facial tics, often referred to as dystonias or dyskinesias, are unusual, spontaneous movements of parts of the face. They can happen as a result of disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, or as a side effect of certain medications. Other common tics include blepharospasm (eye tic) and torticollis (wry neck). These can often be treated with Botox injections. In some cases, a dentist can identify and treat facial tics, but many will need to be evaluated by a movement disorder specialist.

FACIAL PAIN (NEUROPATHIC OROFACIAL PAIN)
Peripheral nerves go to outlying areas of the body such as the arms, legs, face and teeth. If one of these nerves is injured, pain is to be expected for up to several days. In some cases, however, this pain may continue for months, or even years.

Science has shown that in some cases, there can be permanent changes in the area where the nerve was first injured, all the way up to the nerves in the brain, where the pain sensation is processed. This can result in continued pain, despite normal healing in the affected area. In some cases, “plasticity” can occur, which is when the nervous system is altered so that non-painful signals, such as touch and slight pressure, are interpreted by the brain to be painful.

In the past, facial pains with an unknown cause were classified as purely psychological; however, recent research has shown that most of these pains have physical origins. These neuropathic pain disorders are often chronic, and arise from the brain, and nerves of the head, face and neck.

Pain associated with neuropathic pain disorders can vary. It can occur unprovoked, or be triggered by touch, and hot or cold sensations. The pain can also vary in degree, from a dull ache, to a strong, shock-like pain. Treatment of neuropathic pain disorders may require patience, as they are difficult to diagnose, but new tests and treatments are being developed every day.
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