205 W. Randolph, Suite 1800
Chicago Illinois 60606
(312) 920 – 0505
Website: www.headandneck.com
Most severe headaches are not migraine:
- Virtually all headache experts agree that the overwhelming majority of headaches are caused by muscle contraction not migraine
- Despite this,” migraine” has become a catchall term, even within the medical community, for any severe headache for which no other cause can be found. (Diagnostic ability, however, is limited to one’s sphere of knowledge)
- The labeling of a headache as migraine has more to do with severity rather than actual cause or symptoms
- TMJ/TMD is the leading cause of muscle contraction headaches
- The most frequent symptom of TMJ/TMD is HEADACHE
- TMJ/TMD problems frequently show their first symptoms after vehicle accidents or sports or other head and neck trauma
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A. Richard Goldman, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.
Founder and Director |
THIS PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT OF TMJ/TMD AND RELATED DISORDERS
Common symptoms of TMJ/TMD:
- Headache and pressure including tension and migraine type
- Neck pain and/or stiffness
- Face pain
- Shoulder pain
- Tooth grinding and/or clenching
- Back ache
- Clicking or other noises in jaw joint
- Eye pain
- Pain behind eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Inability to concentrate
- Depression
- Ear Ringing or buzzing
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- Ear Pain
- Hearing changes
- Ear difficulty in elevators
- or airplanes
- Dizziness
- Numbness in fingers
- and/or toes
- Toothache with no identifiable cause
- Multiple root canals
- Poor sleep quality
- Difficulty or pain with chewing
- Jaw Joint Pain
- Jaw locking
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Lifestyle effects of TMJ/TMD:
TMJ/TMD affects over 80% of the population to some extent. However, fortunately only a fraction of those affected require treatment.
The pain created by TMJ/TMD ranges from mild and intermittent, such as in the common tension-type headache, to severe, constant and intractable. The leading cause of this pain is spasms, or Charlie-horses in the muscles of the head and neck. This type of pain, in its severe form is most often confused, even by the medical community, with migraine. This confusion yields less than successful treatment when the migraine approach is attempted. Worse yet, it creates victims that, because they are labeled “migraine”, and believe that nothing further can be done, resign themselves to living with their affliction. Many, unfortunately, holding tightly to the migraine label, stop seeking treatment that might eliminate their pain and stop their dependence on pain reliever drugs.
Necessity for treatment, many times, is determined by the degree to which the pain symptoms influence one’s lifestyle. When symptoms are mild and intermittent, many times, occasional use of over the counter pain relievers may be all that is necessary. As the severity of the symptoms increases, and the constant use of pain relievers becomes problematic and ceases to give relief, the pain may have catastrophic effect on the sufferer’s lifestyle and life in general.
Severe unresolved head and neck pain, many times, destroys life quality and relationships, and can jeopardize one’s ability to earn a living. The sufferer’s agony is worsened when despite great efforts they are unable to find help. For many, daily life revolves around trying to cope with and search for relief from the excruciating pain with which they suffer. Unable to escape their pain and feelings of hopelessness, many of these victims become depressed. Some even consider suicide.
Fortunately, it has been Dr. Goldman’s experience that most sufferers, even those severe long-standing cases can be treated non-surgically with a drug-free approach.
Publications and teaching positions:
Dr. Goldman is the author of various scientific articles as well as the classic book, TMJ Syndrome The Overlooked Diagnosis, which is now available, in its entirety, free of charge, on the Head And Neck Diagnostic Center’s website.
Since graduation from Northwestern University Dental School in 1968, Dr. Goldman has amassed thousands of hours of continuing education credits in the fields of occlusion, restorative and reconstructive dentistry and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ/TMD). He has gained an international reputation by lecturing and presenting workshops on the techniques and approaches that he has developed in these fields. He has presented his materials at many institutions throughout the United States including, but not limited to:
- The Academy of General Dentistry (IL, WI, and National)
- The Chicago Dental Society
- Iowa State Dental Society
- Northwestern University Dental School
- Loyola University Dental School
- Southern Illinois University Dental School
- The University of Southern California Dental School
- Northwestern University Rehabilitation Institute
- Video Study Club Inc.
- National College of Chiropractic
- Flying Dentists Association
- American Academy of Craniofacial Pain
Practice description:
Dr. Goldman has been treating TMJ/TMD patients for over 30 years. In this time, he has successfully treated thousands of patients, including many that had been relegated to the incurable category.
100% of his practice is limited to TMJ/TMD and related disorders. He does no restorative dentistry (fillings, crowns, bridges, cleanings etc.). If necessary, and possible, he works with the patient’s existing dentist, to fulfill those needs.
The typical patient that he sees has been through multiple unsuccessful TMJ/TMD and/or migraine treatments, sometimes including surgery, for their pain. Many have spent considerable sums of money, and many years, in their unsuccessful quest for pain relief.
Patients come to the Head And Neck Diagnostic Center, from all over the United States as well as some foreign countries.
Sufferers who have never been treated before are always welcome as new patients.
Practice Philosophy:
Dr. Goldman firmly believes that successful outcome of any treatment is a direct result of a careful and thorough examination and diagnosis by professional who is well trained and experienced, specifically in the field in question. This is especially important with TMJ/TMD. Once understood, and only when understood, can the underlying problems of this affliction be identified and dealt with effectively. Dr. Goldman’s approach is not to mask over symptoms with pain reliever drugs or temporary pain relief measures, but to eliminate the reasons underlying these problems. Dr. Goldman’s treatment regimen does not use or rely on drugs for pain relief and is non-surgical.
The ultimate goal with each patient is to allow him or her to return to a normal life, free from the pain and dysfunction of, and the underlying reason for their TMJ/TMD problem. Typically, once a patient is finished, with Dr. Goldman’s protocol, with the exception of periodic checks, further TMJ/TMD treatment is usually unnecessary.
Dr. Goldman believes that patients are honored guests, in his practice, and every effort is made to treat them that way.
There are no states that license TMJ/TMD as a specialty. Dr. Goldman is licensed as a general dentist.
Unfortunately, in today’s medical world, each individual patient must be his/her own advocate. Knowledge gives one power to make proper decisions. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS OF YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
CLICK HERE to visit our website for more information about Dr. Goldman and the Head And Neck Diagnostic Center
CLICK HERE to view Dr. Goldman’s book in its entirety. Feel free to download any part of it, or the whole book, and to use it, in any manner you wish, to aid you in your recovery. |
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