It is always wise for the healthcare provider to maintain a broad view of the patient when trying to evaluate and understand their problem(s). Clinicians in all specialties must avoid ‘tunnel vision’ during the evaluation process. Collecting a careful history of symptoms is always important and can, at times, be critical as shown in this [...]
Information & Testing Services For TMJ & Chronic Pain
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TMJ Scale Helps Patient Seek Treatment
A 16 year old white female in northern Pennsylvania was experiencing extreme jaw pain on both sides of her face near the ears in 1989.
She had orthodontics for straightening her teeth six months ago. She had been experiencing non-painful clicking and popping in both ears for 18 months. She had not had any accidents or [...]
Chronic Pain Evaluation and Management Tool for Clinicians
The Chronic Pain Battery™
What is it? A computer scored, paper and pencil, multi-dimensional assessment and management tool for use by clinicians who evaluate and treat patients with chronic or recurrent non-malignant pain.
Who uses it? The CPB was developed for physicians, dentists, psychologists, and specialists in chronic pain evaluation and treatment. Since 1984 it has been [...]
Re-testing helps patient and dentist
Case Example: Re-testing helps patient and dentist
A 19-year-old female was suffering from TMJ pain and severe bilateral (both sides) headaches of more than three years duration. The pain started after an auto accident, and she did not have any pain before the accident. A neurologist ordered a CT scan after the accident, but it was [...]
Chronic TMJ Pain and Stress
A 21-year-old white female was experiencing chronic facial pain and clicking in the left TM joint that made chewing difficult. Her doctor thought that orthodontic treatment was necessary, even thought the patient had no specific concerns about the appearance or functioning of her teeth. The problem had been present for 8 years. During this time [...]
Case Study: Sports Injury
Example of the role the TMJ Scale can play in evaluation and treatment.
An 18 year old male suffered a facial injury during a basketball game. Shortly after the injury he could not open his left jaw joint and had pain on both sides of his jaw, pain in his ear, and headaches. He completed a [...]
Case Report: Facial pain is not always "TMJ"
Example of the role the TMJ Scale can play in evaluation and treatment.
A 48-year-old married white male was experiencing headaches and facial pain. He had a history of arthritis in his cervical spine (upper spine near the neck). He had been treated with medications, including Sansert and Cortisone. He had seen many doctors, dentists, and [...]
New On-Line Test
This is a brief announcement that the Chronic Pain Batterytm assessment tool is now available for scoring on-line by registered clinicians. To read more click here
Do you try to cope with chronic pain?
Cope With Pain-Parts 1 & 2
by Stephen R. Levitt, MD, PhD
A three hour audio educational program (MP3 format compatible with both PC and MAC) written and narrated by an expert in the field and created for patients with chronic or recurrent pain. A number of years ago, Pain Resource Center produced an audiotape course to [...]
