Alternative Medicine | New York Healing Center

As a complement to medical treatment and evaluation, an integrated therapy program offers additional ways to treat the cycle of pain, stress, and tension. One can change one's self by learning to become quiet in body and mind.

This approach emphasizes the well-being of the whole person, not just the treatment of specific symptoms. Given that body, mind, and spirit form an indivisible unity, it is assumed that one cannot alter any one of these without affecting the other two.

It is within this framework that the health professional acts as a guide and advisor who suggests specific techniques that one can then use to help alleviate tension-related distress. This approach thereby encourages one to take the primary responsibility for his or her own state of physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

SUBJECT

43-Year-Old Female, Management/Executive

BACKGROUND

Referred to The Gelb Center and Dr. Michael Gelb for chronic headaches, neck pain and intermittent clicking in right jaw lasting for one year and progressively worsening. Headaches were becoming more frequent; patient was finding it difficult to chew certain foods. The patient had already consulted an orthopedist, family dentist, neurologist and physical therapist. She was given anti-inflammatory medication for pain management, a night guard for clenching, as well as other pain medications for the headaches before being referred to The Gelb Center.

DIAGNOSIS

Upon evaluation with Dr. Gelb, she was diagnosed with a right hypo mobile TM joint. She was fitted for an oral appliance, and Dr. Gelb recommended adjunctive therapy, referring her to his colleague Jason H. Wallman, DPT, L.Ac., M.S., Dipl.Ac. for an integrative approach to therapy.

SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS

After her initial evaluation, it was determined that she had other complicating issues to her TMJ including postural abnormalities such as cervical spine muscular imbalances and active trigger points in numerous muscle groups, as well as high job and personal stress, and other related lifestyle issues that caused night clenching and other stress related abnormalities.

TREATMENT APPROACHES

Under Dr. Gelb and Dr. Wallman’s direction, we devised an integrated treatment approach to improve her postural awareness, increase her range of motion in the right TMJ and cervical spine, decrease her pain, stop her clicking, decrease her stress and improve her overall lifestyle. Among the integrative treatment approaches we employed were:

Acupuncture for headaches, pain reduction, increased range of motion and decreasing stress and trigger point reduction
Physical therapy techniques such as massage, laser treatments, as well as electrical stimulation, joint mobilization, postural awareness and range of motion, and exercises to increase range of motion and decrease pain.
Nutritional evaluation and program incorporating dietary modifications, as well as appropriate nutraceutical supplements to decrease stress levels, increase nutrient absorption for better circulation, increased energy and vitality as well as decreased pain and maintaining joint integrity.
Exercise program designed to decrease weight, stress and pain, while elevating her energy as well as postural and overall strength. The program included weight training, cardiovascular exercise as well as a stretching program and deep breathing.

COURSE OF TREATMENT

Total course of treatment = 10 Weeks, one to two times per week.

RESULTS

Upon follow up, patient, doctor and therapist noted the following:

Cessation of headaches,
Significantly decreased stress levels,
Increased postural awareness and strength,
TMJ and cervical spine range of motion was back within normal limits, with minimal clicking and no pain,
Lifestyle changes, including the exercise regimen and nutritional program, were followed through, and
Overall, the patient is happier and pain free.