TMJ Pain and Headache Relief at Raleigh Facial Pain Center

We thank these patients for sharing their stories. If you are a patient who would like to contribute your words to help others, please contact us.

Harlene Shaw

I have arthritis of the jaw joint. My journey started in October 2009 with a constant tense dull ache on the lower right side, both with teeth and muscles. I could not enjoy life. I was irritable and moody. My sleep pattern was very poor. I would wake up frequently in the night and the only relief was hot packs on the jaw and sitting in a recliner. Later when I received biofeedback therapy, I could practice relaxation techniques. Dr. Yount's article, "A Case Study of Unbearable Pain and Healing" could be written about me.

By the time I was referred to Dr Yount I had seen many doctors and dentists. My first visit with Dr Yount was February. The first visit was not too bad, mostly history and referral to panoramic x-ray.

When I came back for the x-ray report, the diagnosis was overwhelming. I couldn't understand it all, but I got the part about time and expense. I wanted to quit then. But, I continued on and found a physical therapist and BioFeedback therapist who were in my insurance network. Their clinic is in Chapel Hill and required a round trip drive of about 100 miles. Over the next 3+ months, I drove there a couple of times a week at first and finally every 2-3 weeks. I read and re-read the Patient Care Guide.

At first I had a difficult time adjusting to the medications. Again, I wanted to quit, to get my old life back. After about 3 tries, we finally found a combination that worked. I did not have trouble with the appliance. It got loose over time and I just had a refit last week.

During this time, I had disappointments. A massage therapist was too aggressive and I had severe head, neck, and shoulder pain/discomfort. I enrolled at a gym, signed up with a personal trainer who forgot my age and put me through stretches that caused hamstring strain and required an orthopedic doctor visit. I was eating chex mix that got caught sideways in my mouth and caused extreme jaw pain. Brushing my teeth was an issue as I also had a problem with a wisdom tooth. I had to brush when I was fully alert so I wouldn't brush too hard around that tooth or along the masseter muscle. I couldn't eat popcorn, pizza, bagels or anything too hard or non-consistent to chew. I don't believe I had more than a few days at a time without jaw pain for 3+ months. The medication zapped my energy and I couldn't get through a day without a nap. I kept a pain journal.

Finally everything started settling down. Because of the jaw issue I could not have my teeth cleaned for about 10 months. When Dr Yount released me to see Dr Valez it was discovered that I had an infection on the wisdom tooth. The cleaning caused some pain/discomfort but over time it has been resolved.

I'm now on a 4-6 month maintenance plan with Dr. Yount. I'm on a 3-month cleaning plan with Dr Valez where extra care is given to patients with jaw issues. I still have some occasional discomfort, but I have tools to manage these times. Yes, this was hard! Yes, it was worth it!

Chia- Ray Chang

After being a patient of Dr. Yount's for about 3 years and I can confidently say he tremendously helped alleviate my trauma with a severe case of TMJ / TMD / Lockjaw due to stress.

Dr Yount's experience in handling health insurance matters satisfied my concerns as my treatment was not covered. He confidently said he would fight along my side to appeal any health insurance claims that were not to be covered, but should be. This was beneficial as my MRI's expense was about $2000 and initially not covered. Yet, we appealed and my health insurance covered it.

I felt a great working connection with Dr Yount. I felt a mentoring process to understand my current conditions and what lifestyle changes I had to make in order to alleviate them. This eased my nerves as I've heard of many physicians with a know-it-all attitude that do not produce good results. And yes, this means a bit of homework on the patient's end.

Patti Suggs

I first met Dr. Keith Yount when he moved across the hall from the office where I was working. I was thrilled to know he was an orofacial pain expert. As a dental health professional, I was seeking professional help from someone I could trust and someone who would care to help me address my facial pain issues and resolve them. Dr. Yount was pleased to see me as his patient and we began a journey together.

I was introduced to other health professionals who helped me greatly along with Dr. Yount. I underwent physical therapy and also sought treatment from a biofeedback specialist. Additionally, I started taking medication to help the facial muscles relax and make me feel more comfortable. Since I already had a bite guard, Dr. Yount only needed to adjust it for me. In just a few weeks, I started feeling the much prayed for results. Pain was subsiding and I could smile again. Becoming a pleasant person and one who could enjoy life was a goal I strived for and about 3 months into treatment I was almost pain free. Dr. Yount encouraged me to continue following his guidelines for treatment including regular exercise and routine sleep habits.

I'm very happy to report that I've been essentially pain free for about 9 years. I realize stress is a major trigger in my life for pain, so I try to stay attuned to those situations to better take care of myself. Understanding my own body and how I react to stressors was a very important part of my treatment.

I would not be pain free today had it not been for Dr. Yount and his staff. They did, however, continually put the responsibility back on me to follow through with the treatment plan and take the initiative to care for myself.

Jamison Olive

Jamison Olive was only four years old when she began a nightmarish three-year battle with headaches. Her headaches affected her ability to sleep, eat, focus, participate in sports, interact socially and enjoy life. Her mother, Ruth, a physical therapist, was terrified. "It was awful. I see children every day who are suffering from brain tumors and all kinds of traumas to the head. What if my child had something like that? She was in so much pain. I was really scared"

For several years her quest for answers was futile. Doctors subjected Jamison to every test imaginable. In desperation, many of them prescribed pill after pill hoping one would work. "The buck was always being passed. I had a fist-full of prescriptions I never even filled: sedatives, allergy pills, anti-seizure medications, you name it...everyone kept giving me Band-Aid solutions without determining the cause."

At Raleigh Facial Pain Services, we began by talking with the child and getting a complete history and inventory of her symptoms. This helped us determine the type of headache she was experiencing. "The way Dr. Yount interviewed Jamison," said Ruth, "I knew that he was right on. ... She is usually so shy, but she had no reservations opening up to him because he asked her questions that let her know he was understanding her and taking her for her word."

We always include the child in all communication. No matter how complex the problem, we explain it to your child in a way that makes sense. Next we coordinate the treatment team to help reduce every source of inflammation. This team usually consists of RFPS, a pediatrician, physical therapist and biofeedback clinician, but in some cases other professionals may be necessary.

With the help of a splint and physical therapy administered by her mother, Jamison is now headache-free. "She has never once resisted wearing her mouth splint. She is so happy to wake up without a headache that she loves and relies on the splint because she knows it helped get her well." As for Dr. Yount's part in her healing, he says, "It's just great to see her smile."

Mitzi Johnson

"One morning I woke up with a stiff neck, and within two weeks I could no longer turn to back out of my driveway. Within a month I had difficulty eating or sleeping. Within two months, the pain interfered with my work and my life in general. Over the next year, I sought the help of my dentist who made me a latex-like splint -- which seemed to actually make things worse. My physical therapist and internist helped some, but I just couldn't seem to break the cycle.

Finally I was referred to Raleigh Facial Pain Services. The first exam was so comprehensive I felt as though my pain was FINALLY being taken seriously. Dr. Yount created a new splint, prescribed new medications, biofeedback and more physical therapy by someone specially trained to deal with the types of problems I was having. And you know what? Within two months I was virtually pain free. Since then I have told countless people about Raleigh Facial Pain Services. I shudder to think of what my quality of life would be like if I had not gone. I hope that others will try RFPS before their pain gets as bad as mine was."

Marcus Muir

"At the end of a busy period I had headaches, my neck is stiff and my face pain is back for good. [Now] the pain is controlled by sleeping with a mouth splint. I also saw a physical therapist who taught me exercises to stop a lot of the pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulder. They also showed me how to massage my face which provides some relief. ... Without the Facial Pain Clinic, I would be living with false teeth and the same level of pain as before."

Junnie Jordan

"I made an appointment with Dr. Yount. When I went into the office I had no idea of what to expect. I was just happy to be there. Dr. Yount and Sue Intemann began to make me aware of some problems in my facial area and jaw. I felt very comfortable with them. I was given lots of information [about my problems] to take home and read. Dr. Yount made a mouth splint for me that began to make a difference just two nights later. He also prescribed medication for me to help me sleep and relax until I could help myself. By my next appointment I felt much better.

Sue Intemann taught me biofeedback so that I could learn to relax again. ... Jack Keller, a physical therapist with the Center for Creative Healing, also helped by [applying PT techniques to the jaw muscles] that were tight and painful. He also taught me exercises that I could do at home. ... My time with these people is coming to an end. I am now off most of the medication and feel better than I have felt in months. I have never seen a group of people work together as well as these people do. They are all super. I thank them for giving me back control of my body."