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Regenerative Medicine & Pain Management

Pain Management

“Acute and Chronic pain are very real conditions that affects over a 100 million Americans and their families every day. “


Pain can be acute or chronic in both situations and can be devastating for both the patient and their loved ones. Pain is real. We are here to help you navigate the maze of healthcare challenges. We use an integrated medical approach for our patients to successfully receive the answers and direction you need to thrive again. Understanding from a personal and professional perspective, Dr. Liza Leal knows firsthand about life-changing pain. She was diagnosed with potentially career ending rheumatoid arthritis at the age of twenty-three finishing medical school in a wheelchair. She understands the struggles and the successes of managing and defeating chronic pain. She now walks, rides her bike, and thrives with an amazing quality of life enjoying outdoor activities and sports. Her greatest joy is keeping up with her four-legged fur child and two-legged grandchildren. and now lives an abundant life and walks without pain.

Read her journey firsthand CLICK HERE.


These are some of the conditions we regularly address with pain management.

Migraine Information

Headaches can have both medical and dental causes, with the most common dental-related trigger being issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which can lead to muscle tension in the jaw, causing headaches around the temples and face, often due to teeth grinding (bruxism) or misaligned bite; other dental causes include tooth infections, cavities, and gum disease which can radiate pain to the head via the trigeminal nerve, potentially triggering headaches or migraines. 

Common symptoms:

  • Pain around the jaw or temples: Headaches that are localized to the jaw area are more likely to be dental in origin. 

  • Pain when chewing: If you experience pain while biting down, it could indicate a dental issue causing your headache. 

  • Facial tenderness: Tenderness in the face or jaw muscles can be a sign of TMJ problems. 

  • Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw: These sounds can also be associated with TMJ dysfunction. 

What to do if you suspect a dental cause for your headaches:

  • Visit your medical/dental facility at Meridian:

    They can examine your teeth and jaw alignment, and may recommend treatments like mouthguards for teeth grinding or adjustments to your bite. 

  • Discuss your symptoms with your doctor:

    If your headaches are frequent or severe, talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. 

Medical causes of headaches:

  • Stress and tension: This is a very common trigger for tension headaches, often felt as tightness in the head and neck. 

  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to headaches. 

  • Sleep deprivation: Lack of sleep or inconsistent sleep patterns can contribute to headaches. 

  • Hormonal changes: Women may experience headaches around their menstrual cycle due to fluctuating hormone levels. 

  • High blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure can sometimes cause headaches. 

  • Migraines: These are severe headaches that often come with additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. 

  • Sinusitis: Inflammation in the sinus cavities can lead to sinus headaches. 

  • Eye strain: Excessive screen time or focusing issues can contribute to headaches. 

Dental causes of headaches:

  • TMJ dysfunction

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Misalignment of the jaw joint, often caused by teeth grinding or clenching, can lead to significant jaw pain and headaches. 

  • Tooth infections:

  • Untreated cavities or abscesses can cause inflammation and pain that radiates to the head, leading to headaches. 

  • Malocclusion (bad bite):

  • Improper alignment of teeth can put strain on the jaw muscles, contributing to headaches. 

  • Recent dental procedures:

  • Sometimes, procedures like fillings or extractions can cause temporary jaw pain and headaches. 

  • Bruxism (teeth grinding):

  • Grinding your teeth, especially during sleep, can put stress on the jaw muscles and trigger headaches. 

How to identify if your headache is dental related:

  • Pain around the jaw or temples: Headaches that are localized to the jaw area are more likely to be dental in origin. 

  • Pain when chewing: If you experience pain while biting down, it could indicate a dental issue causing your headache. 

  • Facial tenderness: Tenderness in the face or jaw muscles can be a sign of TMJ problems. 

  • Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw: These sounds can also be associated with TMJ dysfunction. 

 

Headaches have a medical and dental component, at Meridian we are here to take the very best care of you with solutions. We want you to expect a difference.

Common Conditions
Treated for Pain Management

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • Autoimmune Diseases

  • Cancer 

  • Chronic Abdominal Pain

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain 

  • Connective Tissue Disorders

  • Facial Pain

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Lupus

  • Migraine Headaches

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Soft Tissue Pain

  • Spinal Stenosis

  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

  • Long Covid Syndrome

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