Treatments for TMJD-Related Headaches

TMJD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a problem with the temporomandibular joint of the jaw. This joint allows your jaw to move up, down, left, and right so that you can talk and chew. However, the TMJ can be affected by trauma, stress, or hormonal changes which can cause pain in chewing food, swelling around the jaw, difficulty opening and closing the jaw, and painful headaches. Dr. Matthew Milestone and the Migraine Center of NJ team have years of experience treating their patients’ TMJ-related headaches near Caldwell, NJ, and can help you find relief!

Symptoms

A recent University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine study found that TMJD-related headaches are frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches. However, by tracking your symptoms, Dr. Matthew Milestone can address the correct cause, and find a lasting solution more quickly. Some symptoms include:

• A crackling or grinding sound during jaw movement
• Earaches
• Facial pain and tenderness
• Joint stiffness, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth

However, one of our friends at Migraine Center of NJ mentions that it is unlikely that headaches originating from issues with the TMJ would cause symptoms that headaches and migraines share, such as fatigue, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Treatment Options

In treating your TMJ problem, Dr. Matthew Milestone has several solutions at his disposal:

Often times, TMJ headaches can be treated at home. Ice packs, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and massaging or stretching the neck and jaw are all proven methods to reduce the pain from headaches. However, Dr. Matthew Milestone says that if your condition does not improve with these techniques, then you may need to seek medical treatment. Some methods that medical professionals use are Botox injections, dental splints, prescription medications, physical therapy, and in severe cases, surgery.

Treatment with TruDenta

Nowadays, there is a new treatment option for TMJD-related headaches: the TruDenta system. TruDenta is a non-invasive, no injection, and no medication headache treatment that creates a lasting resolution of TMJ symptoms. Dr. Matthew Milestone says that TruDenta uses Bite Force and Range of Motion Analyses, along with state of the art ultrasound, cold laser, microcurrent, and trigger point manipulation techniques that are proven to cure headaches and TMJD.

If you’ve been experiencing painful headaches, and believe that they are a result of an issue with the temporomandibular joint, don’t wait; seek help immediately from a medical professional like Dr. Matthew Milestone. He and the Migraine Center of NJ team have the means to help you through professional headache relief treatments. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Milestone and The Migraine Center of NJ team near Caldwell, NJ, feel free to call 973-325-1777. They would be happy to help you!

There are several causes of headaches in our everyday lives. Headaches are annoying and painful, but how can you prevent them? Well, Dr. Matthew Milestone and our friends at The Migraine Center of New Jersey have a few examples of what cause everyday headaches, and how you can work on your everyday lifestyle in order to avoid them. If you’re looking to prevent your headaches in Paramus, NJ, then Dr. Matthew Milestone is here to help!

• Anxiety: Anybody classified with an anxiety disorder will be able to describe headaches brought on by their anxiety; whether they are moderate or severe. Headaches are a good indicator of an anxiety disorder, and chronic headaches can limit the functioning of an individual diagnosed. However, Dr. Matthew Milestone says that it’s possible to manage anxiety in a healthy way, and therefore manage and limit your headaches. A doctor may opt to prescribe medications effective for an anxiety disorder, such as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). However, these medications can be used to treat an anxiety disorder alone, and your doctor will closely monitor any side effects to ensure that your treatment is working effectively.

• Light and Glare: Many sufferers of migraines commonly describe being sensitive to light or glare and that they bring on the symptoms of headaches. Bright lights, computer screens, or the blinding light from the sun on your commute to or from work are all listed causes that can bring on an extremely painful headache. But what are some paths to take to avoid these triggers? Well, one of our friends at The Migraine Center of New Jersey mentions that you could turn down the brightness setting on your computer monitor, or purchase a glare overlay for your screen to tone the light down. You could also wear polarized sunglasses outdoors to reduce the amount of light that your eyes take in during your drive or on snowy days (as light bounces off of snow, making it hard to see). A recent study in children found that blue wavelengths of light were very taxing on the eyes, and so a tinting of contact or prescription lenses may be helpful.

• Noise: Dr. Matthew Milestone says that approximately 75% of those with migraines count sounds as a trigger. Unfortunately, loud, high-decibel sounds around us are hard to avoid. Sound sensitivity may be experienced in that loud or quiet noises can cause the perception of sound to amplify or seem louder, increase headache pain, or a serious migraine can cause an individual to temporarily lose their sense of hearing.

• Exercise: Some find that exercise or strenuous activity will bring on a painful headache. One The Migraine Center of New Jersey team member mentions that some activities that are associated with exercise headaches are weightlifting, rowing, swimming, running, and playing tennis. Primary exercise headaches are usually harmless, and can be prevented with medication, but secondary exercise headaches are caused by a serious underlying problem with the brain. They may require emergency medical attention as some examples of secondary headaches include bleeding or a tumor in the brain, or coronary heart disease.

• Food: By tracking headaches through the day based on meals, you may be able to pinpoint certain aspects of your diet that might cause headaches. However, foods might not be the cause; fasting, dehydration, or skipping meals can trigger headaches in many individuals. Dr. Matthew Milestone says that some of the most common foods, beverages, and additives that can induce headaches include aged cheeses (like brie, parmesan, and swiss), alcoholic beverages (beer, scotch, or red wine), nitrates and nitrites (that are additives in hot dogs, bacon, and pepperoni), and caffeine found in sodas and coffee.

If you experience one or few of these triggers in your everyday life, then a painful headache or migraine might be inevitable. If you’d like more tips on how to avoid headaches in Paramus, NJ, or are seeking treatment for frequent headaches, then look no further than Dr. Matthew Milestone! He and the professional staff at The Migraine Center of New Jersey would be happy to help you. Feel free to call 201.845.8411 for any questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment today!

A migraine is a headache disorder characterized by recurrent headaches that are moderate to severe. They usually only affect one side of the head, feel as if they pulsate and can last from two to 72 hours. These painful headaches are debilitating and can get in the way of work, physical activity, or relaxation. But how can you reduce the pain and stress from your migraines? Dr. Matthew Milestone and our friends at The Migraine Center of New Jersey have a few methods for you to try to cure migraines holistically near Passaic, NJ.

Herbs

Two herbs that can ease the pain of migraines are feverfew and butterbur. Research shows that feverfew consumption reduces migraine frequency and headache symptoms and a review of six studies reveals that feverfew is effective in migraine prevention and poses no major safety concerns. Dr. Matthew Milestone says that butterbur is similar to feverfew, but i it reduces inflammation and regulates blood flow to the brain. One study performed over four months showed that consumption of 75 milligrams of butterbur twice a day actually reduced migraine frequency by 48 percent.

Stay Hydrated

Sugary drinks, coffee, and alcohol are all beverages that can actually dehydrate your body and leave you with a painful headache. Water itself can relieve symptoms and pain from headaches, and staying hydrated will ensure less instances of a migraine. It’s even possible to stay hydrated by eating fruits and vegetables like cauliflower, cucumber, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, and oranges, which can contain a water content over 90 percent. One of our friends at The Migraine Center of New Jersey mentions that the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery concluded that there is a water deprivation headache and that a lack of water can cause irritability and a lack of concentration.

Peppermint and Lavender Oils

Peppermint oil is known for its lasting cooling effect on the skin, ability to stimulate blood flow in the forehead when applied topically and its ability to stop muscle contractions. Dr. Matthew Milestone mentions a study done in 1996 that revealed peppermint oil’s effectiveness in alleviating tension headaches and that it should be applied to the forehead 15-to-30 minutes after the start of a headache to experience significant relief. Lavender oil has been proven to be a reliever of pain in the nervous system  like migraines, and a 2012 study published in European Neurology found it to be effective and safe in migraine management.

TMJ/TMD Treatment

Migraines are a symptom of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and can be relieved through treatment from a medical professional like a dentist or orthodontist. However, the migraines experienced from this disorder are actually caused by the temporomandibular joint which allows your jaw to move. Dr. Matthew Milestone treats his TMD patients with the new TruDenta system, which is non-invasive and drug-free. This treatment involves gentle pain-relief technologies like microcurrent, ultrasound, and cold-laser therapies to ease the pain in your temporomandibular joint and treat symptoms of TMD like migraines.

Using these methods, it’s possible to alleviate pain and stop migraines! If you’re seeking a doctor who can treat your migraines holistically, then Dr. Matthew Milestone is here for you! Feel free to call 201.845.8411, and any of our friends at The Migraine Center of New Jersey near Passaic, NJ would be happy to help you with any questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Milestone.

Adults, children, men, women; everybody gets a headache at some point in time regardless of age or gender. However, there are actually some differences in the types of headaches that we experience. Dr. Matthew Milestone of The Migraine Center of New Jersey says that headaches are actually classified by their causes, and are divided into two different types: Primary and Secondary. Today, Dr. Matthew Milestone is here to help you diagnose your problem if you’re experiencing headaches near Ridgewood, NJ.

Primary Headaches

Primary headaches are caused by the overactivity of pain sensitive structures in your head. Fortunately, primary headaches aren’t a symptom of an underlying disease. The nerves and blood vessels around your skull, chemical activity in the brain, or the muscles of the head and neck play a major role in this classification. Dr. Matthew Milestone says that they can be triggered by certain lifestyle factors like poor posture, skipping meals, drinking alcohol, stress, or changes in your sleep schedule.

Common Primary Headaches

• Migraines
• Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgia (TAC)
• Cluster Headaches
• Tension Headaches
• Chronic Daily Headaches
• Cough Headaches
• Exercise Headaches

Secondary Headaches

Secondary headaches are symptoms of a disease that can activate pain sensitive nerves in the head. There are a number of conditions that can cause these kinds of headaches. For example, one Migraine Center of New Jersey associate mentions that aneurysms, strokes, tumors, ear infections, dental problems, or hypertension (high blood pressure) can all be causes of secondary headaches.

Common Secondary Headaches

• Rebound Headaches
• Sinus Headaches
• Thunderclap Headaches
• External Compression Headaches
• Spinal Headaches

All of these types of headaches can point to either a disease, disorder, problem in the nerves of your head, or lifestyle changes that may need to be made. If you’re experiencing frequent headaches and are looking for a diagnosis, then Dr. Matthew Milestone can help! Feel free to call 201.845.8411 and any of the associates at The Migraine Center of New Jersey near Ridgewood, NJ would be happy to schedule an appointment for you with Dr. Matthew Milestone.

Migraines are defined as recurring primary headaches that are moderate to severe. Frequently, migraines affect only one side of the head, feel as if they pulsate, and can last anywhere from two to 72 hours. Some symptoms include sensitivity to sound, smell, and light, vomiting, and nausea. Up to one-third of migraine sufferers experience an aura, or a short period of visual disturbance that signals that a headache will soon follow. But what can you do about these painful headaches? Well, Dr. Matthew Milestone and the team at The Migraine Center of New Jersey are experts in their field, and are here to help you relieve your migraines near West Orange, NJ.

Ice Packs

Since 1849, cold therapy has been used as a method to treat migraines and strong headaches. Dr. Matthew Milestone says that a recent study of 100 migraine sufferers found that 75 percent felt relief through cold therapy with ice packs. Cold therapy is cited as the most common relief method used to treat migraines and headaches, and even sources like the Mayo Clinic and National Headache Foundation recommend cold compresses and ice packs alongside their recommendations to soothe migraine symptoms.

Fish Oil

In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Survey found that 12 percent of the 30,000 people polled have tried fish oil or omega fatty acids. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are also found in seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils. One of our friends at The Migraine Center of New Jersey mentions that studies on omega-3s show that they help reduce inflammation and blood clotting, lower blood pressure, and steady the heartbeat. These effects, mainly the reduction in inflammation, have been found to be helpful in reducing the pain and other symptoms of migraines.

Drink More Water

One easy step that can help lower your risk for a migraine is to drink more water and stay hydrated! Dr. Matthew Milestone says that dehydration will cause your blood volume to drop, which results in a smaller flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. To stay hydrated, men should drink around 13 cups per day, while it’s recommended that women drink about nine.

Triptans

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, triptans have been found to be effective in use for treatment of moderate to severe migraines. They are a class of medication that is categorized as “acute,” meaning that they are designed to stop a migraine after it begins. They also alleviate the symptoms of migraines like nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and pain. Dr. Matthew Milestone says that triptans work by stimulating serotonin (a brain neurotransmitter) to reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels, stopping the migraine.

Exercise

Migraine triggers vary; and though some say that exercise can bring on a serious headache, others find that a regular exercise routine actually reduces the frequency and pain. One The Migraine Center of New Jersey associate indicates that numerous studies have been performed that show that a regular exercise routine is effective in decreasing migraine occurrence and intensity. However, the National Headache Foundation recommends a warm-up period before exercise, staying hydrated throughout your routine, and avoiding headache triggers like changes in weather or temperature.

By using any of these five methods, it’s possible for you to relieve or avoid a migraine. If you’re experiencing painful migraines or headaches near West Orange, NJ, then Dr. Matthew Milestone is here to help! You can call any of our experienced The Migraine Center of New Jersey staff at 201.845.8411 for any questions, concerns, or to make an appointment with Dr. Matthew Milestone today!