Dental Hygiene Tips During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Keeping good oral health during the pandemic is not only important, but a critical message that must be adopted in every community. Read on to discover dental hygiene tips to stay healthy during the pandemic, and for caring for a COVID-19 positive patient. Don't have...
Trigger Point Mapping: Theory & Step-by-Step Technique
What is a trigger point? A trigger point is due to sensitized sensory nerves within a taut band of a muscle that when squeezed generates local and referred pain. The cause of a taut band is a hyperactive motor nerve branch, which generates sustained contraction in the...
How to Support Geriatric Patients with Dementia and COVID-19
This content was originally presented during the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC's 2020 Geriatric Boot Camp. The original presentation can be found below, as well as an adapted write-up of what we covered in our session. Don't have time to read the full...
How to Administer a Gingival Cold Test
This test is utilized when you have a focal, intraoral, probable neuropathic pain disorder involving a branch of the trigeminal nerve with palpable gingival allodynia/hyperalgesia and no obvious, local dental pathology exists such as tooth fractures, periapical...
Post-Amputation Pain Management: New Research & Treatments
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. According to the Amputee Coalition, there are nearly 2 million people in the U.S. who are living with limb loss. What many people who don’t have limb loss may...
How to Perform a TMJ Injection
TMJ injections are performed with corticosteroid and anesthetic to produce a two-fold effect: one reduce inflammation with the corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetonide) and two produce anesthesia or pain relief using lidocaine 2% without epinephrine. ...
How Does Chronic Pain Impact Adolescents in School?
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. Millions of people around the U.S. suffer from chronic pain. Adults have more control over their pain management regarding treatment options, when they feel they need...
How to Measure Orofacial Pain With a Muscle Tenderness Exam
In this article, we review ways to assess muscle tenderness and pain. Common abnormalities of the masticatory muscle include injection induced myositis, myofascial taut band, trigger point, hypertrophy, spasms, etc. Note: Prior to each procedure, introduce...
Does Emotional Approach Coping Ease Chronic Pain?
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. It’s widely understood that those who experience chronic pain have a higher rate of depression. The pain can overtake your life and steal your joy. People often experience a...
How to Perform an Agar Slant Culture Test for Fungal Infections
The Sabouraud Agar Slant Culture test is used when fungal overgrowth of the oral tissues is suspected, and is used to confirm the diagnosis of a fungal infection. Other adjunctive methods for the diagnosis of oral candidiasis include exfoliative cytology using...
Treating Chronic Low Back Pain with Functional Restoration Programs
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. Chronic low back pain is one of the most common pain conditions that keep people from working. Those who suffer from this type of condition experience paraspinal muscle...
Does Manual Therapy Massage Help Women with Fibromyalgia?
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. According to the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, there are 10 million people in America who have fibromyalgia [1]. It’s estimated that around 75-90%...
How to Conduct a Cranial Nerve Examination
The following equipment is required for a Cranial Nerve Examination: Cotton ball Safety pin Pen torch (source of light) Tongue blade Tuning fork (512 Hz) 1.) Olfactory Nerve (I) The olfactory is a sensory nerve, and damage in the nasal epithelium or the basal...
Pain Researchers Help Understand COVID-19 Treatment
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. As COVID-19 continues to make its way around the world, causing death along its destructive path, there are many researchers trying to find answers. Behind the scenes,...
Closed Lock Mobilization: TMJ Exercises & Stretches
In this article, we'll provice step-by-step TMJ exercises and treatments for Dentists and self-mobilization stretches for patients. The main reason why a jaw locks closed is due to a derangement of the TM joint (disk displacement without reduction or DDNR). It is...
Pain Education May Help Patients Manage Chronic Back Pain
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. Millions of people with chronic low back pain understand how it prevents them from enjoying their lives. Many people seek help from doctors and pain management clinics, and...
How to Perform an Occlusal Analysis
Occlusion, simply defined, is how teeth meet when the lower and upper jaw come together. Proper occlusion is necessary for eating, aesthetics, and disease prevention. However, many factors can cause malocclusion including trauma and genetics. Before we...
Relieving Chronic Abdominal Pain with Spinal Cord Stimulation
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. Millions of people around the country suffer from chronic abdominal pain -- discomfort that has lasted for a period of at least six months. Numerous issues that can be the...
TMJ Assessment: Jaw Range of Motion, Noise, and Tenderness
X-ray image showing articular fossa and condyle.For TMJ mobilization procedures read: Closed Lock Mobilization: TMJ Exercises & Stretches. Jaw Range of Motion Assessment Prior to the procedure, introduce yourself to the patient, explain the purpose of the...
Does Self-Compassion Help with Chronic Pain Management?
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. Most people know that having compassion for others is a good thing. But how many people, especially those with chronic pain, have self-compassion? It’s not something most of us...
How to Perform a Salivary Gland and Salivary Flow Exam
In previous articles, Dr. Roseann Mulligan explored Xerostomia, Salivary Gland Hypofunction, the role of saliva in older adults, and the causes of dry mouth including xerogenic medications and systemic diseases. In this article, we'll cover a few practical methods to...
Managing Chronic Pain with a Mind-Body Physical Activity Program
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. Many people around the country suffer from chronic pain. The good news is that there are also many different ways that people can try to manage that pain. ...
How to Perform a Lymph Node Examination
Lymph Node Examination A lymph node evaluation should be included in all new patients as part of the oral cancer triage. Below is a video showing the proper technique and a written explanation of what is expected from dentists when performing a lymph node and...
New Injection Techniques for Treating Chronic Foot Pain
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer. There is a good chance that everyone knows someone who suffers from ongoing foot pain. Millions of people have chronic foot pain, making it difficult for them to enjoy...