Vitamin D Levels May Affect Chronic Neuromuscular Pain
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. Many people suffer from what is referred to as non-specific neuromuscular pain. They are in pain but can’t pinpoint a specific...
Minor Salivary Gland Biopsy for Diagnosing Sjogren’s Syndrome
Minor Salivary Gland (MSG) Biopsy Minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsy of the lower lip mucosa is used to confirm the diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome. Sjogren’s is a chronic autoimmune disorder involving the destruction of glandular tissue. Sjögren's syndrome can cause...
How to Conduct an Oral Cavity Punch Biopsy
What is a punch biopsy? An oral cavity punch biopsy is considered the primary technique to obtain diagnostic, full thickness skin specimens. It is performed using a circular blade or trephine attached to a pencil-like handle. The instrument is rotated down through...
How to Perform an Oral Biopsy
A biopsy is defined as the sampling or removal of tissues or liquids from the body for examination, in order to determine the existence or cause of a disease. A biopsy is strongly recommended for most of the lesions that persist for more than two weeks which...
An Intersectional Approach to Treating Chronic Pain
The medical records of chronic pain patients generally identify patient demographics including race, age, gender, or employment. Sometimes, the patient’s gender orientation status is also included. Except for racial/ethnic-specific reference intervals for laboratory...
COVID-19’s Impact on Homeless Populations in Los Angeles
As COVID-19 continues to threaten communities across the world, the homeless population is facing a "crisis in a crisis." Below is a presentation I've put together on the state of homelessness in Los Angeles, the impact COVID-19 has had on this population, and a few...
COVID-19’s Impact on Nursing Home Residents
Today we're talking about COVID-19's impact on nursing home residents that goes beyond what you might have heard in the news. Please find the recorded lecture, the PowerPoint presentation, and a formatted transcription of the lecture below. Don't have time to read...
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, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. According to the Amputee Coalition, there are nearly 2 million people in the U.S. who are living with limb loss. What many people...
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. Corticosteriod is...
How Does Chronic Pain Impact Adolescents in School?
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. Millions of people around the U.S. suffer from chronic pain. Adults have more control over their pain management regarding...
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 yourself...
Does Emotional Approach Coping Ease Chronic Pain?
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. It’s widely understood that those who experience chronic pain have a higher rate of depression. The pain can overtake your life...
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, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. Chronic low back pain is one of the most common pain conditions that keep people from working. Those who suffer from this type of...
Does Manual Therapy Massage Help Women with Fibromyalgia?
This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. According to the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, there are 10 million people in America who have...
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, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. As COVID-19 continues to make its way around the world, causing death along its destructive path, there are many researchers...
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, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate. Millions of people with chronic low back pain understand how it prevents them from enjoying their lives. Many people seek help...
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 cover the...