For over 20 years I suffered with TMJ (jaw) and trigeminal neuralgia pain that often was…read moredebilitating to the point where it was excruciating to speak or to chew my food, and sometimes even just to breathe. I was relying heavily on pain meds for many years to ease the sharp and biting pain that would radiate along the side of my face. Things gradually continued to get worse over the years and I was desperate for help.
I came to see Dr. Chiu after having tried many doctors over the years without success: Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, my PCP, Neurologists, TMJ specialists, Massage therapists, Chinese medicine Doctors, etc. My expectation for him to help me was very low after seeing so many doctors and trying so many treatments that I only saw him without much else to lose.
After my first visit with him, Dr. Chiu gave me hope! He explained to me that there was severe inflammation and nerve damage in my skull and neck that was creating the pain over my TMJ and producing the trigeminal neuralgia. His focus was to do treatment to diminish the inflammation and restore normal nerve activity to the area of nerve damage.
He was very confident that he could help me not only relieve my terrible pain, but also resolve the problem! I was cautiously optimistic of course, but after a few treatments, I was able to open my mouth significantly wider than before with less pain! It took about 6 weeks of treatment for my jaw to open all the way with very little pain. Over the years I got used to opening my mouth about halfway open with a lot of jaw pain so my range of motion was very poor. This time, I could open it all the way for the first time in decades and with minimal pain!
After further treatment for a few more weeks, my TMJ and trigeminal neuralgia had completely resolved! From that point on, I could eat without worrying about jaw pain on each bite of food, I could converse normally without struggling with jaw pain, and it just felt like I was freed from this chronic debilitating problem that was a huge stress in my life for so long. I never thought this could ever happen for me!
Dr. Chiu's ability to diagnose this neurological condition of mine and to provide the effective treatment for it has been life-changing for me to say the least! I am forever grateful for his medical knowledge, experience, skill, and warm-heart behind it all.
If you are struggling with chronic pain, TMJ problems, headaches, or any joint problems that are not going away, please give Dr. Chiu the opportunity to help you. I'm sure you wont be disappointed!