I've been seeing Arlyn for the past 10 years for my chronic jaw disorder (TMD). As Terry B. commented, sometimes you do "wait" 20 minutes, but they're not just trying to stall! I've always considered it an intentional time getting heat therapy on my upper back, neck, and face. It instantly soothes my pain, and it's not bad lying there with lights out (they ask you what you prefer) I've always thought of it as my therapeutic adult nap time, and who doesn't want that at the end of the workday?! And besides, I've waited an hour for my doctor on more than one occasion, but if it's a rare health professional who gives you their full attention, explains what's going on, and answers all your questions, IT'S WORTH IT. I consider these fields as those that require us patients to have patience because how can a health professional know EXACTLY how long it will take to assist their patients when many are just getting their diagnosis that day?
Anyway, rant over. About Arlyn. He was recommended strongly to me by the UCSF Center for Orofacial Pain. He teaches dental and med students on a regular basis about the intricate, uncharted territory of TMD and TMJ. He worked AT UCSF and was a pioneer of jaw specialty and their Center for Orofacial Pain. He doesn't just have tons of patients because he's been in the area since the 70's as one reviewer suggested.
Before starting physical therapy, I was in a horrible amount of pain every day (8 on scale of 1-10), on muscle relaxors and anti-inflammitories. My condition was bad when I started, and now I live most days pain-free, and I rarely take medication. I've learned so much from Arlyn about how to manage and treat my pain disorder that when a flare up starts, I can now treat it on my own. Only when I try and cannot fix it, have I been instructed to schedule an appointment with him. I now only see him about once every three+ months for those rougher flare-ups.
The experts on the jaw are few and far between. I am blessed to live in the SF Bay Area where I can get world-class treatment, first from UCSF's Center for Orofacial Pain, and ever since from Arlyn's care and expertise. I'm concerned about what to do when he retires!
So really, who cares if the office's decor isn't all crazy modernized!? The treatment is, and if anything the office can be described as "homey", which I'll take any day over cool, sleek, and modern. And to whomever is critical of something as superficial as decor, you don't give a crap about that when you're in real pain, which, thankfully I now rarely have, thanks to the the people at Ygnacio Valley Physical Therapy.
OK, patient out!
btw, I didn't even plan to write this. I came across his reviews while looking up the fax number, and I had to set everyone straight. :D
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