Medical literature reveals that orofacial pain is a product of pain receptors that extend from the neck and facial region into the subnucleus of the brain that also houses important cranial nerves. Due to the close relationship of these pain receptors in the facial region and neck, it is evident that pain and impairments at the cervical region can affect the facial region. With this in mind, it is imperative that those patients dealing with pain in the facial region or TMD are evaluated and treated with a well-rounded approach with careful consideration of the upper spine.

Poor upper body positioning is also closely related to pain of the jaw and upper spine. Faulty mechanical positioning of the jaw causes increased stress and trigger points in the muscles that are responsible for movements of the jaw. These trigger points or areas of tightness can cause referred pain into the facial region and can also lead to associated headaches. Research shows that patients with headaches present with a more forward head posture as well as poor strength and endurance of the deep neck flexor musculature.

Physical therapy treatment, with the use of manual therapy, has been shown to provide relief of TMD and associated facial pain. Though injections to the affected tissue and joints have been shown to help, they cannot change the biomechanical problems related to poor posture and muscle impairments. Research supports that 90% of patients have relief from conservative manual based physical therapy.

At PT Solutions, we first provide a careful assessment of the musculature and joints involved in the jaw and neck. We implement effective treatment including joint mobilization, myofascial techniques, dry needling and therapeutic exercises to help improve overall posture of the upper body. PT Solutions therapist are trained and certified in Dry Needling. Dry needling assists in disrupting the release of intracellular potassium and can play an important role in reducing muscle spasm and trigger point in the involved musculature. Overall, in conjunction with a dentist, PT Solutions physical therapy has been successful in the treatment of TMD and orofacial pain.

This article was featured in the Douglas County Sentinel.

Here are results from the event:
Overall Results
Age Group Results 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pu7S4ApaGM

PT Solutions has been involved with the PT Solutions Acworth Womens race for a number of years and now we are proud to announce that men and women will be racing in Acworth on June 5, 2011.  The PT Solutions Allatoona Triathlon will feature the 500m swim in Lake Allatoona, a fast bike course through Acworth and northern Cobb and through Bartow counties, and the 5k run to end the race which finishes in Dallas, Landing Acworth, GA.  We look forward to men and women racing on Lake Allatoona.  Both of the races are part of the PT Solutions Race Series and participants will qualify for the Male and Female Athlete of the Year Awards.  To register for the PT Solutions Allatoona Triathlon please visit:  http://ptssports.com/pt-solutions-allatoona-triathalon/

Dr. Stehen Enguidanos

Dr. Stephen Enquidanos has watched and helped patients overcome long odds as an Orthopedic spine surgeon for many years.  In April of 2009, Dr. Enguidanos overcame his own set of circumstances to  move toward his dream.  The dream was qualifying as one of the best triathletes in his age group for the Kona, Hawaii Ironman World Championships.  There was a problem along the way.  First, he had to overcome  a torn anterior cruciate ligament and surgery.   More importantly he had to overcome the rehabilitation.  PT Solutions Physical Therapist in Niceville, FL Scott Rusin, PT directed the rehab program.  He notes, “Quite often we work with patients and they have simple goals after surgery such as, let me play with my children or go back to work.  Not Dr. Enguidanos, he wanted to complete in an Ironman triathlon shortly after the surgery.”

Most patients would report that post ACL surgery is long and hard.  Scott Rusin, PT notes, “that his patient this go around worked harder and longer than most.” Scott notes,  “Dr. Enguidanos would not only perform the standard program but spent months and hours on a stationary bike since in the early stages of rehab you can not return to running.”  In between his own long surgeries and difficult work schedule, Dr. Enguidanos spent many hours in the PT Solutions Niceville clinic at Twin Cities Hospital.

So by November of 2009, the patient had returned to athlete again and he was at the starting line at Ironman Florida in Panama City, FL.  He made it through the race with very little run training due to the knee and minimal bike training on the roads.  In fact, most of his bike training for the Ironman was on a stationary bike indoors.  He only acquired a triathlon equipped bike just prior to the race.  In 2009 Ironman Florida, he accomplished his first goal of finishing his first Ironman triathlon in a time of 11 hours 22 minutes and finished 103 out of 403 in his age group.   Pretty impressive for anyone to complete the race but to perform this well after an ACL surgery 7 months earlier.

Dr. Enguidanos was not satisfied yet and he entered the Louisville, Kentucky Ironman in August of 2010.  There he overcome stomach issues on the way to completing his second Ironman triathlon to finish with a time of 12:07.  Definitely not the time he wanted or the day he wanted to experience.  He was not done there however.

He returned back to Panama City, FL in November of 2010 for the cold and chilly 30 degree day for Ironman Florida.  Through guidance from PT Solutions and a whole lot of heart, he was prepared for this day.  To qualify for the World Championships he had to finish in the top 5% of his age group.  After nearly two years of overcoming obstacles he overcame even more on this day.  He threw down an overall time of 9 hours 38 minutes.  His time was comprised of a 56 minute 2.4 mile swim, 4 hours 58 minute 112 mile bike ride, and the knee did not seem to bother him this day with a 3 hour 34 minute Ironman marathon.  Dr. Enguidanos finished 5th in his age group in a very strong European dominated field.  He achieved his dream and qualified for the 2011 Ironman World Championships.  Congratulations Steve and we look forward to watching next year.  Thanks for being a part of team PT Solutions.

You can watch coverage of the 2010 Ironman World Championships December 18th on NBC from 4pm to 6pm eastern time.

The program will continue again in the spring.  Interested Mt. Paran parents or students may contact Dr. Emily Yake the director of the program at  eyake@pt-solutions.us or 678-501-6300.  The Mt. Paran faculty sponsor is cross country coach Dr. Mike Tenoschok.

PT Solutions Physical Therapy is a physical therapist owned private practice based in Atlanta with clinics in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Our practice is dedicated to helping restore patients to an active lifestyle. We also sponsor both triathletes, running athletes to fuel the multisport lifestyle. Our practice offers coaching, race directing and assistance with athletes at all levels in these sports. For further information about PT Solutions endurance programs contact us at endurancesports@pt-solutions.us.