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What Exactly is TMJ?

Temporomandibular Joint Pain

Temporomandibular Joint, or TMJ is not a condition; it is a term used to refer to a joint around the jaw. Symptoms of TMJ Disorder include pain in the jaw and surrounding areas; limited ability to open your mouth and snapping noises when you move your jaw. Other symptoms include numbness of the jaw and temporal area. Some of the causes of TMJ include stress (grinding the teeth), direct trauma, or bad diet habits like chewing on one side a lot.

Studies have found that many TMJ disorder sufferers can get relief through acupuncture and acupressure.

There have been a number of studies validating the efficacy of acupuncture in treating dental pain. One review (The Use of Acupuncture in Dentistry: a Systematic Review, P. Rosted, MD, The Medical Acupuncture Webpage) evaluated 15 studies. Eleven of the 15 studies found acupuncture to be effective. Of these, 7 involved acupuncture analgesia, 4 involved the treatment of facial pain and TMJ Disorders. The author noted that 11 of the fifteen studies showed acupuncture to be more effective than placebo, non-standard (sham) acupuncture, or that it was able to produce better or similar results to an accepted treatment procedure.

Very fine and thin needles are inserted on traditional acupuncture points around the jaw, between the ear and mandible. Some needles may be threaded near or along the joint line. Electrical stimulation is usually employed to cause a more sustained analgesic effect by allowing very tight muscles to fatigue and eventually relax and release their grip on surrounding nerve bundles.

To make the treatments even more effective, techniques in manual therapy are employed. These consist of joint mobilization and soft tissue work to resolve an alignment problem around the jaw that makes surrounding muscles tight enough to irritate nerves.

The combination of the acupuncture and physical or manual therapy is so effective that it does not only provide symptomatic relief but also resolves the root or underlying mechanical problem.

Dr. Ramon Gutierrez at ARC

Lammi Lambert, A.P., F.A.B.O.R.M.

Lammi Lambert A.P., F.A.B.O.R.M., has had a lifelong passion for herbs and herbal medicines, which is what led her to a career in acupuncture. She graduated from the Florida College of Integrative Medicine in 2007 and has gone on to study many different techniques and acupuncture styles in the treatment of pain. After assisting in a home birth, she decided to broaden her knowledge of women’s health and infertility and in 2015 became certified through the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine. She has been honored to help many couples achieve their goal of having children.

Lammi is very excited to join the team at ARC, where she hopes to continue to learn and grow while working with the talented doctors and therapists there. She is an excellent addition on our staff of incredible physicians.

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Ayako Sagayama, A.P..D.O.M.

Ayako Sagayama graduated from Morinomiya College of Medical Arts and sciences with A.A. degrees in Acupuncture and Moxibustion(2007) and Judo Therapy(2011). Ayako worked as a licensed acupuncturist in Japan for 10 years in orthopedic clinics before coming to the United States where she continued her education to gain a B.S. in Professional Health Studies and a M.A. of Oriental Medicine at Florida College of Integrative Medicine. She has had training in Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and attends workshops in sports medicine and strength training through USF. Ayako always strives to gain more knowledge in her field even after her many years of studying.

Ayako currently works with ARC as a staff acupuncturist. Specializing in acupuncture for Orthopedics, Pain Management and Sports Medicine; Ayako is able to treat our patients with a technique that follows Japanese style acupuncture. She is passionate about using her abilities by combining Oriental and Western medicines to help our patients achieve not only freedom from pain, but overall health.

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Tyler Hurt, A.P.

Tyler Hurt graduated from Florida College of Integrative Medicine (Magna cum Laude) in June of 2018. He is a certified diplomat of Oriental Medicine by the NCCAOM and board certified acupuncturist in the state of Florida. Tyler is educated in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and food therapy. He uses all of these techniques to assist his patients in reaching maximum pain relief and help them to live a healthier lifestyle.

Tyler chose his career as an acupuncturist because he had direct experience of eastern medicine in his youth; he saw what it did for him and his family’s health and knew he wanted to help others the same way, which is what led him to study eastern philosophy and integrative medicine which is now his passion.

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Meng Hsuan “Tiffany” Ho, D.P.T.

Meng Hsuan “Tiffany” Ho received her doctorate of physical therapy from Loma Linda University, California; she is a certified physical therapist in Florida and Colorado. Dr. Ho’s passion is patient education, she ensures that her patient understand the treatment and have the tools to help themselves recover. Specializing in Orthopedic disease and neurological disorders Dr. Ho brings incredible skill to the ARC team, her expertise will help our patients heal from chronic pain and live better.

ARC Welcomes Dr. Ho as a valued member of our team. Dr. Ho views the body as whole when forming treatment plans and wishes to improve the quality of life of all her patients. Utilizing her experience with the techniques of Dr. Wang will help our patients find long last relief from chronic pain and maintain bodily function while aging.

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Wei-Hsin “Jenny” Lin

Wei-Hsin “Jenny” Lin, received her doctorate degree in physical therapy at Loma Linda University. She is a certified Physical Therapist in both Maryland and Florida. Dr. Lin has spent many years studying her field and has apprenticed in the fields of orthopedic, pediatric, neurologic, and cardiopulmonary under both the hospital and outpatient setting. In addition to being a certified physical therapist she is also a certified Redcord® suspension training practitioner and kinesio taping practitioner which focuses on human body anatomy and kinesiology. Dr. Lin treats the body as a whole to find and eliminate the root cause of pain.

As a physical therapist within ARC’s skilled team, Dr. Lin integrates her own experience with Dr. Wang’s technique to resolve each patient’s individual problem and create treatment plans that build long lasting effects. Using the combination of our treatments she strives to help each of our patients live pain free!

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Pei-wen ‘Becky’ Liao, A.P., D.O.M., P.T., D.P.T.

Pei-wen “Becky” Liao graduated from National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan with her Master’s degree in Physical therapy; continuing on to get her D.P.T. degree at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania. After gaining her D.P.T. she went on to graduate from Florida College of Integrative Medicine where she went on to obtain the NCCAOM certification of D.O.M. and Acupuncturist license of Florida. She now works with us at ARC as a staff acupuncturist and physical therapist.

Pei-wen has spent many years studying and is familiar with Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture and Muscular Skeletal conditions. Using her extensive knowledge of Muscular Skeletal conditions and Acupuncture she is able to provide each patient with an individualized approach to lasting pain relief.

Pei-wen is currently one of our staff acupuncturists and physical therapists at ARC and is the Clinic Manager in our Leesburg & Mt. Dora Beach Location. She wishes to further her career life in the USA by learning Dr.Wang’s technique so she can integrate her knowledge of Oriental and Western Medicine to help her patients gain freedom from pain.

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Peichi “Peggy” Yen, D.O.M., A.P.

Peichi “Peggy” Yen graduated from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Masters degree and is a certified physician of TCM in China. In the United States, she has obtained the NCCAOM certification of DOM and Acupuncturist license of Florida. She has spent many years studying and is familiar with Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, Tui-Na, food therapy and Herbology.

Peggy is excited furthering her career with learning knowledge of physical therapy and Dr. Wang’s technique, so she can integrate her knowledge of Oriental and Western Medicine to resolve patient’s problems.

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