Conditions Dr. Hirschinger Treats

Dr. Hirschinger specializes in diagnosing and treating acute and chronic pain and dysfunction in the head, face, neck, and airways. Below are the primary categories of conditions he manages with evidence-based, conservative, and reversible methods.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and Muscle Pain

“TMJ” pain is a general term but often the true source is the muscles controlling the jaw rather than the joint itself.
Dr. Hirschinger evaluates:

  • Joint function (range of motion, clicking, locking)
  • Muscle palpation
  • Interaction with the bite, head posture, and neck posture

His approach emphasizes conservative, reversible treatments (rather than irreversible occlusal and teeth alterations). Some options include:

  • Oral appliances / splints
  • Gentle muscle therapies (trigger point injections, stretching)
  • Postural / ergonomic adjustments
  • The gentle jaw® device (a patented jaw stretching device invented by Dr. Hirschinger) is designed to relieve jaw muscle pain
  • Dr. Hirschinger emphasizes patient involvement: education, home exercises, self-care strategies

Primary Headaches such as Migraine, Tension, Cluster, etc.

  • Many patients suffer for years with migraine, tension-type, or cluster headaches without receiving a precise diagnosis or targeted relief.
  • Dr. Hirschinger evaluates the full spectrum of headache disorders—frequency, triggers, severity, and associated symptoms (auras, nausea, light/sound sensitivity).
  • Through detailed history, neurological and musculoskeletal assessment, we tailor treatments that may include medical co-management, muscle therapies, trigger point therapy, Botox, and lifestyle modifications.
  • Our goal: reduce frequency, severity, and disability from headaches, while minimizing side effects.

Sleep Apnea / Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is often underdiagnosed, yet contributes to morning headaches, fatigue, cognitive fog, snoring, and cardiovascular risks.
  • Many patients dislike or cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. We offer alternative therapies, such as custom dental appliances (oral devices) designed to open the airway during sleep.
  • We coordinate with physicians and sleep labs to ensure proper diagnosis and follow up.
  • Treating airway obstruction can improve sleep quality, reduce daytime symptoms, and enhance overall health.

Facial / Nerve Pain (Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Trigeminal Pain)

  • Some types of head and facial pain are caused not by muscles or joints, but by nerves—e.g. trigeminal neuralgia or other neuropathies.
  • These conditions often manifest as sharp, stabbing, burning, or electric shock–type pain, sometimes triggered by light touch, chewing, cold wind, or simple movements.
  • We diagnose nerve-based pain through detailed clinical evaluation and imaging where needed.
  • Treatment may include nerve blocks, neuromodulation, medications (in consultation with neurologists), and adjunctive therapies to manage symptoms and improve nerve health.

Why Choose Dr. Hirschinger?

Dr. Hirschinger is a Board-certified orofacial pain specialist. He completed a 2-year orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine residency at UCLA, which combined expertise from dentistry, neurology, and sleep medicine to provide comprehensive care. His philosophy is to begin with conservative, reversible treatments, ensuring that patients are never subjected to unnecessary or irreversible procedures. He believes in working collaboratively with his patients, helping them understand their condition and actively participating in their care. When appropriate, he also coordinates with neurologists, ENT, sleep physicians, other specialists, and physical therapists to deliver the most effective results. His goal is always the same: to provide lasting relief, minimize the need for invasive interventions or long-term medications, and restore a better quality of life.