I've been dealing with TMJ for about 10 years and it got especially bad following a basketball injury. Over the years, I tried multiple specialists, dentists, and physical therapists hoping for relief. Each visit followed the same pattern - brief consultations, generic advice, and pamphlets about TMJ management. I spent countless dollars on treatments that never addressed the root problem. Most places would give me exercises to do at home or suggest a night guard, but no one actually worked on the jaw itself.

The pain affected everything - eating, talking, even sleeping. Some days my jaw would lock up completely. I tried anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, custom mouth guards, and even considered more invasive procedures. Friends and family kept suggesting new doctors, but after years of disappointment, I was skeptical about trying yet another practitioner. The chronic pain was wearing me down both physically and mentally.

Cha PT took a different approach. They listened to my history and started hands-on treatment during the first visit. They explained what they were doing and worked directly on the jaw muscles and joints. The treatment was uncomfortable but I could tell something was actually happening. Unlike other places, they didn't just give me homework - they actually addressed the problem with their hands.

Dr. Cha also gave me specific exercises that were much more effective than anything I'd tried before. These weren't generic stretches from a pamphlet, but targeted movements designed for my particular issue. He checked up on me regularly to see how I was progressing with the exercises and adjusted them as needed. Having that consistent follow-up made a huge difference.

After consistent sessions over a couple months, my TMJ pain improved significantly. I could eat normally again without wincing, and the constant tension in my face started to fade.