# NorCal Headache Relief Center (NorCal TMJ & Sleep Apnea Clinic)

> Oral Medicine practice in San Carlos, California built on one idea:
> compression creates compensation. The Head & Neck Decompression Method™
> evaluates three areas of compression — cranial, TMJ, and airway — together
> to understand headaches, TMJ disorders, facial pain, neck pain, ear
> symptoms, teeth grinding, worn teeth, sleep apnea, and tongue tie before
> recommending treatment (including oral appliance therapy as a CPAP
> alternative). Serving Northern California from San Francisco to the
> Monterey Peninsula.

Clinic facts:

- Address: 1785 San Carlos Ave, Unit 4, San Carlos, CA 94070, USA
- Phone (call or text): (650) 369-9227 · Fax: (650) 369-9241
- Email: office@drtmjsleepapnea.com
- Hours: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 8am-5pm
- Doctor: Dr. Dina Hammouda, DDS, MSD, DABOM — board-certified Oral Medicine
  specialist (Diplomate, American Board of Oral Medicine; Fellow, Royal
  College of Surgeons of Edinburgh); creator of the Head & Neck Decompression
  Method™
- Google rating: 5.0 from 120+ reviews
- No referral is necessary for most patients

## Key pages

- [Homepage](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/): Homepage — NorCal Headache Relief Center (powered by NorCal TMJ & Sleep Apnea): compression creates compensation; understanding pain begins with understanding function
- [The Head & Neck Decompression Method™](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/how-we-think/): The Head & Neck Decompression Method™ — compression creates compensation; three areas of compression (cranial, TMJ, airway); decompress, reassess, restore function
- [About Us](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/about-us/): About Us — our philosophy, Dr. Dina Hammouda's biography and credentials, When It Became Personal, our team, and our San Carlos office
- [When It Became Personal](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/my-story/): When It Became Personal — Dr. Dina Hammouda's own patient experience that shaped the Head & Neck Decompression Method™
- [The evaluation](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/evaluation/): The evaluation — finding the primary source of strain; individualized, not a routine checklist
- [Conditions we evaluate](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/): Conditions we evaluate (hub: headaches, TMJ disorders, facial pain, neck pain, ear fullness, teeth grinding, worn teeth, sleep apnea, tongue tie)
- [Headaches](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/headaches-migraines/): Headaches — evaluating the structures placing strain on the head and neck
- [TMJ disorders](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/tmj-disorders/): TMJ disorders — jaw support, clicking, locking, and why the jaw is under strain
- [Facial pain](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/facial-pain/): Facial pain — why the face is under strain; shared muscles, nerves, and joints with the jaw, neck, and airway
- [Neck pain](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/neck-pain/): Neck pain — what the neck may be compensating for
- [Ear fullness, ear pain & tinnitus](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/ear-pain-fullness-tinnitus/): Ear fullness, ear pain & tinnitus — when the jaw and surrounding structures contribute
- [Teeth grinding & clenching](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/clenching-grinding-tooth-wear/): Teeth grinding & clenching — understanding why the forces developed
- [Worn teeth](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/worn-teeth/): Worn teeth — finding the source of the forces before rebuilding the teeth
- [Sleep apnea & airway](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/sleep-apnea-airway/): Sleep apnea & airway — evaluation and oral appliance therapy as a CPAP alternative
- [Tongue tie](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/tongue-tie/): Tongue tie — how restricted tongue function may affect the airway, jaw, posture, and sleep
- [Trauma & whiplash](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/trauma-whiplash/): Trauma & whiplash — adaptations that outlast the injury
- [Long-term stability](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/conditions/long-term-stability/): Long-term stability — supporting healthy function for the future
- [Treatments overview](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/ways-we-help/): Treatments overview — Head & Neck Decompression™, Jaw Support Therapy™, and supporting forms of care
- [Head & Neck Decompression™](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/ways-we-help/head-neck-decompression/): Head & Neck Decompression™ — gentle manual treatment to reduce unnecessary strain
- [Jaw Support Therapy™](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/ways-we-help/jaw-support-therapy/): Jaw Support Therapy™ — lower appliance supporting natural jaw function
- [Results](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/results/): Results — clinical results and patient experiences (Google reviews)
- [For referring doctors](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/for-doctors/): For referring doctors — referral channels and consultation reports
- [New patients](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/new-patients/): New patients — what to expect, forms, insurance, scheduling; no referral necessary for most patients
- [TMJ evaluation & treatment](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/tmj-evaluation-treatment/): TMJ evaluation & treatment (myofascial release, trigger point injections, TENS, photobiomodulation, orthotic splint therapy, myofunctional therapy, orthopedic realignment)
- [Sleep apnea evaluation & treatment](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/sleep-apnea-evaluation-treatment/): Sleep apnea evaluation & treatment (OASYS oral appliance therapy, NightLase; non-invasive CPAP alternatives)
- [Invisalign evaluation & treatment from a TMJ-health perspective](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/invisalign-evaluation-treatment/): Invisalign evaluation & treatment from a TMJ-health perspective
- [Services overview](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/services/): Services overview
- [Resources](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/articles/): Resources — educational articles on headaches, TMJ, sleep, the airway, and how the head and neck function together
- [Dr. Dina Hammouda, DDS, MSD](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/our-doctors/): Dr. Dina Hammouda, DDS, MSD — Diplomate, American Board of Oral Medicine
- [Mission, vision, values](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/our-philosophy/): Mission, vision, values
- [Insurance: out-of-network with most providers; Superbill provided to submit to your insurance](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/insurance/): Insurance: out-of-network with most providers; Superbill provided to submit to your insurance
- [New patient intake forms](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/new-patient-forms/): New patient intake forms (sleep apnea and TMJ questionnaires)
- [Request an appointment](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/request-an-appointment/): Request an appointment
- [Contact, address, hours, map](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/contact-us/): Contact, address, hours, map
- [Patient testimonials and verified Google reviews](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/customer-feedback/): Patient testimonials and verified Google reviews (5.0, 120+ reviews)

## Articles

- [What The Diary of a CEO Got Right About Sleep Apnea](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/what-the-diary-of-a-ceo-got-right-about-sleep-apnea/): You can sleep 8 hours and still wake up exhausted. What a viral Diary of a CEO conversation got right about sleep apnea — and why the real question is how well you breathe while you sleep.
- [The Connection Between TMJ Disorders and Vestibular Conditions: What the Evidence Shows](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/the-connection-between-tmj-disorders-and-vestibular-conditions/): Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems may be linked to TMJ dysfunction. What the evidence shows about the TMJ-vestibular connection — and how bite stabilization may help.
- [The Hidden Link Between Your Jaw, Sleep, and Headaches](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/the-hidden-link-between-your-jaw-sleep-and-headaches/): Research reveals a powerful connection between chronic headaches and two common conditions: temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Understand the root cause of your headaches and the non-drug treatments that can help.
- [Understanding Sudden Bite Changes: Types, Diagnosis, and Evidence-Based Treatment](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/understanding-sudden-bite-changes-types-diagnosis-and-evidence-based-treatment/): Introduction: Sudden bite changes can be a surprising and distressing experience. These alterations in the way your teeth come together can often be
- [Unlocking the Mystery of TMJ Disorders: Frequently Asked Questions and Expert Answers](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/unlocking-the-mystery-of-tmj-disorders-frequently-asked-questions-and-expert-answers/): Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders can be a source of discomfort and confusion for many individuals. If you’re seeking answers to your TMJ-related
- [Holistic Approaches to Headache Relief: Exploring Non-Invasive Solutions](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/holistic-approaches-to-headache-relief-exploring-non-invasive-solutions/): Introduction: Headaches are a common ailment affecting millions of people worldwide, varying in intensity, frequency, and causes. While some headaches are
- [Why Are You Snoring? Understanding the Causes and Solutions](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/why-are-you-snoring-understanding-the-causes-and-solutions/): Do you find yourself or your loved ones frequently disturbed by the sound of loud snoring during the night? Snoring is a common issue that affects many
- [Understanding the Impact of Untreated TMD on Your Life](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/understanding-the-impact-of-untreated-tmd-on-your-life/): Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) can have profound effects on your daily life, and it’s important to grasp how leaving it untreated can influence your
- [If you suspect that you have TMD](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/if-you-suspect-that-you-have-tmd/): TMD can manifest in various ways, including jaw pain, headaches, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, and difficulty with jaw movement. Here are some
- [What is TMJ](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/what-is-tmj/): The TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull’s temporal bone, located in front of your ear on both
- [History of Norcal TMJ Sleep Apnea Clinic](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/history-of-norcal-tmj-sleep-apnea-clinic/): San Francisco Sleep Apnea dentist and TMJ dentist Dr. Mark Abramson served patients from San Francisco down to the Monterey Peninsula. He invented the OASYS
- [Advantages of using splint therapy for TMJ pain](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/advantages-of-using-splint-therapy-for-tmj-pain/): Pain Relief: Splint therapy can provide effective relief from TMJ pain by properly aligning the jaw and reducing pressure on the temporomandibular joint
- [TMJ Treatment In Northern California](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/tmj-treatment-in-northern-california/): Understanding TMJ Treatment: Evaluation Methods and Options Introduction: Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) can be a source of significant discomfort
- [Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/the-symptoms-of-tmj-dysfunction/): Many people have commonly used “TMJ” to refer to what is actually “TMD,” which stands for TemporoMandibular Disorders. TMD encompasses various symptoms
- [Causes of TMD](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/causes-of-tmd/): The causes of TMJ disorders are numerous and can be challenging to pinpoint. These disorders can arise from various factors, often with multiple stressors
- [Advantages of Using Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/advantages-of-using-a-mandibular-advancement-device-mad/): Introduction Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by the repeated cessation of breathing during sleep due to the collapse
- [Sleep Apnea Treatment In Northern California](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/sleep-apnea-treatment-in-northern-california/): Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of complete or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading
- [Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/obstructive-sleep-apnea-symptoms/): Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when throat and tongue muscles relax, blocking your airway and causing breathing interruptions at night. OSA affects
- [What Is sleep Apnea](https://drtmjsleepapnea.com/what-is-sleep-apnea/): Understanding Sleep Apnea: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment Options Sleep apnea syndrome is a condition that affects countless individuals, and its hallmark

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