If you've been waking up with a sore jaw, struggling through meals because chewing feels like a chore, or dealing with headaches that just won't quit - you're not imagining things. And you're certainly not alone. Millions of Americans live with TMJ disorders, and for too many of them, the answer they keep getting is "take some ibuprofen and try to relax." That's not a solution. That's a band-aid.
At Texas Nerve and Spine, we take a different approach. As a TMJ specialist practice with decades of clinical experience, our team doesn't just mask the pain - we go after the underlying cause. No surgery. No pharmaceuticals. Just advanced, proven therapies designed to help your body heal the way it was meant to.
Your temporomandibular joints - the two small, complex hinges on either side of your head, just in front of your ears - are responsible for every bite, every word, every yawn. They're among the most frequently used joints in your entire body. When something goes wrong with these joints or the muscles that control them, the result is a condition broadly referred to as TMJ disorder (also called TMD).
The tricky part? TMJ dysfunction doesn't always announce itself with jaw pain alone. Some people notice a persistent clicking or popping when they open their mouth. Others develop tension headaches that creep across the temples and settle behind the eyes. Some experience earaches, neck stiffness, or even shoulder pain - symptoms that often get blamed on something else entirely.
That's why so many people spend months, sometimes years, bouncing between doctors without getting real answers. If that sounds familiar, a dedicated TMJ doctor in Katy, TX can make all the difference.
TMJ disorders can look and feel different from one person to the next. But there are some hallmark signs that typically point toward a jaw-related issue rather than something else. You may want to see a jaw pain doctor in Katy, TX if you're experiencing any combination of the following:
If even a few of these ring true for you, it's worth having a conversation with a TMJ specialist who understands how the jaw, the nervous system, and the spine all work together. Because that connection matters more than most people realize.
There's rarely a single smoking gun behind TMJ dysfunction. For most people, it's a combination of factors that have built up over time. Stress is one of the biggest culprits - when we're anxious or overwhelmed, we tend to clench our jaw without even realizing it. Do that night after night, and the muscles surrounding the joint become inflamed and overworked.
Teeth grinding (what your dentist might call bruxism) is another common driver. It puts enormous pressure on the joint and can gradually wear down the cartilage disc that cushions the connection between your jawbone and skull. Physical trauma - an old sports injury, a car accident, even a hard fall - can shift the alignment of the jaw and set the stage for chronic dysfunction years down the road.
Then there's the factor most conventional approaches overlook: the nervous system. Your TMJ doesn't operate in isolation. It's connected to a complex web of nerves that run through the neck, the upper spine, and the base of the skull. When there's interference in that communication pathway - what we call a disruption in the brain-to-body connection - the muscles around the jaw can misfire, tighten, and spasm. This is exactly where a TMJ treatment plan built around the nervous system starts to shine.
At Texas Nerve and Spine, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between living with jaw pain and submitting to invasive procedures or a daily regimen of muscle relaxants. Our TMJ treatment protocol is built around a simple but powerful idea: when you restore proper communication between the brain and the body, the body can heal itself.
Here's what that looks like in practice. When you come to our Katy, TX clinic, we start with a thorough evaluation - not just of your jaw, but of your spine, your posture, your nerve function, and your overall health history. We're looking at the full picture, not just the symptom that brought you through the door.
From there, our expert panel of doctors - affectionately called "The Dream Team" by our patients - develops a personalized care plan using advanced, clinically proven therapies. These therapies are designed to reduce inflammation, release tension in the muscles surrounding the TMJ, restore proper nerve signaling, and ultimately help the joint function the way it should. No medications. No surgery. Just your body doing what it does best when the interference is removed.
For many of our patients, this approach delivers jaw pain relief they haven't experienced in years - and it lasts because we've addressed the root cause rather than just numbing the symptom.
There's no shortage of clinics that mention TMJ somewhere on their website. But there's a significant difference between a general practice that occasionally sees a jaw pain patient and a team that has spent decades specializing in nerve-based, non-surgical pain solutions.
Here's what sets us apart as the TMJ specialist Katy, TX residents trust:
Our doctors bring over 25 years of hands-on expertise treating chronic pain and nerve-related conditions, including TMJ disorders.
We don't isolate the jaw. We evaluate how your spine, your nerves, and your muscles are all contributing to the dysfunction and treat accordingly.
Our advanced therapy systems work with your body's own healing capacity. No prescriptions. No operating rooms.
When you're in pain, you shouldn't have to wait weeks to be seen. We get you in fast.
Established in 2008, our leadership team runs this practice the way they'd want their own family members treated. That's not a slogan - it's the culture patients feel the moment they walk through the door.
We've helped thousands of patients from across Katy, TX and the surrounding communities reclaim their health and get back to the activities they love - free from pain. TMJ disorders are among the conditions that respond exceptionally well to our approach, because the jaw-nerve-spine connection is exactly what our system was designed to address.
We understand that by the time most people reach out to a TMJ specialist, they've already tried a handful of things that didn't work. Maybe you've worn a night guard that helped a little. Maybe you've gone through rounds of anti-inflammatories that took the edge off but never truly resolved the problem. We get it, and we want you to know - your experience here will be different.
Your first appointment starts with a comprehensive evaluation. We'll spend time listening to your history - when the jaw pain started, what makes it better or worse, what treatments you've already tried, and how the pain is affecting your daily life. Then we'll conduct a detailed physical and neurological examination to identify the specific areas of dysfunction.
Based on those findings, we'll walk you through a personalized treatment recommendation. No pressure, no scare tactics, no upselling. Just an honest conversation about what we've found, what's possible, and what the path forward looks like. Our patients consistently tell us that the clarity they get from this first visit alone is worth the trip.
One of the most frustrating things about TMJ dysfunction is how far-reaching its effects can be. A problem that starts in your jaw can trigger a cascade of symptoms throughout your head, neck, and upper body. Chronic tension headaches, migraines, earaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and even difficulty swallowing - all of these can trace back to a malfunctioning temporomandibular joint.
This is also why many people who see a doctor for back pain, a neurologist for headaches, or an ENT for ear trouble end up going around in circles. When the TMJ is the hidden driver, treating the secondary symptoms one by one will never get you lasting relief. You have to go upstream and address the source.
That's the advantage of working with a jaw pain treatment team that evaluates the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, not just the joint that's clicking. At Texas Nerve and Spine, we routinely see patients who have been told their headaches are "just stress" or their neck pain is "just posture" - only to discover that a TMJ disorder was fueling the entire chain of symptoms. Once we correct the underlying dysfunction, patients are often amazed at how many seemingly unrelated problems begin to resolve.
Living with TMJ pain doesn't have to be your normal. Whether you've been dealing with a clicking jaw for a few months or chronic facial pain for years, the team at Texas Nerve and Spine is here to help you take the next step toward real, lasting relief - without drugs and without surgery.
Call our Katy, TX office today or fill out the form on this page to request your consultation. Same-day appointments are available, and our team responds quickly - because when you're in pain, waiting shouldn't be part of the process.
Texas Nerve and Spine - Katy, TX's trusted TMJ specialist and jaw pain doctor since 2008.
Lowe’s is opening a new store in West Katy in early September to help meet the needs of homeowners and pros in one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S. The grand opening has been set for September 4 at 9 a.m.Lowe’s of West Katy, located at 981 Heritage Oak Lane and part of the growing Texas Heritage Marketplace development, includes roughly 95,000 square feet of retail space plus 30,000 square feet of outdoor garden area.“Katy is growing fast and we’re excited to help support this community’s g...
Lowe’s is opening a new store in West Katy in early September to help meet the needs of homeowners and pros in one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S. The grand opening has been set for September 4 at 9 a.m.
Lowe’s of West Katy, located at 981 Heritage Oak Lane and part of the growing Texas Heritage Marketplace development, includes roughly 95,000 square feet of retail space plus 30,000 square feet of outdoor garden area.
“Katy is growing fast and we’re excited to help support this community’s growth and be a resource for our neighbors for generations to come,” said Store Manager Mike Spall.
The store includes all of Lowe’s latest in-store updates, blending physical showrooms with online features to provide customers with everything they need in one place, including project planning and expert advice.
Standard in all new stores, Lowe’s of West Katy has a redesigned kitchen showroom with features including:
· Centralized selling desks for installation and services projects, with larger signage showcasing promotional offerings
· Larger selection of attainable luxury appliances and kitchen products to support remodels
· Larger, more interactive product displays, including bathrooms, wet bars, laundry rooms and mud rooms
· QR codes providing customers easy access to explore online offerings, as well as links to online tools including a style quiz, budget calculator and 3D visualizer, providing a 3D rendering of your potential project
The new store will also have Buy Online Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) Zones with self-service lockers for quick, seamless pickup. Lowe’s Paint Visualizer helps customers browse a broader Sherwin-Williams color assortment online, visualize paint colors in their own spaces and match shades in store at the paint desk, while Mylow, Lowe’s AI assistant, can help customers get their projects rolling with expert guidance, product recommendations and answers to home improvement questions. It can even help customers purchase items online directly from the new West Katy store for delivery, in-store or curbside pickup.
Lowe’s of West Katy will be among the first Lowe’s stores to debut a redesigned tool section with a simplified open layout, wider aisles and lower fixture heights that create better sight lines for both customers and associates. Product categories are reorganized to create more intuitive product adjacencies, making it easier for customers to get all the DeWalt, Craftsman and Kobalt tools they need for related solutions and projects.
As homebuilders and local pros work to meet West Katy’s growing demand for new housing, Lowe’s is helping save time on estimating, quoting and sourcing materials with connected, tech-enabled tools. AI-powered Material Lists converts handwritten notes, photos, spreadsheets and other supported file types into quote-ready orders in minutes, while Blueprint Takeoffs help Pros generate material lists and estimates directly from project plans. Pro Extended Aisle expands product availability and order quantities far beyond what Pros see on store shelves, and direct-to-jobsite delivery from participating suppliers helps Pros get the materials they need where they need them. Lowe’s is giving West Katy customers more ways to save through the Lowe’s app, where MyLowe’s Rewards members can earn points on eligible purchases and access exclusive offers and member-only gifts. Loyalty members can also sign up for a HomeCare+ subscription, offering seven in-home maintenance services done twice per year by local Lowe’s store associates for just $99 a year. MyLowe’s Rewards members can also register for free monthly Kids Club workshops, where kids and caregivers can build DIY projects together and earn digital badges. These hands-on in-store experiences give families a reason to come back month after month. Learn more at Lowes.com/KidsClub. Lowe’s of West Katy is hiring for more than 100 full and part-time positions. Lowe’s is a Great Place to Work® certified employer and is Fortune’s #1 Specialty Retailer in its 2026 list of Most Admired Companies. Lowe’s invests in the total well-being of its associates, offering flexible scheduling, robust retirement options, tuition-free education assistance and comprehensive healthcare options. Candidates can visit talent.lowes.com for more information.
About Lowe's Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company with total fiscal 2025 sales of more than $86 billion. Lowe’s employs approximately 300,000 associates and operates over 1,750 home improvement stores, 540 branches and 120 distribution centers. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing, improving community spaces, helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts and providing disaster relief to communities in need. For more information, visit Lowes.com.
These days, preschool is so much more than a place to drop off your child during the workday. With play-based learning, language immersion opportunities, kinder prep, and a dedication to social, emotional, and physical wellness, preschool gives your child a space to learn, grow, and be nurtured by dedicated teachers. Plus, state-of-the-art safety features, communication apps, and nutritious meals give parents peace of mind; you can trust your little one will be safe throughout the day.With so many amazing preschool options, it can be ...
These days, preschool is so much more than a place to drop off your child during the workday. With play-based learning, language immersion opportunities, kinder prep, and a dedication to social, emotional, and physical wellness, preschool gives your child a space to learn, grow, and be nurtured by dedicated teachers. Plus, state-of-the-art safety features, communication apps, and nutritious meals give parents peace of mind; you can trust your little one will be safe throughout the day.
With so many amazing preschool options, it can be difficult to narrow it down. We looked into various curriculums, teacher certifications, ratios, play areas, extracurriculars, reviews, and facilities to find these 18 best preschools in Katy. With various approaches and opportunities, we're sure you'll find the perfect preschool for your little learner.
Preschool is an important experience for little kids. Photo via Canva
For ages: 6 weeks to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: This Katy preschool has an incredible outdoor space, complete with nature playscapes, a learning courtyard, and covered patios. They offer before- and after-school care for elementary-aged kids.
For ages: 18 months to 4 years (plus kindergarten)Why it's on our list: This Spanish immersion preschool has low teacher-to-student ratios and puts a focus on diversity and cultural appreciation. They offer an after-school program for grades K-5.
For ages: Infants to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: Primrose Schools are exceptional for kindergarten readiness. They offer before- and after-school care for ages 5-12.
For ages: 6 weeks to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: This preschool offers hands-on enrichment opportunities through Spanish language, science, movement, gardening, and music. They offer before- and after-school care for ages 5-12.
For ages: 6 weeks to 6 yearsWhy it's on our list: Canterra Ranch Montessori is known for its lovely outdoor spaces, trilingual learning environment (English, Spanish, and Hindi-Urdu), and classic Montessori approach.
For ages: 6 weeks to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: The Goddard School of Katy focuses on a cooperative learning environment for preschoolers and has added perks like an indoor gym, robotics, dance, yoga, and sign language. They offer before- and after-school care for elementary-aged kids.
For ages: 4 months to 6 yearsWhy it's on our list: All lead teachers at Montessori Haven are certified and instruct in the authentic Montessori approach.
For ages: Birth to 4 yearsWhy it's on our list: The school's science lab, cooking lab, art studio, and indoor gym let little ones explore and learn through play in age-appropriate, hands-on ways. They offer after-school care for kids in grades K-6.
For ages: 6 weeks to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: With a pre-reading and STEAM curriculum, MyPlace helps foster kindergarten readiness and a love of lifelong learning. They offer before- and after-school care for kids ages 6-12.
For ages: 3 months to 4 yearsWhy it's on our list: This Spanish immersion program uses the play-based Reggio Emilia approach to learning and has low student-to-teacher ratios. They offer after-school care for elementary-age kids.
For ages: Infants to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: This preschool is home to fully equipped Montessori classrooms; a cultural studio where they celebrate diversity through music, art, and food; and a large playground with a water pump and dry creek bed.
Related:
Playtime is an important part of learning. Photo by dotshock via Canva
For ages: Birth to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: Little Builders sits on a beautiful acre of land, employs staff who have master's and bachelor's degrees, uses the HighScope Preschool curriculum, and offers trilingual immersion in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. They offer before- and after-school care for kids ages 5-12 attending Diane Winborn Elementary School.
For ages: Infants to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: Along with the Reggio Emilia and Montessori methods, Dani Academy provides each child with a personalized learning plan. They offer before- and after-school care for elementary-aged kids.
For ages: 3 to 6 yearsWhy it's on our list: This academy combines the Cambridge Early Years, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and STEAM curriculums into a unique learning experience. It also offers Spanish, Mandarin, and sign language instruction. They offer extended care hours for students enrolled at the academy.
For ages: 18 months to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: Spanish Learning Castle offers a well-rounded preschool program for Spanish and cultural immersion.
For ages: 6 weeks to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: This preschool offers a vast assortment of ancillary programs, including Mandarin, Spanish, sign language, tumbling, sports, dance, music, and martial arts.
For ages: 6 weeks to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: This center uses a whole-child approach with a focus on kinder readiness.
For ages: 1 to 5 yearsWhy it's on our list: Personalized, project-based learning and Spanish immersion go hand-in-hand with yoga, PE, and music at Trinity Spiral School.
Katy is bursting with excellent preschools, and what's best for one family may not be the right fit for another. Some stand-out schools are Magnolia Preparatory Academy, Cinco Ranch Montessori, Montessori Reggio Academy of Katy, Alianza Preschool, and The Goddard School of Katy.
To find the right preschool, look for one that has curriculum that aligns with your child's learning style, offers a well-rounded experience, has clean and safe campus, and has caring and certified teachers. Make sure you tour a preschool before you commit so you can get an idea of if it's a good fit for your child.
While most of these facilities offer infant and toddler care, official preschool programs typically start at 3 years old.
In short, Montessori preschools follow a method created by Maria Montessori and focus on child-led learning through hands-on experiences and play. Traditional preschools typically have teacher-lead learning (though there are many different approaches to this, from traditional teaching to play-based learning).
In a basic language lesson or class, children may be exposed for a scheduled amount of time each day or week to learn language. Immersion preschools go a step further, with most instruction and speaking in general throughout the day being in the language of the program.
Live football scores for all your North Texas high school football teams.www.wfaa.comClick to check new events More Katy Games hlsjs-lite: Network error 00:00 1) Call to Order 3) Public Comments 4) Proclamation Honoring the Life of Coach Mike Johnston 5) Consent Agenda 8) Mayor & Councilmembers' ReportsJan 26, 2026 City Council 1) Call to Order 3) Public Comments 4) Proclamation Honoring the Life of Coach Mike Johnston 5) Co...
Live football scores for all your North Texas high school football teams.
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00:00
1) Call to Order
3) Public Comments
4) Proclamation Honoring the Life of Coach Mike Johnston
5) Consent Agenda
8) Mayor & Councilmembers' Reports
1) Call to Order
3) Public Comments
4) Proclamation Honoring the Life of Coach Mike Johnston
5) Consent Agenda
8) Mayor & Councilmembers' Reports
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The man who crashed a Tesla into a home in Katy, killing a 76-year-old woman, overrode the vehicle's self-driving system before the crash, according to preliminary findings released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).The NTSB is investigating the June 19 fatal crash in which a Tesla Model 3 crashed into a Houston-area home, killing Martha Avila. The driver of the vehicle, 44-year-old Michael Butler, claimed the car was in autopilot at the time of the crash, according to responding authorities.However, ...
The man who crashed a Tesla into a home in Katy, killing a 76-year-old woman, overrode the vehicle's self-driving system before the crash, according to preliminary findings released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The NTSB is investigating the June 19 fatal crash in which a Tesla Model 3 crashed into a Houston-area home, killing Martha Avila. The driver of the vehicle, 44-year-old Michael Butler, claimed the car was in autopilot at the time of the crash, according to responding authorities.
However, Butler was later arrested and charged with manslaughter after an investigation by Harris County law enforcement found he allegedly overrode Tesla’s self-driving mode. The NTSB's preliminary findings corroborate that account.
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"At the time of the crash, the driver had engaged Tesla's Advanced Driver Assistance System, Full Self-Driving (Supervised)," the NTSB wrote on its website. "Electronic data recovered from the vehicle indicated that before the crash, the driver manually overrode [Full Self-Driving (Supervised)] by pressing the accelerator pedal to 100%, and the vehicle's speed was greater than 70 mph when the crash occurred."
The NTSB noted the report released Wednesday is preliminary and subject to change.
Butler’s manslaughter case is pending. His defense attorney was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
Following the crash, Avila's daughter and son-in-law filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla and Butler. The family's attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the NTSB’s preliminary findings. The lawsuit is pending, court records show.
After the crash gained nationwide attention, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a post on his own social media platform saying authorities’ initial account of the crash — which included Butler’s claim the vehicle was in autopilot mode — "made no sense."
"FSD [full self-driving] drives slowly through neighborhood streets and this was a high-speed crash!” Musk wrote.
Ashok Elluswamy, the vice president of AI software at Tesla, responded to a post by Musk and claimed the driver manually overrode the self-driving functionality.
"In this case, the driver manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100% of the accel pedal in this residential area," Elluswamy wrote on social media. "They reached a speed of 73 mph during the crash, and had the accelerator pressed even after the crash."
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the NTSB's report.
In its Wednesday release, the NTSB said all aspects of the crash remain under investigation and it plans to issue "safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes."
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