Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder that can cause some of the most severe facial pain imaginable. If you’ve ever wondered, “what is trigeminal neuralgia?” or are searching for effective treatments, understanding this condition is the first step toward relief.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics with this disorder and then cover a few treatments, including non-invasive treatments we have used to help treat our San Diego patients struggling with this issue.
First, what is trigeminal neuralgia?
What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux, is a nerve disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve—the main nerve responsible for sensation in your face. The condition is characterized by sudden, intense episodes of facial pain, often described as stabbing, electric shock-like, or shooting sensations.
These attacks can last from a few seconds to up to two minutes and typically affect one side of the face, involving areas such as the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, and occasionally the eye or forehead.
Pain attacks can be triggered by even the lightest touch or routine activities like brushing your teeth, chewing, talking, or, in extreme cases, even exposure to wind. Between attacks, some people may experience a dull ache or burning sensation, while others have periods of complete remission.
At Intouch Chiropractic, we see in our patients that TN is more common in women and people over 50. But it can occur at any age to both men and women.
What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?
The most common cause of trigeminal neuralgia is compression of the trigeminal nerve, usually by a nearby artery or vein pressing against the nerve where it enters the brainstem. This pressure can wear away the nerve’s protective myelin sheath, making the nerve hypersensitive and prone to sending pain signals.
In some cases, TN may be secondary to other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, tumors, cysts, or facial injury. Sometimes, no clear cause can be identified, which is referred to as idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Here are some of the more common symptoms we hear about from patients:
- Sudden, severe, shock-like facial pain
- Pain lasting from seconds to minutes
- Pain triggered by touch, chewing, speaking, or even a breeze
- Pain typically on one side of the face
- Facial muscle spasms during attacks
- Dull ache or burning between episodes
Now that we’ve covered the basics regarding trigeminal neuralgia, let’s get into how it is treated.
How Is Trigeminal Neuralgia Treated?
While trigeminal neuralgia can be persistent and debilitating, a range of effective treatments are available, ranging from traditional interventions like medication and surgery, to non-invasive treatments like chiropractic care.
Here are the most common ways to treat this disorder:
- Medications like anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants
- In extreme cases, surgery
- Nerve blocks
Today, chiropractic care is becoming an alternative option for treating trigeminal neuralgia because it comes without the risks of surgery and medication. We always recommend our patients follow the advice of their primary care doctor, however if you are considering all of your options, here is why chiropractic care is a good option for treating trigeminal neuralgia.
Chiropractic Care for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Chiropractic care is considered a possible and increasingly popular treatment option for managing trigeminal neuralgia symptoms. While it does not cure the underlying cause, upper cervical chiropractic care can provide significant relief by addressing nerve interference and improving spinal alignment, particularly in the upper cervical spine, which may reduce pressure on the trigeminal nerve.
At Intouch Chiropractic, our doctors practice a chiropractic method called NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association). This technique is non-invasive and does not involve any popping, cracking or twisting of the neck or spine. NUCCA focuses on the alignment of the spine, specifically the top vertebrae in your spine, and how it interacts with the skull.
To learn more about how the expert team at Intouch Chiropractic may be able to help you, schedule a consultation with us today.
“I’ve been going to Intouch Chiropractic for a better part of this last year, and after 10 years of different conventional chiropractor treatments, my migraines went away completely within 2 weeks of NUCCA treatment. I’d been suffering for migraines for 17 years and have tried everything. I’m thankful for more pain free days, it was a great upfront investment but when you’re in chronic pain 4-5 days a week, you’ll pay almost anything to try to get better. I’m glad I chose this office.” – Intouch Chiropractic Review by Emilia F.
