What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), Tic Doulourueux or facial pain are several of the labels given to a disorder of the 5th cranial nerve (The trigeminal nerve). It stems from one or more of the branches of the nerve that supplies sensations to the face, the trigeminal nerve.  As the nerve moves away from the brain stem it divides into 3 branches.  Ophthalmic is the upper branch which provides sensation to the scalp and forehead.  The middle branch is the maxillary that carries the sensation from the cheek, top lip, upper teeth and gums.  The last branch is the mandibular that is the lower branch.  It supplies sensation to the lower jaw, gums and bottom lip.  Anyone who has experienced this pain is well, aware of how can affect your life.  Trigeminal Neuralgia is a severe stabbing electric shock type of sensation usually to one side of the face. It is regarded as one of the most painful conditions to affect people. The trigeminal nerve is a sensory nerve that is suppose to send messages to the brain from the face, (hot, cold, touch). therefore if you are experiencing Trigeminal Neruralgia pain that means that your face for some reason is sending incorrect messages to your brain.   

Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Upper Cervical misalignments, (subluxations) can distort messages to any area of your body and if those messages are coming from your face including one or more of the trigeminal nerve branches, your brain may perceive these normal messages as electrical stabbing or burning pain when there is really nothing wrong there and it really doesn’t exist in these areas. Upper Cervical Subluxations can be caused by 3 major categories; physical, chemical, or emotional stresses,  (traumas, toxins or thoughts).  Trigeminal Neuralgia does not come from a drug deficiency or too many body parts.  What this means is no drug will cure TN.  Drugs will merely mask the symptoms at best. However, in the process, you may experience a whole different set of symptoms resulting from medication side effects or the surgical procedures commonly used to try to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia's horrible symptoms.  

Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Fortunately, Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help in many cases to decrease or stop this type of pain.  Research has shown that damage to the Trigeminal Neuralgia nerve in the upper cervical spine can lead to the development of TN symptoms.  Whiplash trauma's have been demonstrated as having a massive impact in the development of TN cases..

About the Author

Dr. Roger Smith

Smith Upper Cervical Chiropractic Office

Dr. Roger Smith, a Blair Upper Cervical doctor, has been transforming lives and alleviating pain since 2000 at his Huntington Beach chiropractic office. With extensive experience as an Upper Cervical Chiropractor, Dr. Smith is here to help correct upper cervical misalignments with gentle and precise upper cervical adjustments.