From An Upper Cervical Chiropractic Perspective

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Facial pain before and after neck alignment (video)

Learn why Trigeminal Neuralgia may be more common than we know. What treatment options are available for TN and other kinds of facial pain. And why neck alignment matters in cases of facial pain.

“Like my face was on fire.” That’s how some people with Trigeminal Neuralgia describe the condition.

Others describe is as an “icy ache” or “being stabbed.” And some may only describe it as an annoying tingle.

Whatever words used to describe the facial pain, to many with TN, the condition feels oppressive and uncontrollable. And to make matters worse, there often doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason why the facial pain will show up – and then suddenly disappear.

Is Trigeminal Neuralgia happening more than we know?

Trigeminal_Nerve_Pain_AnatomyTrigeminal neuralgia is the primary cause of facial pain. But TN is not common. Officially speaking, I’ve worked with about 10 TN patients over the past 7 years.

But I’ve also worked with many more who have experienced periods of facial numbness, tingling, and burning, but who have never gotten a diagnosis. So even though less than 2 million people have been diagnosed (according to the National Pain Foundation) I believe the condition happens more often than we know.

For some the flare-ups are infrequent enough to be mistaken for tooth pain. Or sinus pressure. Or TMJ pain.

Does alignment matter in cases of facial pain?

There aren’t a lot of reassuring treatments for facial pain. A TN diagnosis can be scary.

Most with TN will start out with strong pain killers, and possibly even anti-seizure medications. Some will be lucky enough for the pain to slowly fade away, and not come back for months, to even years.

Many will start looking for healing that begins with their dentist, or their primary care provider, and then continues to neurologist or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor).

And what about alternative methods?

Popular web sources like Mayo.com list some of the alternative medicine therapies, like acupuncture, biofeedback, and vitamin therapy.

But there’s perspective that people with facial pain need to hear: the neck and spinal alignment perspective.

If TN and facial pain patients go searching online for help, they’ll probably discover the neck alignment perspective on support forums for Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Problem neck alignment is the often over-looked condition that many with facial pain discover is a major source of their pain.

The above video from YouTube, is also featured on Facebook, and feature a case of facial pain. The patient involved didn’t have an official diagnosis of facial pain. But his pain was intense, felt like fire, and was referred for a neurological diagnosis.

You can read the patient feedback in this post:

Excruciating facial pain not responding to medication

You an also read more about Trigeminal Neuralgia and the neck here:

Four Stories about Trigeminal Neuralgia and upper cervical chiropractic from the Facial Pain Foundation

Coming off Trigeminal Neuralgia meds after upper cervical chiropractic

Are you looking for a second opinion on your Trigeminal Neuralgia or facial pain? Call our office at (248) 598-4002.

DrZWard
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