Do you have a kid diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia? Are you struggling to provide ample guidance and assistance to improve your child's symptoms and lessen their impact on daily life? Have you exhausted every possible trigeminal neuralgia pain relief option but failed to see improvements? Let's help you figure things out for yourself and your child. 

But, first things first. You must have a full grasp of your child's condition. So what is trigeminal neuralgia? How does it even work and affect a person's overall well-being?

Trigeminal neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerve. It causes severe facial pain, usually on one side of the face. The pain can come and go without warning, throwing off you and your child and causing significant discomfort and anxiety. Here are some tips you should keep in mind if you want to provide better care for a child with trigeminal neuralgia:

#1. Understand the Symptoms

The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia can vary from child to child. But, you should look out for severe facial pain triggered by simple everyday activities such as brushing teeth in the morning, chewing, or talking. The pain can be sudden and sharp, and it may last for seconds to minutes at a time. Your child may also experience muscle spasms in the face or numbness or tingling in the affected area.

#2. Work with Your Child's Healthcare Team

Developing an effective treatment and care plan is among the crucial steps to help your child cope better. So you should work closely with your child's pediatrician, nerve doctor, dentist, or Upper Cervical Chiropractor. Doing so will help you identify medications, procedures, or techniques that you can explore to relieve pressure on the trigeminal nerve. Your child's healthcare team can help you understand the benefits and risks of each option and guide you in making the best decision.

#3. Create a Pain Management Plan

Trigeminal neuralgia can be an excruciating condition. So, you plan how you can help manage your child's pain. This may include using medications, such as anticonvulsants or antidepressants, to reduce the frequency and severity of pain episodes. You may also want to consider non-pharmacological pain management techniques, such as relaxation exercises, heat or cold therapy, massage therapy, or Upper Cervical Chiropractic care.

#4. Be Supportive and Understanding

Experiencing searing facial pain can be scary for a child. Hence, being as supportive and understanding as possible can make a huge difference. Listen to your child's concerns and fears, and provide a safe and nurturing environment to express their emotions. Encourage your child to participate in activities they enjoy, but be mindful of their pain triggers and limitations.

#5. Educate Yourself and Others

Trigeminal neuralgia is rare, and many people may not be familiar with it. Take the time to educate yourself and others about the condition, its symptoms, and its impact on your child's life. This can help reduce stigma and promote understanding and empathy.

#6. Advocate for Your Child

As a parent, you are your child's advocate. So, it would help if you learned as much as you can about the experience to speak up and advocate for their needs. This may include working with your child's school to develop a plan to accommodate their needs, coordinating with your child's healthcare team, or advocating for your child's rights in the community.

#7. Take Care of Yourself

Caring for a child with trigeminal neuralgia can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Hence, you must take breaks when needed, seek support from friends and family, and prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies.

#8. Consider Seeking an Upper Cervical Chiropractor to Help Your Kid Enjoy Lasting Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain Relief

Indeed, trigeminal neuralgia can be challenging. But with the proper support and care, your child can learn to manage their symptoms and live a full and happy life. Remember to work closely with your child's healthcare team, create a pain management plan, be supportive and understanding, educate yourself and others, advocate for your child, and care for yourself. 

Additionally, we suggest tapping into Upper Cervical Care. This would be an excellent option, especially if your child had neck and head injuries. Has your child fallen off a swing? Have you brought your child to the hospital because of car collision-related neck injuries? 

Your child's facial pain may have a connection with neck bone misalignments. Find out if this is the case by scheduling a quick consultation with a trigeminal neuralgia chiropractor. Upper Cervical Care is a gentle technique that works well for many people, like kids and senior adults. It would be best to book your appointment with a nearby Upper Cervical Chiropractic practice to understand more about how this technique works in providing natural trigeminal neuralgia pain relief.