Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a type of facial pain that can stem from many things. In most cases, it develops because of a pinched trigeminal nerve – the nerve tissue that innervates your face and controls sensation in specific areas like your mouth and eyes. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the latest developments in trigeminal neuralgia pain relief management. We will dig deep into the safety and effectiveness of these options and how they might help you cope better.
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The exact cause of trigeminal neuralgia isn't clear. However, several studies link it to several factors affecting the trigeminal nerve. When this nerve is damaged or inflamed, it can cause pain that feels like an electric shock or burning sensation. The pain is most often experienced on one side of the face, around the mouth or nose, and can range from mild to severe and can last from seconds to hours at a time. It can occur in adults and children and may get triggered by simple routinary activities like brushing your teeth or eating ice cream.
Doctors have often used conventional treatments for trigeminal neuralgia to help control the pain. These include:
Surgical intervention might also be an option, especially if a patient experiences no changes or improvements within three months after using medication or other remedies.
Researchers and doctors focusing on trigeminal neuralgia pain relief care have made significant discoveries that show potential in helping patients cope better. Based on these findings, they have developed new methods to alleviate the crippling symptoms of affected individuals. Here are some examples:
Named after the drug – botulinum toxin type A – that is injected into the muscles of the face to relax them. While aestheticians use it to manage wrinkles or fine lines, some healthcare professionals use it to relieve migraines and chronic pain. Now, researchers are testing it as a trigeminal neuralgia pain relief.
As with every medical advancement or health condition remedy, it has its pros and cons. Some benefits of botox for trigeminal neuralgia patients include:
However, there have been some reports that this treatment does not work well in more advanced cases of trigeminal neuralgia. In addition, one of its cons to keep in mind is the risk of facial paralysis. This condition causes temporary numbness or tingling in your face when you smile or frown due to nerve damage. Botox injections would temporarily paralyze these nerve fibers, so they are no longer sending messages from one part of your body.
Another injection method is FDA-approved glycerol injection. This relief option for trigeminal neuralgia can reduce the pain and frequency of attacks and even help improve sleep at night.
Glycerol injections are administered by a doctor, usually in their office or hospital setting. Doctors may administer them as soon as you come in for an appointment or after your first visit. The injection takes 15 minutes and causes no bruising or swelling, so there's no discomfort involved during this process! The benefits include:
However, like most procedures, glycerol injections might have risks and complications. Some of these include bleeding, infection, and facial hyperesthesia. We strongly suggest speaking with your doctor about it to know how you can move forward.
Whether you are intrigued or keen, it is customary to be hesitant regarding new approaches to managing chronic problems like trigeminal neuralgia. It is a sensible fear that you need not be ashamed of. At any rate, until you are most sure of how you feel about the trigeminal neuralgia pain relief options we shared above, you can address and manage your condition with upper cervical chiropractic care!
This trigeminal neuralgia pain relief source aims to keep the neck bones in the correct alignment, releasing the pressure on the irritated nerve. Upper cervical chiropractors use gentle spinal adjustments and other methods such as massage or pressure point work that may help relieve symptoms associated with trigeminal neuralgia. Furthermore, each patient undergoes sophisticated diagnostic techniques to pinpoint and measure the neck bone misalignments accurately.
The technique has shown massive potential in providing lasting and sustainable relief. This is all thanks to its targeted approach to resolving nerve compression or inflammation. Many patients swear by the effectiveness of upper cervical care and how it has redefined their approach to chronic conditions like trigeminal neuralgia. So, it may be worth trying it or using it along with your other sources of trigeminal neuralgia pain relief.
If you are curious about other developments in trigeminal neuralgia care and upper cervical chiropractic, stay tuned to the Upper Cervical Awareness blog. Also, we strongly suggest connecting with a nearby upper cervical doctor to determine if you should consider getting your C1 and C2 bones checked and adjusted.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
