Trigeminal Neuralgia: Common Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options. 

Explore Trigeminal Neuralgia With Vitality Chiropractic Australia

Are you struggling with severe trigeminal neuralgia pain? Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, responsible for sensation in the face and scalp. This condition causes sudden, severe, electric-shock-like pain that can last from a few seconds to several minutes—or, in extreme cases, hours. Simple daily activities such as brushing your teeth, chewing, talking, smiling, or even feeling a cool breeze on your face can trigger intense facial pain. While trigeminal neuralgia is more common in women over 60, it can affect anyone at any age, significantly impacting quality of life. At Vitality Chiropractic Australia, we’re highly sought after for gentle, non-invasive approaches to help manage trigeminal neuralgia symptoms. Our chiropractic care, particularly upper cervical chiropractic and Atlas Orthogonal techniques, focuses on reducing symptoms of nerve irritation to reduce pain and improve daily function.

Understanding Trigeminal Neuralgia: Causes and Symptoms

Trigeminal neuralgia, often referred to as facial nerve pain, is caused by irritation or dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve, one of the twelve cranial nerves. Common triggers include:

  • Everyday activities: Brushing teeth, chewing, talking, or applying makeup.
  • External stimuli: Cold air, wind, or light touch on the face.
  • Nerve compression: Often due to blood vessels pressing on the trigeminal nerve or structural misalignments in the upper cervical spine.

Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include:

  • Sudden, electric-shock-like pain in the cheeks, jaw, or forehead.
  • Episodes of pain lasting seconds to minutes, sometimes recurring frequently.
  • Increased sensitivity to touch or temperature changes on the face.

If you’re searching for natural trigeminal neuralgia relief or chiropractic for facial nerve pain, our team at Vitality Chiropractic Australia is here to help.

Anatomy of the Trigeminal Nerve

The trigeminal nerve is one of the twelve cranial nerves that originate in the brainstem and extend to the face and scalp. Unlike spinal nerves, which emerge from the spinal cord, cranial nerves directly connect the brain to specific areas of the head and neck. The trigeminal nerve has three branches:

  1. Ophthalmic branch: Supplies sensation to the forehead, eyes, and upper scalp.
  2. Maxillary branch: Affects the cheeks, upper jaw, and sides of the nose.
  3. Mandibular branch: Controls sensation in the lower jaw, lips, and chin.

Trigeminal neuralgia most commonly affects the maxillary and mandibular branches, causing pain in the cheeks, jaw, or lips. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine or pressure on the brainstem can contribute to trigeminal nerve irritation, making chiropractic care a promising option for many sufferers.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Trigeminal Neuralgia

At Vitality Chiropractic Australia, we take a holistic approach to managing trigeminal neuralgia. Our focus is on addressing the the severe facial pain that sufferers report through upper cervical chiropractic care. The upper cervical spine (the top two vertebrae in the neck) is closely connected to the brainstem and cranial nerves, including the trigeminal nerve. Misalignments or spinal dysfunction in this area can contribute to nerve dysfunction and pain.

Our Approach: Atlas Orthogonal Technique – We specialize in the Atlas Orthogonal technique, a gentle and precise chiropractic method that corrects misalignments in the upper cervical spine without forceful adjustments. This technique is ideal for trigeminal neuralgia sufferers because it:

  • Reduces nerve irritation: By realigning the atlas (C1 vertebra), we alleviate pressure on the brainstem and trigeminal nerve.
  • Improves nervous system function: Proper alignment enhances communication between the brain and body, potentially reducing pain frequency and intensity.
  • Enhances daily function: Patients often report less pain, reduced sensitivity, and an improved ability to perform everyday tasks like eating, talking, or smiling.

Our patients seeking chiropractic for trigeminal neuralgia in Melbourne have experienced benefits such as:

  • Decreased intensity of facial pain episodes.
  • Reduced frequency of pain triggers.
  • Improved quality of life and ability to enjoy daily activities.

If you’re looking for a natural treatment for trigeminal neuralgia or non-invasive facial pain relief, our chiropractic care may be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Traditional Treatments for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Other conventional treatments for trigeminal neuralgia include:

Medications

  • Anti-convulsants: Commonly prescribed drugs like Tegretol, Carbatrol, or Gabapentin aim to reduce nerve firing. Side effects may include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, or confusion.
  • Anti-spasmodics: Medications such as Gablofen or Lioresal help relax muscles but may cause similar side effects.

Surgical Options

In rare cases, when medications or other therapies are ineffective, surgical interventions like microvascular decompression or nerve ablation may be considered. These procedures carry risks and are typically a last resort. We believe in exploring non-surgical trigeminal neuralgia treatment options first to avoid the risks and side effects of medications or invasive procedures.

Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief

Living with trigeminal neuralgia can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Vitality Chiropractic Australia, we offer a natural, non-invasive approach to help you manage facial pain and reclaim your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how our chiropractic solutions for trigeminal neuralgia can make a difference. Book your appointment now and start your journey to natural trigeminal neuralgia relief with Vitality Chiropractic Australia.

Chiropractor Trigeminal Neuralgia Research

  • Spinal manipulation and cranial mobilisation may positively influence causes of trigeminal neuralgia and therfore offers a conservative, low cost approach option. Pederick, F. (2005). Cranial and other Chiropractic adjustments in the conservative treatment of chronic trigeminal neuralgia. A case report. Chiropractic Journal of Australia, 35(1); 9 – 15
  • In cases where Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms are exacerbated by cervical spine or TMJ syndrome then particular forms of manual therapy may be worth consideration. Rodine, R., & Aker, P. (2010). Trigeminal neuralgia and Chiropractic care: A case report. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 54(3); 177 – 186
trigeminal neuralgia treatment is helpful for reducing pain.
CALL NOW: 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR