Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a painful neurological disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for carrying signals to and from the face and brain. This condition can be debilitating, often stressful, and confusing, significantly impacting one’s quality of life.

While there is no definitive cure for trigeminal neuralgia, there are several effective ways to manage the pain and relieve symptoms.

To learn more about how Chinese Medicine can help, visit us today or get free online health advice.

How can we help?

Recent studies have shown that trigeminal neuralgia, like many other neuropathies, responds positively to Chinese Medicine, particularly Acupuncture. Its well-documented pain-relieving effects suggest that combining traditional medications with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine may deliver even better results than relying on one approach alone.

According to research, Chinese Medicine may help by increasing natural painkillers in the blood, such as endorphins, encephalins, and serotonin, which can relieve pain and calm the nerves. It also helps reduce inflammation and modulate the brain’s response to nerve stimulation. Additionally, Chinese Medicine may assist in repairing damaged nerves, regenerating nerve tissue, and improving communication within the nervous system.

The goal of Chinese Medicine is to address the root cause of nerve damage, while simultaneously relieving symptoms and strengthening both the body and mind.

This holistic approach helps you manage the physical and emotional impact of the condition more effectively.

How quickly will you see results?

While everyone responds differently, most patients start noticing improvements within 4 weeks of using Chinese herbs and attending a few Acupuncture sessions.

Finding the right approach may take some time, so we recommend weekly sessions at the start to help manage symptoms, especially if they’re frequent or severe. Once we’ve achieved steady progress, sessions can be spaced out to focus on maintaining results and preventing future flare-ups.

About Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder linked to the Trigeminal nerve, the fifth of twelve main cranial nerves responsible for transmitting sensations across the face and head, as well as controlling motor functions like chewing, smiling, and talking.

The Trigeminal nerve carries most of the sensory signals from your face, including pressure and temperature, and extends across areas such as the eyes, cheeks, temples, and jaw. It plays a vital role in how we experience sensations in these areas and helps manage basic movements.

Trigeminal neuralgia is typically classified as Typical or Atypical:

• Typical: This form causes sudden, short bursts of pain that last seconds or minutes and may come and go over several hours. These episodes can sometimes disappear for months or even years.
• Atypical: This type causes prolonged or continuous pain, usually described as aching or burning rather than sharp, and may spread across a larger area.

The main symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is excruciating, electrical pain that affects one side of the face, often around the eye, cheek, jaw, or inside the mouth. The pain is usually sudden, sharp, stabbing, or burning and can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, the pain can last hours or days, coming and going unpredictably.

Trigeminal neuralgia pain can occur spontaneously or be triggered by everyday activities, such as:

• Chewing
• Talking
• Brushing your teeth
• Smiling
• Drinking hot or cold fluids
• Physical touch
• Or even exposure to cold air

In some cases, this nerve malfunction can be triggered by trauma, head injuries, or serious conditions like brain tumours, multiple sclerosis, and other degenerative diseases that affect the nerve.

Although not life-threatening, trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. The intensity and unpredictability of the pain can lead to severe stress, emotional distress, and sometimes even depression or suicidal thoughts.

Managing stress and anxiety is an essential part of any treatment plan, whether conventional or alternative.

Luckily, there are various options available to help manage or reduce symptoms, enabling patients to lead a healthier and more active life.

Western Medicine View

The exact cause of trigeminal neuralgia remains unclear in Western medicine, though it is often associated with increased pressure on the trigeminal nerve, a phenomenon called “impingement.” This pressure is believed to come from blood vessels, which can compress the nerve and damage its protective outer layer. The result is that the nerve misfires, sending erratic pain signals that cause sharp, shooting pain in response to normal activities like eating, talking, or even touching the face.

Western treatment for trigeminal neuralgia typically focuses on managing pain. Medications like Tegretol, Trileptal, or Carbamazepine—originally designed for seizures and mania—are commonly prescribed. While these medications work well for many, their effectiveness may decrease over time, and the intensity of pain can increase. Side effects can include dizziness, memory and concentration issues, drowsiness, and headaches.

If medication doesn’t provide sufficient relief, surgical options may be considered.

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a more invasive procedure aimed at removing blood vessels pressing against the nerve. Less invasive treatments like Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) or Radiofrequency lesioning use radiation or heat to disrupt pain signals. While these procedures can provide temporary relief, they may cause side effects like facial numbness or loss of sensation.

Natural Therapies

In addition to conventional methods, many patients have found success with natural therapies, including homoeopathy, craniosacral therapy, and supplements such as methylcobalamin (a form of vitamin B).

Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chilli peppers, has been shown to desensitise the nerve when applied correctly. Capsaicin works by reducing the sensitivity of unmyelinated nociceptor nerves, which trigger pain signals. A low-concentration capsaicin cream (around 0.75%) is often prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia. For stronger effects, higher concentrations (around 10%) can be applied directly to sensitive trigger points on the face or inside the mouth.

However, caution is advised, as high-strength capsaicin can be very potent and potentially irritating.

NUCCA and Atlas Alignment

Research suggests that aligning the atlas bone may be one of the most effective treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. The trigeminal nerve extends into the brainstem, which is surrounded by the atlas bone at the top of the spine. Misalignment of the atlas bone can put pressure on the brainstem, potentially damaging the trigeminal nerve or causing the brain to misinterpret nerve signals, registering pain when there is no physical threat. This alignment can be done by a NUCCA practitioner or through Atlas Orthogonal techniques. NUCCA has been more extensively studied, and this method can take up to three weeks to show improvement. Regular check-ups are necessary to ensure the alignment is maintained. This natural approach has no known negative side effects.

Given the challenges of managing this condition, many believe that natural approaches—while minimising pharmaceutical interventions—should be a priority.

Chinese Medicine View

In Chinese Medicine, trigeminal neuralgia is often seen as an ‘invasion of hot or cold wind pathogens’ to the face, which leads to nerve inflammation and stasis. This invasion disrupts the smooth flow of Qi and blood, causing pain and discomfort in the affected areas.

Several underlying factors may make the body more susceptible to external agents, including weak organ systems, imbalances, or deficiencies. A thorough medical assessment is necessary to identify which organ systems are impacted, as this will help tailor an effective treatment plan.

Chinese Medicine treatments for trigeminal neuralgia focus on relieving pain, strengthening the immune system, and rejuvenating nerve cells while nourishing the mind and body.

Even in cases where the root cause is structural, such as vascular contact with the nerve, Acupuncture and plant-based medicine can still offer relief.  According to research, these therapies might help reduce symptoms by influencing how nerve cells transmit pain signals and activating the body’s opioid receptors, which aid in pain management and restoring natural balance.

Lifestyle Advice

While there’s no definitive cure for trigeminal neuralgia, there are simple steps you can take to boost your treatment plan and potentially reduce flare-ups.

Watch your diet

• Avoid foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold, as they can trigger pain.
• Limit spicy foods, caffeine, sugar, and processed foods—these can increase inflammation and worsen symptoms.

Manage stress

• Incorporate relaxation practices like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing techniques. These are excellent for lowering blood pressure, de-stressing, calming the mind, and supporting your overall mental health.

These lifestyle tips can improve your overall well-being and complement your treatment plan. For more personalised advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our CMIR-registered physicians, who blend Western medical knowledge with Chinese Medicine expertise.

image credit: Top image courtesy of (CSG Hoodies)