Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common type of neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux. The trigeminal nerve supplies various areas of the face, including the cheeks and jaw. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterised by sudden jolts of shooting pain that usually affect one side of the face only. Sometimes, a person experiences pain on both sides of the face, though at alternating times. The pain may be severe enough to cause spasms of the facial muscles (tic).
Robina 7 Day Doctors and Acupuncture recommend this video on Trigeminal neuralgia acupuncture:
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia can include:
- Localised pain
- The area may be excruciatingly sensitive to touch, and any pressure is felt as pain
- The pain can be sharp or burning, depending on the affected nerve
- The affected area is still functional
- The muscles may spasm.
TREATMENT OPTIONS:
Treatment options include:
- Treatment for the underlying cause – such as dental treatment and antibiotics for a tooth abscess, or surgery to remove bone pressing against the nerve
- Pain-relieving medications – such as aspirin or codeine
- Anticonvulsant medications – to treat the pain and muscle spasms associated with trigeminal neuralgia
- Acupuncture
acupuncture treatment may specifically help to relieve neuropathic pain by:
- Reducing hypersensitivity induced by spinal nerve ligation, an effect dependent on the opioid system
- Inhibiting paclitaxel-induced allodynia/hyperalgesia through spinal opioid receptors
- Influencing the neurotrophic factor signalling system, which is important in neuropathic pain
- Acting on areas of the brain known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the ‘analytical’ brain, which is responsible for anxiety and worry
- Increasing the release of adenosine, which has antinociceptive properties
- Improving muscle stiffness and joint mobility by increasing local microcirculation which aids dispersal of swelling;
- Reducing inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors
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