Trigeminal Neuralgia: My Recovery from Extreme Pain
About a year ago, I suddenly developed severe and excruciating pain on the left side of my face. It was undoubtedly the most severe pain I’ve experienced; in fact, even worse than the pain after fracturing my collar bone early in 2022. Based on the pain pattern and the severity, it appeared that I was experiencing Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is so unbearable that some people even sadly commit suicide after not getting the right help. “Neuralgia” means nerve pain and “trigeminal” is the name of the fifth cranial nerve, with three main branches on the side of the face. Since it provides the nerve supply to the gums and teeth, it’s a highly pain-sensitive group of nerves.
Even though I was not able to find a position to offer any relief from the extreme pain, I was forced to persevere. My wife suggested a pain killer, but that could make an acute problem a chronic one and I knew that the body can release its own pain killers, when necessary. With the help of deep breathing, I was able to finally fall asleep and gratefully woke the next morning feeling about 75% better.
I then visited my dentist to rule out any possible dental pathology, but none was found. I told her that I probably just need to visit my chiropractor, which didn’t make sense to her, as most doctors and dentists aren’t taught about the benefits of chiropractic adjustments for this condition.
After my routine visit to my chiropractor the following day, the pain was completely gone when I awoke the next morning. Fortunately, it only lasted about 4 days and I haven’t had any problems like this since, and no tics or muscle twitches that are often associated with this condition.
Sadly, many people that develop this problem don’t fair so well. Many have teeth removed needlessly and most are prescribed toxic and addictive drugs, which “may result in vague neurological symptoms in milder cases, but in severe toxicity, it can cause cardiovascular instability, intractable seizures, and coma,” according to a case report published last year. As a last resort, some even have surgery. (see image below of surgical scars).
As my example has shown, chiropractic care can help the brain and nervous system to naturally recover from this debilitating problem. Every individual is different, so the healing time can vary. Many case studies have been published (see links in references below), with countless more unpublished success stories found in many chiropractic offices around the world, including many during my career.
Anatomical research has revealed that a major sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve is found in the spinal cord extending down between C2 and C4. This provides some clue as to how a specific and gentle adjustment to the upper cervical spine can also improve the function and healing capacity of this cranial nerve.
We can likely help most people recover from this extremely painful problem and without scars and side effects, while even helping with other problems as their brain and body become better acquainted once again.
by Dr SJ NANA, DrNana.co.za
References:
Please spare my teeth! Dental procedures and trigeminal neuralgia
8 Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Side Effects You Should Know About
Neurologic toxicity of carbamazepine in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
Chiropractic Management Of a Patient with Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Case Report
Atlas orthogonal chiropractic management of trigeminal neuralgia: A series of case reports
Primary trigeminal neuralgia and the role of pars oralis of the spinal trigeminal nucleus
Please see my previous articles related to this topic:
