Trigeminal Neuralgia
Description
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN -- tic douloureux) is a disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the nerve are distributed - lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw. The disorder most often affects one side of the face, but some patients experience pain at different times on both sides. TN is considered to be one of the most painful afflictions known to medical science.
How IUCCA Upper Cervical Care Relates to Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN -- tic douloureux) is a disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the nerve are distributed - lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw. The disorder most often affects one side of the face, but some patients experience pain at different times on both sides. TN is considered to be one of the most painful afflictions known to medical science.
Researchers have determined that TN pain originates from damage not only to the Trigeminal nerve in the face but also from damage to the central Trigeminal system in the upper spinal cord and the ponto-medullary levels in the brainstem.1-5 Therefore, trauma to the head and neck (concussive trauma to the head, neck, or upper back) that results in injury to nerve pathways in the spinal cord and brain stem has been shown in medical literature to be a possible cause of TN.5-15 Following the trauma, facial pain can be triggered immediately or can take months or years to develop.
The purpose of IUCCA upper cervical chiropractic care is to reverse the trauma-induced upper neck injury; thereby reducing irritation to the nerves in the brain stem and spinal cord that can trigger TN. While many TN sufferers recall specific traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents or falls, some do not. An upper cervical examination utilizingLaser-aligned Radiography and Digital Infrared Imaging is necessary in each individual's case to assess whether an upper cervical injury is present and whether benefit from IUCCA upper cervical care can be achieved.
