Chiropractic has helped people suffering with trigeminal neuralgia.

The pain experienced from trigeminal neuralgia is excruciating. Many patients are left on painkillers with no hope for help.  Chiropractic offers a natural supportive strategy that helps reduce the pressure on the nerve system at different key locations.

“I have been a patient of Erin Mills Optimum Health since 2007.  The care and treatment that I receive is that of excellence and compassion.  I suffer from Trigeminal Neuralgia – otherwise referred to as the Suicide Disease.  The pain accompanied with this condition is extreme and debilitating, with little medication available to deal with pain.  Chiropractic has been a ‘life line’ for me, without this, I would not have any quality of life.  The mental impact of the condition is a challenge each day.  Erin Mills Optimum Health has allowed me to deal with life in a positive and healthy way – so happy they are in my life.  – K.H.”

Enjoy this testimonial from one of my Mississauga patients before coming to Caledonia. However, a result for one patient may not be typical of all patients. Our aim is to help you have an excellent experience at our office and to help you reach your health goals.

What is the trigeminal nerve?

The trigeminal nerve supplies many nerves to the face as seen in the featured image.  The nerve comes through the skull bones and can be irritated by these openings as well as the jaw (TMJ).  The trigeminal nerve originates along the brainstem and into the upper neck at the base of the skull.  Pressure on this nerve creates the painful condition called trigeminal neuralgia.

How can Chiropractic help with Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Since the nerve originates in the spinal cord, pressure created by vertebral subluxations in the upper neck can irritate trigeminal neuralgia.  By specifically adjusting these subluxated vertebrae, the pressure can be slowly released from the spinal cord and these nerves, reducing the excruciating pain and allowing the patient to get back to their naturally healthy selves.  By also checking and adjusting the jaw (TMJ), any pressure created by the jaw on the trigeminal nerve branches can be reduced as well.

Here is a 2015 research report on Resolution of Facial Neuralgia Following Reduction of Atlas Subluxation Complex:   A Case Study

Here are some great excerpts from a 2016 research paper titled Resolution of Trigeminal Neuralgia Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Using Quantum Spinal Mechanics 3 (QSM3)

“Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), “tic douloureux,” French in origin meainging “painful smasm,” is a widespread neurological disorder…”

“TN is a condition derived from neurological origin involving segmental demyelination of the trigeminal nerve and its sensory branches. Advanced research has shown that injury to the myelin, caused by compressive forces on the microvasculature supplied to the trigeminal nerve, can lead to demyelination and over activity of the nerve. Demyelination of the trigeminal nerve can take place in the nerve root or at its location exiting the pons.3,4 Although the exact etiology of TN remains unclear, several causes have been found to contribute to the formation of TN. Trigeminal neuralgia is usually caused by an intracranial artery (anterior inferior cerebellar artery and ectatic basilar artery) or, less often, a venous loop that compresses the 5th cranial (trigeminal) nerve at its root entry zone into the brain stem.6 Less common causes include compression by a tumor, multiple sclerosis plaque at the root entry zone, an aneurysm, or by a whiplash injury, causing a subluxation to the upper cervical region.3,6 “

“A 55-year-old female patient presented with a chief complaint of Trigeminal Neuralgia, affecting her right jaw region. The patient claims her symptoms were experienced at least once a day and included spontaneous, intermittent pain paroxysms that were aggravated by activities such as chewing, talking and stress related interactions. The patient reported that her symptoms began six months prior to her seeking medical treatment and was diagnosed by her neurologist with TN.” – Unfortunately for this patient, the drugs did not help her pain or the occurrences of trigeminal neuralgia.

Discussion:

“By incorporating Kent’s models of vertebral subluxation, the dysafferentation model can be used to propose a theory of how the upper cervical vertebral subluxation in this case led to the relief of symptoms caused by TN. Kent explains, “as a consequence, biomechanical dysfunction may result in an alteration in normal nociception and/or mechanoreception.” These alterations may result in postural abnormalities affecting tone. Furthermore, it is believed that “correcting the specific vertebral subluxation cause is paramount to restoring normal afferent input to the CNS, and allowing the body to correctly perceive itself and its environment.”16″

“Structural Consideration The trigeminal nerve (CN V) is anatomically considered the largest of the cranial nerves; predominantly providing sensation to majority of the face, as well as supplying motor innervation to muscles located around the jaw involved in chewing and biting. CN V nuclei (a collection of cell bodies) are located in the middle portion of the brainstem; the pons.19″

“According to source based chiropractic literature, patients diagnosed with TN and receiving chiropractic care, have shown to improve in pain symptomatology when receiving chiropractic adjustments in the upper cervical spine.3, 21 ,22″

“Chiropractic literature and research based upper cervical care, have shown to benefit those suffering from this condition, as well as other neurological deficits produced by spinal misalignments found in the C1 or C2 regions.3,21-28 “

” “If misalignments of the cervical spine are to affect the spinal cord a mechanical linkage must exist between the osseous structures and the spinal cord.” Grostic observed that “anterior rotation of the atlas on the side to which the atlas has laterally deviated with the lateral traction it may be possible to put traction directly on the sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve at the level of the first and second cervical vertebrae.” This investigation has led to the advancement in clinical chiropractic practice in effort to treat TN, as well as many other neurological deficits stemming from the upper cervical region.23,25,26  “

“Consequently, stress exerted on the spinal cord due to cervical vertebral misalignments, along with constant mechanical irritation, may result in venous occlusion; which can lead to a depletion of oxygen and nutrients delivered and supplied to the nervous system. Also, Grostic noted that delivery of blood is critical to the nervous system and if there is an obstruction, an increase in irritability of nerve tracts will occur leading to increase sensitivity on the nerves, perceived usually as pain.23″

“The chiropractic management of a 55-year-old patient suffering from trigeminal neuralgia is presented in this case study. Comprehensive improvement and alleviation of symptoms were achieved and recorded. “

-Fortunately for this person, her symptoms were able to alleviate with the help of Chiropractic.  I hope this happens for you as well.

Here are some excerpts from a 2019 case report research paper from the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research titled:

Reduction of Chronic Trigeminal Neuralgia Following Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic Care: A Case Report & Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT
Objective: To report on positive health outcomes in the case of a 62 year-old female diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care.
Clinical Features: A 62-year-old female presented to the clinic with a chief complaint of chronic right sided facial pain of 2 years duration. Following the initial examination the patient was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia.
Intervention & Outcomes: The patient received upper cervical-specific chiropractic care using the NUCCA technique. Twenty-six adjustments were performed over the course of six months. SOAP notes and surface electromyography were utilized to assess initial status and progress. Significant reductions in episodic frequency, duration and affected area were realized through this non-invasive approach.
Conclusions: The results from this case, when evaluated in the context of similar evidence, suggests that upper cervical-specific treatment for reduction and/or correction of atlas subluxation can produce positive outcomes in patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. These findings highlight the importance of further investigation of the atlas subluxation complex and its relationship to trigeminal neuralgia.

“During the fifth week, the patient was seen twice. At the
seventh visit the patient reported pain still at 10/10 over the
smaller area, but the affected area had decreased to the size of
“a half dollar piece over the right ear, and duration of episodes
had decreased from 60 minutes to 25 minutes. Additionally,
the frequency of episodes had decreased from six episodes per
day to three. The patient was only seen once during the fifth
week.”
“At the tenth visit the patient reported pain intensity during the
episodes had decreased from 10/10 to 8/10, and the duration of each episode had again diminished, this time from 25 minutes to 15 minutes.”
“The patient is still under care. To date, the results of upper
cervical specific care for this patient could be described as a
33% reduction in frequency of symptoms, 20% reduction in
intensity, 75% reduction in duration, and approximately 90%
reduction in affected area. The patient still cannot eat, brush
her teeth, or drive a car during an episode. However, with the
overall reduction of her symptoms, the patient has regained
almost full function in her activities of daily living.”
“Conclusion: The results from this case, when evaluated in the context of similar evidence, suggest that upper cervical-specific
chiropractic treatment for reduction and/or correction of atlas
subluxation can produce positive outcomes in the treatment of
trigeminal neuralgia.”

[This patient suffered for many years before she was able to move the direction of her face pain towards a level in which she was able to function at her activities of normal everyday living.  Unfortunately, the pain would still occur.  Fortunately, the pain was less intense, occurred less often and for a lesser amount of time, in a smaller area on her face.  It is interesting to note that the effort was not instantaneous with respect to the adjustment.  This patient and Chiropractic team took a lot of commitment and effort to reduce the pressure of her atlas on her spinal cord, allowing time for the body to change and heal.  I hope this patient continues to experience that direction of recovery into the future and would be curious to hear how she does.  This is the same for my patients in Caledonia.  It takes effort to heal on both the patient’s side and the Chiropractor’s side with chronic and painful conditions such as this. ]

This next case study (2019) is a unique one in that the patient had a combination of medical diagnosis.  Meniere’s Disease is discussed on another blog.  The patient also had a unique spine in that some of the bones in her neck were congenitally fused (she was born with some bones in her neck stuck together).   These conditions were brought on after a history of a fall to the head as well as a car accident in her past.  Fortunately, Chiropractic care was able to help her:

Reduction of Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease & Trigeminal Neuralgia Following Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic Care: A Case Study

Here to help,

Dr. Callum Peever
Chiropractor in Caledonia