Trigeminal neuralgia is probably one of the conditions you want to get a hard pass on. Imagine having to feel pain just by trying to live normally? Though this condition is not life-threatening, trigeminal neuralgia pain is among man’s most excruciating forms of pain. But thankfully, there are several care options to help relieve trigeminal neuralgia in Rochester. Let’s take a closer look at its symptoms, triggers, and care options below.
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What Triggers Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Cold breeze or air conditioning
A cold environment can trigger facial pain in those who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia. In addition, the cold air gives painful sensations to the face, so living in places with cold seasons and even air conditioning is challenging for trigeminal neuralgia patients.
Chewing food and swallowing
This is probably the most challenging experience for people with trigeminal neuralgia. Apart from giving our body’s nutritional needs, eating and chewing should be a happy and pleasant experience, but not when it’s going to cause you pain when it shouldn’t. Any slight movement that can trigger an action from your muscle, joint, or vein in your face can bring pain.
When eating is starting to become a very uncomfortable experience, it’s a sign that you need to consult with a doctor to find the most effective methods to relieve trigeminal neuralgia in Rochester. Otherwise, this can result in nutrition problems. So make sure you book that appointment as soon as possible so you can learn helpful tips in switching to a soft diet.
Shaving
This is especially applicable to men who shave facial hair regularly. Shaving is not ordinarily painful apart from accidental nicks and cuts. However, a slight discomfort near your cheeks while shaving might be one of the many tell-tale signs of trigeminal neuralgia. This is because your trigeminal nerve roots extend to the cheeks. When these nerve endings feel even the slightest pressure, it can fire pain signals to the brain.
Washing your face or brushing your teeth
These are basic grooming routines that generally should not be painful. For example, brushing your teeth is supposed to protect your teeth from damage and stop the overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. So when this basic human routine brings excruciating pain regularly, it’s probably not a sign of a dental problem.
Sudden head movements
Abrupt movements may compress your trigeminal nerve and trigger pain.
Kissing
It can be excruciating when you squeeze on your cheeks or move your lips if you have trigeminal neuralgia.
Talking
Another basic human routine that can bring unbearable pain to patients with trigeminal neuralgia is talking. If you experience this problem, we urge you to seek an expert’s advice to help manage the pain and relieve trigeminal neuralgia in Rochester.
Walking and other activities that cause movement or vibrations
Movement can trigger pain in those with trigeminal neuralgia. That’s why some people experience a sharp, stabbing, painful twitch to the face while walking, running, jogging, or getting behind the wheel.
What are the Telling Signs of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
People with trigeminal neuralgia can experience varying symptoms and experience varying pain tolerance. These symptoms include:
- A sudden jolt of pain on your face, jaw, or one cheek
- Pain in the front side of one ear
- Numb sensation on the face
- Irritating tooth pain
These symptoms will usually affect one side of the face. The pain also comes and goes and can worsen without warning. For example, one day, you may experience stabbing sensations and feel normal the day after.
Natural Ways to Relieve Trigeminal Neuralgia in Rochester
Trigeminal neuralgia has natural care options, so you don’t need to rely on pain relievers. Instead, here are some simple and holistic remedies that might work wonders for you:
Warm and Cold Compress
A warm or cold compress will provide temporary relief when there’s a flare-up of facial pain. Heat can reduce the tension in your facial muscles, which likely adds pressure on the trigeminal nerves. While a cold compress helps reduce inflammation that just the same puts pressure on the sensitive nerves in your head and face.
Applying Gentle Pressure
We have established that even the slightest pressure can cause excruciating pain for those who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia. But some people can find relief when applying gentle pressure on specific points of the cheeks, forehead, or parts of the jaw.
Peppermint
Studies claim that peppermint has anti-pain and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied topically, it can give a cooling effect that might come in handy in easing muscle tension in the head and upper body.
Ginger
Ginger is a popular herbal remedy for pain, so it’s not surprising that some people use it to manage trigeminal neuralgia. Studies have long proven that the pain-relieving feature of ginger comes from its anti-inflammatory ingredients. So, you might find it helpful to apply ginger-infused oil or liniments when trigeminal neuralgia pain occurs.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic adjustments
This perfectly safe and gentle method is another natural and highly effective remedy for trigeminal neuralgia. When your upper cervical spine suffers an injury, inflammation, or misalignment, you can experience a variety of health-related conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia.
Some people with trigeminal neuralgia have experienced car accidents, sports injuries, and other physically traumatic incidents affecting the head and neck area. These incidents can cause your C1 or C2 vertebra or the two major bones in the neck to be out of alignment.
When these bones become displaced, they can irritate or compress the nerves, causing sensitivities and pain. Upper cervical chiropractors like Dr. Cicala can provide precise adjustments to relieve your symptoms.
Book a consultation with Balanced Living Chiropractic & Functional Medicine
We use safe and gentle techniques to help bring back the alignment of your upper cervical bones. Once aligned, your organs can function again correctly, and your brain and body will be able to communicate without disruption.
If you are looking forward to living a pain-free life, then it’s time to call us and book your appointment. We are open from Monday to Thursday. All you have to do is book your slot by calling us at 248-831-0729 or filling out this form. We promise to do our best to help you relieve trigeminal neuralgia in Rochester.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation, call 248-831-0729 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.