What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by intense bouts of facial pain. This chronic pain disorder affects the trigeminal nerve, which branches out throughout the face. Someone suffering from trigeminal neuralgia will experience short bursts of severe pain in the face, mouth, and/or cheeks.
There are a variety of triggers for trigeminal neuralgia, and living with this condition can be extremely stressful because it can strike at any time. The good news is that new research shows promise in treating trigeminal neuralgia by treating the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms can’t be missed. They are characterized by sudden, sharp, stabbing pain. The pain may occur in the mouth, cheeks, jaw, and, occasionally, around the nose and eyes. The painful episodes usually only last from a few seconds to a few minutes, but the pain is intense. Most sufferers describe it as feeling like an electric shock shooting through a part of their face.
Trigeminal neuralgia pain usually occurs only on one side of the face, but for some people, it may occur on both sides. These episodes of pain can be triggered by something touching the face, chewing, shaving, swallowing, or brushing your teeth. In severe cases, even a strong wind can trigger pain.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Trigeminal Neuralgia
The upper cervical spine consists of the seven uppermost vertebrae. These vertebrae begin at the base of the skull, just below the brain stem. The trigeminal nerve runs through this area from the brain stem to the face, then branches out.
When the vertebrae of the upper cervical spine are misaligned, it can cause inflammation and swelling. This may lead to pinching or compression of the trigeminal nerve, disrupting the flow of signals between the brain and the face. Misfiring nerve signals causes facial disorders like trigeminal neuralgia.
How Our Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment in Walnut Creek Works
Correcting the upper cervical spine can help relieve nerve compression and restore the flow of nerve signals, eliminating painful episodes of trigeminal neuralgia and facilitating the body’s natural healing mechanisms to take over. The upper cervical spine is a very vulnerable area that is prone to injury and difficult to treat, so it pays to go to a specialist.
Dr. Noah Kaplan of Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Walnut Creek is among the most elite Upper Cervical Chiropractors in Northern California. Dr. Kaplan is an expert in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a technique focused on using modern technology and gentle manipulations to correct the upper cervical spine most effectively and safely.
Dr. Kaplan’s office is the only Chiropractic office in Walnut Creek and the entire East Bay area to utilize Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT). This advanced 3D diagnostic imaging technology has revolutionized the chiropractic industry, allowing for more precise corrections that require less force and none of the jarring jerky snaps associated with traditional chiropractic medicine.
Upper cervical care with the Blair technique is the best way to address the underlying cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Treatment is natural, non-invasive, and drug-free. If Trigeminal Neuralgia is making life miserable for you, don’t suffer a moment longer. Contact Dr. Kaplan today to discuss a consultation about the health of your upper cervical spine. Dr. Kaplan’s office is located in Walnut Creek, California, and he also treats patients in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
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